NDIS Capacity Building Supports

Offered by National Disability Insurance Agency

One of four NDIS plan budgets that can fund skill-building supports such as therapy, employment supports, social participation, behaviour support, learning supports and plan-management help for eligible participants across Australia.

<h2>What it is</h2><p>Capacity Building Supports are one of four support budgets that can appear in an approved National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan. According to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), this budget is intended to build skills so participants can do more for themselves and work toward their goals. Plans are individual: not every participant receives funding in every budget or category.</p><h2>What it can fund</h2><p>Official NDIA guidance says a capacity building budget can include funding in up to nine support categories, including:</p><ul><li>Support coordination</li><li>Improved living arrangements</li><li>Increased social and community participation</li><li>Finding and keeping a job</li><li>Improved relationships (including behaviour support and social skills development)</li><li>Improved health and wellbeing</li><li>Improved learning</li><li>Improved life choices (including plan management supports)</li><li>Improved daily living (including assessments, training and therapies such as speech therapy or occupational therapy)</li></ul><p>Capacity building categories are <strong>stated supports</strong>. That means funding generally cannot be moved between those categories and must be used for the NDIS supports described against each category in the plan.</p><h2>Who it is for</h2><p>This is not a separate open program that anyone can join without NDIS access. Capacity building funding appears only after a person becomes an NDIS participant and receives relevant plan funding. To apply to the NDIS, official eligibility rules require age, residence, and disability and/or early intervention requirements. Autism is not automatically approved by diagnosis alone; the NDIA assesses permanent impairment impact and support need, or early intervention criteria.</p><h2>How families start</h2><ol><li>Check NDIS eligibility and connect with a local NDIS partner using the official office finder, or call 1800 800 110.</li><li>Work with treating health professionals to gather supporting evidence.</li><li>Complete an application with an NDIS partner or through an access request form.</li><li>Submit the application via the partner, the NDIS service hub, mail to NDIA GPO Box 700 Canberra ACT 2601, or a local office.</li><li>Wait for a decision. Official guidance says the NDIA aims to respond within 21 days after the application and supporting evidence are submitted.</li></ol><p>If a plan is already approved, review which capacity building categories are funded and use only the supports allowed in each stated category. Confirm current details on <a href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-funding/different-budget-types/what-are-capacity-building-supports" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ndis.gov.au</a> because rules and local arrangements can change.</p><p><em>This listing is general information only and is not legal, financial or medical advice. Families should confirm eligibility and plan details with the NDIA or a qualified adviser for their own situation.</em></p>

Eligibility

Capacity Building Supports are available only through an approved NDIS plan. To become an NDIS participant, official NDIA rules require: (1) age 0–64 years when applying (younger than 65 on the day of application); (2) living in Australia and being an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category visa holder; and (3) meeting the disability requirements, early intervention requirements, or both. Disability requirements generally involve a disability related to a permanent impairment that significantly affects everyday activities and is likely to need NDIS supports over the lifetime. Early intervention requirements cover impairments likely to be permanent, or children younger than 6 with developmental delay, where early supports are expected to improve function or reduce future support need. An autism diagnosis alone does not automatically establish eligibility. Always confirm current rules on the official NDIS eligibility pages.

How to apply

1) Connect with a local NDIS partner via the official office finder, or call 1800 800 110 if you are unsure who your partner is. 2) Gather supporting evidence from treating health professionals. 3) Complete the application with your NDIS partner or by using an access request form. 4) Submit via your partner, the NDIS service hub, mail to NDIA GPO Box 700 Canberra ACT 2601, or a local NDIS office. 5) Wait for the NDIA decision; official guidance says a response is provided within 21 days after the complete application and evidence are submitted. After a plan is approved, check which capacity building categories are funded before buying supports.

At a glance

Source and verification

Last source check: August 5, 2026

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