For most NDIS participants, Core Supports is the largest and most frequently used funding category in their plan. It is also the most flexible — giving participants the ability to move funding between most subcategories to respond to changing needs. But with that flexibility comes the responsibility of understanding what Core Supports can and cannot be used for.
Using your NDIS funding correctly is not just about compliance — it is about making sure your budget works as hard as possible to achieve your goals and improve your daily life. In this guide, we explain the four subcategories of Core Supports, what each one funds, and where the boundaries lie.
What Is Core Supports in the NDIS?
Core Supports is one of three main funding categories in an NDIS plan, alongside Capital Supports (which covers assistive technology and home modifications) and Capacity Building Supports (which funds therapies and skill development aimed at increasing independence).
Core Supports funds the everyday supports that help you complete daily activities, participate in the community, and live the life you choose. It is the most immediately practical of the three categories — paying for the tangible, day-to-day assistance you need right now.
The Four Subcategories of Core Supports
Core Supports is divided into four distinct subcategories, each covering different types of supports:
1. Assistance with Daily Life
This is typically the largest subcategory within Core Supports. It funds paid support workers who help you with everyday living activities, including:
- Personal care — showering, dressing, grooming, and hygiene assistance
- Meal preparation and cooking
- Household tasks — cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and home maintenance
- Medication management (under direction of a health professional)
- Overnight and sleepover support
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and Respite care
- Independent Living Options (ILO)
Assistance with Daily Life is the subcategory that funds your SIL arrangement if you live in supported accommodation, as well as any in-home support workers who assist you on a regular basis.
2. Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
This subcategory funds supports that help you access and participate in community activities, social events, and recreational pursuits. Examples include:
- Community access support — assistance getting to and attending appointments, classes, events, or activities
- Group activities and centre-based programs
- Support to volunteer or engage in employment-related activities
- Attending social or recreational activities
The key purpose of this subcategory is to support your social inclusion and community participation — helping you connect with others, pursue interests, and engage with life beyond the home.
3. Consumables
Consumables covers everyday items that are directly related to your disability. These are typically lower-cost items that you need regularly, such as:
- Continence products (pads, catheters, bed protection)
- Low-cost assistive technology items under a certain price threshold
- Nutritional supplements prescribed for disability-related health needs
- Wound care products
- Sensory and communication aids (lower-cost items)
Consumables funding is specifically for items that are directly related to your disability. General household products or items you would purchase regardless of your disability cannot be funded from this subcategory.
4. Assistance with Transport
This subcategory funds transport assistance when a person with disability is unable to use public transport independently due to their disability. It can cover:
- Taxis, rideshare, or other transport arrangements to appointments and activities
- A contribution to the cost of transport provided by a support worker
- Transport to access funded supports
It is important to note that transport funding has specific rules. It does not automatically fund the full cost of all travel — the NDIA assesses transport funding based on your individual need and your ability to use public transport.
The Flexibility Rule: Moving Funding Between Core Subcategories
One of the most valuable features of Core Supports is that — in most cases — funding can be moved flexibly between the four subcategories (excluding transport, which sometimes has its own rules). This means that if you have underspent in one area, you can use that funding in another Core area where you need more support.
For example, if your Assistance with Daily Life budget has some remaining funds late in your plan year, you might use those funds to access additional community participation activities. This flexibility allows you to respond to changing circumstances and get more out of your plan.
However, there is an important limitation: Core Supports funding cannot be moved into the Capital Supports or Capacity Building categories, and vice versa. Each of the three main categories is ring-fenced.
What Core Supports Cannot Fund
Understanding what Core Supports cannot pay for is just as important as knowing what it covers. The NDIS will not fund the following from your Core Supports budget:
Day-to-Day Living Costs
The NDIS does not fund ordinary, everyday living expenses that everyone pays — regardless of disability. This includes:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Groceries and food (beyond specific disability-related nutritional supplements)
- Utility bills (electricity, gas, internet)
- General clothing and household items
- Entertainment and leisure expenses that are not disability-related
- Pet ownership costs
Medical and Health Costs
The NDIS is not a substitute for the health system. Medical and clinical costs that should be covered by Medicare or private health insurance are generally not fundable through Core Supports. This includes:
- GP visits and specialist medical appointments
- Hospital treatment
- Prescription medications (beyond medication management support by a worker)
- Dental, optical, and other health services covered by Medicare or health funds
Supports Not Linked to Your Disability
The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary and directly related to your disability. If a support is not connected to the functional impact of your disability, it cannot be funded. For example, a support worker accompanying you to a social event is fundable; paying for your ticket to that event generally is not.
Supports Already Funded by Other Systems
The NDIS will not fund supports that are the responsibility of another government system or funding source. This includes education supports that should be funded by the school system, employment supports covered by Disability Employment Services (DES), and aged care supports for participants who are eligible for the aged care system.
Capital Items Above the Low-Cost Threshold
Higher-cost assistive technology items (above the low-cost threshold, currently $1,500) must be funded from the Capital Supports budget, not Core Supports. Purchasing a wheelchair, communication device, or home modification using Core Supports funding would not be appropriate.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Core Supports Budget
Making the most of your Core Supports funding requires some planning and awareness. Here are some practical tips:
- Track your spending regularly — use the myNDIS participant portal or work with your plan manager to monitor how your budget is tracking throughout the plan year
- Use the flexibility rule wisely — if you have surplus in one subcategory and a deficit in another, discuss with your support coordinator or plan manager whether reallocation is appropriate
- Communicate changing needs early — if your circumstances change and your supports are no longer appropriate, request an unscheduled plan review rather than waiting until the end of your plan year
- Keep records of your supports — especially if you are self-managing, maintaining clear records of how your Core Supports funding is used is important for transparency and audit purposes
- Understand your support agreements — your service agreements with providers should clearly outline the supports being delivered and the costs, making it easier to track value and usage
How Liberty Health Services Can Help You Use Your Core Supports
At Liberty Health Services, we provide a range of supports funded through Core Supports, including Supported Independent Living (SIL), in-home personal care, community participation, and daily living assistance. Our team works closely with participants, families, and support coordinators to make sure every person we support is getting the most out of their NDIS plan.
If you have questions about how your Core Supports funding works, or if you would like to explore what supports we can deliver for you, contact our team today. We are here to help you understand your plan and live the life you choose.
Summary
Core Supports is a powerful and flexible funding tool — but it comes with clear rules about what it can and cannot fund. The four subcategories (Assistance with Daily Life, Social and Community Participation, Consumables, and Transport) cover a wide range of everyday supports, and the flexibility to move funds between most subcategories makes it responsive to your changing needs. However, Core Supports cannot fund everyday living costs, medical expenses, or supports outside your disability-related needs. Understanding these boundaries will help you use your plan with confidence and get the outcomes that matter most to you.
