Managing Different Budget Types
Understand the three NDIS budgets, Core, Capacity Building and Capital, what's flexible, what isn't, and what funding can move between categories.
Your NDIS plan isn't one pot of money. It's usually made up of three budgets, and each works differently, especially when it comes to how freely you can use it. Understanding the difference is what lets you use your plan well and avoid nasty surprises. This guide explains Core, Capacity Building and Capital, what's flexible in each, and what can move between categories.
The three budgets at a glance
Core: the most flexible
Capacity Building: tied to outcome areas
Capital: tied to specific items
What can move between categories
Using the budgets together
Frequently asked questions
What are the three NDIS budgets?
Core, Capacity Building and Capital. Core covers everyday supports for daily life and is the most flexible. Capacity Building funds skills and independence and is split into outcome areas. Capital covers one-off, higher-cost items like assistive technology and home modifications and is the least…
Which NDIS budget is the most flexible?
Core. Funding can generally be moved between different Core supports as your needs change, often without a formal plan change. Capacity Building is less flexible because it's divided into specific outcome areas, and Capital is the least flexible because it's tied to specific assessed and approved…
Can I move funding between my NDIS budgets?
Generally no. You usually can't move funding freely between Core, Capacity Building and Capital. There's real flexibility within Core, less within Capacity Building, and very little in Capital. If your needs have changed so much that the split no longer fits, a plan variation or reassessment is the…
Why can't I use my Capital funding for something else?
Because Capital is usually tied to specific items that have been assessed, quoted and approved, such as a particular piece of equipment or a home modification. That funding is meant for that item and generally can't be redirected. A change in needs usually calls for a plan variation or reassessment…
What is 'stated' funding?
Stated funding is money set aside in your plan for a particular purpose, so it can't be redirected to other supports even within the same budget. Some Core funding can be stated. Your plan shows whether any of your funding works this way, so it's worth checking before assuming a support is flexible.
How should I use the three budgets together?
Use Core for day-to-day support, Capacity Building for skills and independence, and Capital for equipment and modifications, tracking each separately rather than as one lump. Planning Capacity Building early helps beat waitlists, and Tracking Your NDIS Budget and What You Can and Cannot Claim…