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NDIS support categories explained — all 15 in plain English

A plain English breakdown of all 15 NDIS support categories — what each covers, the category code, and what type of provider delivers it.

NDIS support categories

The NDIS organises funding into 15 support categories. Your plan will specify which categories you have funding in and how much. Here's what each one covers.


#CategoryWhat it coversDelivered by
01Daily Activities (Assistance with Daily Life)Personal care, hygiene, domestic tasks, meal prep, overnight supportsSupport workers, in-home care providers
02TransportGetting to work, appointments, community activities when you can't use public transportTransport providers, support workers
03ConsumablesEveryday disability-related products — continence aids, low-cost assistive tech, wound careDisability equipment suppliers
04Assistance with Social, Economic & Community ParticipationCommunity access, social activities, recreational programsSupport workers, community participation providers
05Assistive TechnologyEquipment that helps you function — wheelchairs, communication devices, vehicle modificationsAT suppliers, OTs (for assessment)
06Home ModificationsPhysical changes to your home — grab rails, ramps, accessible bathroomsBuilders, OTs (for assessment)
07Support CoordinationHelp understanding and using your plan, connecting with providersSupport coordinators
08Improved Living ArrangementsHelp finding and keeping appropriate housingSupport coordinators, housing specialists
09Increased Social & Community ParticipationBuilding skills for community life — mentoring, peer support, social skills programsAllied health, community orgs
10Finding & Keeping a JobEmployment support, job coaching, workplace modificationsEmployment service providers, job coaches
11Improved Health & WellbeingAllied health services — dietitian, exercise physiology, podiatryAllied health professionals
12Improved LearningEducation support, transition planning for school leaversSpecialist educators, allied health
13Improved Life Choices (Plan Management)Financial administration of your NDIS planRegistered plan managers
14Improved Daily LivingTherapy to build skills and independence — OT, physio, speech, psychologyAllied health professionals
15Specialist Disability AccommodationFunding towards specialist housing for participants with extreme functional impairmentSDA providers

A few things to know

Core vs Capacity Building: Categories 01–04 are Core supports and are generally more flexible (you can move funds between them). Categories 07–14 are Capacity Building and are locked to their specific purpose.

Not everyone gets all categories: Your plan only includes categories relevant to your goals and support needs. Don't be surprised if some categories above aren't in your plan.

Stated vs Flexible: Some supports in your plan may be "stated" — meaning they're fixed to a specific item or provider. Others are flexible within the category.

Registered vs Unregistered providers: If you're agency-managed, you must use registered providers. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can use unregistered providers.

Find NDIS providers on CareLocate — search by category, location and availability. Search providers →

carelocate.com.au — free to search, independently owned.

NDIS support categories explained — all 15 in plain English — CareLocate — CareLocate