What can NDIS funds be used for

You can use NDIS funds for services, items, and equipment that help you live more independently and reach your goals. These supports must be directly related to your disability and be considered "reasonable and necessary" by the government.

TL;DR: What NDIS Funding Covers

Your NDIS plan is designed to pay for the extra costs that come with having a disability. Since the major rule changes on 3 October 2024, there is now a very clear "Approved Support List." This list covers things like personal care, therapy, home modifications, and support to join community activities in Victoria.

Generally, NDIS funds cannot be used for everyday living costs like rent, groceries, or bills. However, they can be used for things that help you overcome the barriers your disability creates. This includes hiring support workers, buying wheelchairs, or getting help to find a job in Melbourne. If a support helps you be more independent or stay safe, it is likely covered.

The Four Main Budgets in Your Plan

To understand what you can buy, you first need to look at how your plan is divided. In 2026, most plans have four main parts.

Core Supports: These are for your everyday needs. This is the most flexible part of your plan.
Capacity Building: These are for learning new skills and building your independence.
Capital Supports: These are for high-cost items like equipment or changes to your home.
Recurring Supports: These are regular cash payments made to your bank account, usually for transport.

Each budget has its own rules. You cannot usually move money from "Capital" to "Core," but you can often move money between different "Core" categories to suit your weekly needs.

What Can I Spend My Core Funding On?

Core funding is the "workhorse" of your plan. It is meant to help you with the things you do every single day.

1. Assistance with Daily Life

This is for hiring support workers. They can help you with showering, dressing, and cooking. In Victoria, many participants use this to have a worker help them with household chores or yard maintenance that they cannot do themselves.

2. Consumables

These are everyday items you use up quickly. This includes things like continence pads or specialized eating utensils. It also covers "Low-Cost Assistive Technology" (items under $1,500) that you can buy from a shop or online.

3. Assistance with Social and Community Participation

This pays for a support worker to take you out. You might go to a footy match in Melbourne, visit a library in Craigieburn, or join an art class. Note that it pays for the worker's time, but not usually your entry ticket or class fee.

Can I Buy a Laptop with NDIS Funding?

The short answer is: only in very specific cases. You cannot buy a laptop just for fun, gaming, or general internet browsing.

To buy a laptop or tablet with NDIS funds, you must show it is "Assistive Technology." This means you need it specifically because of your disability. For example, you might need a tablet to run a special communication app because you cannot speak. Or you might need a laptop with special software to help you learn because of a cognitive impairment.

In 2026, you usually need a letter from a therapist (like an OT or Speech Pathologist) to prove this. They must explain why a standard laptop is a "disability support" for you. Without this evidence, the NDIS will see it as an "ordinary living cost" and will not pay for it.

How is NDIS Transport Funding Paid?

Transport funding is handled differently than other supports. It is often paid as "Recurring Funding."

How you receive this depends on your plan:

Periodic Payments: The NDIS pays a set amount of money directly into your bank account every two weeks. You do not need to show receipts for this. You can use it for taxis, Ubers, or paying a friend to drive you.
Worker Transport: You can use your "Core" funding to pay a support worker to drive you around in their own car. You usually pay them a per-kilometre rate.

In Victoria, many participants also use the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP). This is a state-based card that gives you 50% off taxi fares. You can use your NDIS transport money to pay the remaining 50%. This is a great way to make your budget last longer in Melbourne.

What is Capacity Building Funding?

This budget is all about the future. It pays for things that help you become less dependent on others over time.

Common uses for Capacity Building include:

Therapy: Seeing a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, or Psychologist.
Support Coordination: Hiring a professional to help you manage your plan and find providers in Victoria.
Employment Support: Help with writing a resume or practicing for job interviews in Melbourne.
Improved Living Arrangements: Help finding a new place to live or learning how to be a good tenant.

This funding is "fixed." This means if you have $5,000 for "Therapy," you cannot spend it on "Employment Support" instead. You must use it for exactly what is written in your plan.

Capital Supports: Big Items and Home Changes

The Capital budget is for one-off, expensive purchases. These usually stay with you for many years.

Assistive Technology (AT)

This covers things like power wheelchairs, hearing aids, or specialized beds. Because these are expensive, you usually need a formal quote and an assessment from an expert before you can buy them.

Home Modifications

If you need a ramp installed at your home in Victoria, or your bathroom made accessible, this budget pays for the builders and materials. It ensures you can stay safe and independent in your own house.

Things the NDIS Will Not Fund

There is a clear list of "Non-allowable supports." These are things the government says the NDIS should never pay for.

You cannot use NDIS funds for:

General Income Support: Use the Disability Support Pension (DSP) for this.
Day-to-day Living Costs: This includes rent, mortgage, electricity, and standard groceries.
Health and Medical Costs: Things like GP visits, hospital stays, and standard medication are covered by Medicare, not the NDIS.
Illegal Activities: Anything that breaks the law is banned.
Alternative Therapies: The NDIS usually will not pay for things like crystal healing or "cuddle therapy" because they are not backed by science.

What is the Replacement Support List?

Sometimes, you might need something that is on the "Not Allowed" list, but it is actually a vital support for your disability.

In 2026, you can apply for a "Replacement Support." This is a special request to use your funding for something that is usually banned. For example, if a specific type of non-standard exercise is the only thing that helps your physical condition, you can ask for a substitution.

To do this, you must write to the NDIS. You need to prove that the replacement support is better value for money or works better than the standard NDIS support. In Victoria, we suggest working with your Support Coordinator to write this request.

How Made To Help Assists You with Spending

We are a registered NDIS provider in Victoria. We help you use your funds wisely so you get the most out of your plan.

We provide Support Coordination to help you navigate the complex "PACE" system. We can help you find therapists in Melbourne and explain what you can and cannot buy. We also provide direct care workers who can assist you with your daily life and community goals.

Our team focuses on your choice and control. We want you to feel confident when spending your NDIS budget. You can learn more about how we help with support coordination on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a gym membership with NDIS?

Generally, no. The NDIS sees a gym membership as a standard living cost that everyone pays for. However, they will pay for a Personal Trainer or an Exercise Physiologist if you need them because of your disability.

Does NDIS pay for my internet bill?

No. The internet is considered a standard household cost. However, if you need a very high-speed connection for a specific communication device, you might be able to get a small part of it covered as a "consumable."

Can I use my NDIS funds for a holiday?

The NDIS will not pay for your flight, your hotel, or your food while on holiday. However, they will pay for a support worker to go with you to provide the care you need while you are away.

What happens if I spend my money on the wrong thing?

If you spend NDIS money on a "non-allowable" support, you might have to pay the money back. In 2026, the NDIS uses "debt recovery" to get back money that was used incorrectly. Always check the list first!

How do I contact Made To Help about my budget?

You can visit our website to speak with one of our local experts. We serve Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Please go to our contact page to get started today.