Person-centred NDIS support · Ballarat & regional Victoria
Your NDIS plan can feel like a lot to take in. This plain-English guide explains the three budget types, what each one pays for, and how to use your funding to get supports started.
We support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants across Ballarat and surrounding areas in regional Victoria.
Your plan splits your funding into up to three budgets. Each one has a different job, and understanding what each pays for makes it much easier to use your plan with confidence.
Your everyday, most flexible budget. Core helps with daily life and getting out into your community. It commonly funds assistance with daily activities, help around the home, consumables, transport, and social and community participation. You can often move funding between most Core categories.
Funding to build your skills and independence over time, so you can work toward your goals. It is set aside in separate categories, such as improved daily living, and the amount for each category is usually fixed. This is where skill-building supports sit.
Funding for higher-cost, one-off items. Capital covers assistive technology and equipment, home or vehicle modifications, and specialist disability accommodation. It can only be spent on the specific item it is approved for.
Most of the supports we provide are funded from either Core or Capacity Building. Here is a simple guide to where they usually sit. Your plan is unique, so it is always worth checking the wording together.
You can see the full range on our services page. If you are not certain which budget a support comes from, get in touch and we will help you make sense of your plan.
How your plan is managed decides who pays your providers and which providers you can choose. There are three ways, and your plan can use more than one at the same time.
You manage your own funding, keep the records and pay your providers. This gives you the most choice and flexibility, and you can work with a wide range of providers.
A plan manager, funded by the NDIS, looks after your invoices and payments. You still choose your supports and providers, with the paperwork taken care of for you.
The NDIA pays your providers directly through its portal. With this option, you can only use providers that are registered with the NDIS.
We support self-managed and plan-managed participants. Agency-managed plans need a registered provider. To learn more about your choices, read our guide on using an unregistered NDIS provider.
Once you know how your budgets work, starting supports is straightforward. Here is a simple way to move from your plan to your first day of support.
Look at your plan and work out which budget funds the support you want, such as Core for daily life or Capacity Building for skills.
Confirm whether that funding is self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed, so you know how invoices will be paid.
Get in touch for a friendly, no-pressure chat. We will talk through your goals and how your funding can help.
We put a clear service agreement in place, then match you with workers and get your supports started.
Want the full walk-through? Our how to get started page takes you through each step in more detail.
Still working something out? Here are answers to the questions people ask us most about their budgets and plans.
Call us for a warm, no-pressure chat and we will help you make sense of your plan.
0425 150 179Your plan can include three budgets. Core supports cover everyday help with daily life and taking part in your community. Capacity Building supports build your skills and independence over time. Capital supports cover higher-cost items such as assistive technology and home or vehicle modifications.
Most of our supports are funded from Core, including assistance with daily life, community and social participation, and transport. Building your daily living and life skills usually sits in Capacity Building, under improved daily living. If you are not sure, we can look at your plan with you.
Core is usually the most flexible budget, so you can often move funding between most Core categories. You generally cannot move money between Core, Capacity Building and Capital, and Capacity Building amounts are set for each category. Check your plan, or ask your plan manager if you have one.
Self-managed means you manage your own funding and pay your providers. Plan-managed means a plan manager handles invoices and payments while you choose your providers. Agency-managed means the NDIA pays providers directly, and only NDIS-registered providers can be used. We support self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Check which budget funds the support you want, confirm how your plan is managed, then get in touch. We will talk through your goals, put a clear, plain-language service agreement in place, and help you get going at a pace that suits you. See our How to Get Started page for each step.
This guide is general information, not advice, and NDIS rules can change. For the latest details, visit ndis.gov.au or talk to us and we will point you in the right direction.
Tell us about your goals and your NDIS plan, and we will help you use your funding to get the supports that fit your life.
Reach out for a friendly, no-pressure chat about how we can help. There's no obligation, and we're happy to answer any questions.
