Core Supports

Flexible funding for everyday supports and activities.

What it means

Core Supports is one of the three budgets in an NDIS plan, alongside Capacity Building and Capital. It funds the everyday assistance and activities that help you manage daily life and take part in your community.

Core covers four main areas: assistance with daily life (such as help with personal care or tasks at home), assistance with social and community participation, consumables (everyday items linked to your disability), and transport. It is usually the most flexible budget, which means funding can often be moved between these supports to suit your needs.

In practice

Because Core is generally flexible, you can often use funding across different supports without needing to change your plan. For example, you might use some of your Core budget for support workers one week and shift a little toward community activities another week, as long as the supports are reasonable and necessary and relate to your goals.

How you spend Core depends partly on how your plan is managed. If you are self-managed or plan-managed, you usually have more choice over providers. If your plan is agency-managed, you use NDIS-registered providers. Transport funding can sometimes work a little differently, so it is worth checking your plan. Keeping simple records of what you spend helps you make your budget last across the length of your plan.

A real example

For example, Priya has Core Supports funding in her plan. She uses part of it to pay a support worker who helps with cooking and cleaning during the week, and the rest to join a weekend art group in her community. Because Core is flexible, she can adjust how much goes to each without changing her plan.

Core Supports — FAQs

What does Core Supports fund?
Core Supports funds everyday assistance and activities. It covers four areas: assistance with daily life (like personal care and help at home), assistance with social and community participation, consumables (everyday disability-related items), and transport. It is designed to help you manage daily life and take part in your community, in line with your goals.
Is Core Supports funding flexible?
Yes, usually. Core is generally the most flexible NDIS budget, so funding can often move between its supports without changing your plan. For example, you might shift funding between support workers and community activities. Transport can sometimes work differently, and all spending must still be reasonable, necessary, and linked to your goals.
Can I use Core Supports to pay any provider?
It depends on how your plan is managed. If you are self-managed or plan-managed, you can generally choose registered or non-registered providers. If your plan is agency-managed, you use NDIS-registered providers only. Checking how your plan is managed helps you understand which providers you can use with your Core budget.
What is the difference between Core and Capacity Building?
Core funds everyday assistance and activities and is usually flexible across its supports. Capacity Building funds supports that build your skills and independence over time, such as therapy and support coordination, and its funding is generally tied to specific categories that are not flexible between each other. They work together in your plan for different purposes.
How do I make my Core Supports budget last?
Plan your spending across the full length of your plan rather than the first few months. Keep simple records of what you use, and check your remaining balance regularly. Because Core is flexible, you can adjust between supports as needs change. If funding looks like it may run short, speak with your support coordinator or the NDIS early.

Explore more NDIS resources

Official NDIS sources

Novida is an independent directory, not the NDIA. We explain each form in plain English and link you to the official copy — always download and submit the current version from the official website, as forms are updated from time to time.