This year, the NDIS introduced quarterly funding periods. Now that we’ve had time to adjust to the changes, it’s time to explore how we can prepare for each quarter, so you can make your budget last, avoid overspending, and feel confident that every part of your plan is working for you.
If you’d like more personalised guidance tailored specifically to your funding categories and NDIS budget, you can book a free 15-minute consultation with our expert Support Coordinators. They will help you assess your plan, make sense of your next steps and give you guidance on what to do next.
What Are Quarterly Funding Periods in the NDIS?
Quarterly funding periods divide your NDIS budget into four equal time blocks across the year. They help participants understand how their spending compares to the pace of the plan and whether adjustments are needed early, before funds run too low or too high.
Quarterly funding periods in NDIS plans are most useful for:
- Tracking spending over time
- Preventing underspending and overspending
- Planning predictable support costs
- Adjusting services before issues arise
If you’ve ever reached the end of your plan with too much or too little funding, quarterly budgeting gives you a clear, manageable structure to stay on track.
How to Manage NDIS Quarterly Funding (Step-by-Step Guide)
The framework below is used by participants at Achora to simplify budgeting. It’s practical, achievable, and easy to revisit every three months.
Step 1. Know Your Total Budget and Divide It by Four
Start by looking at how much funding you have for the entire year in each part of your plan. Look closely at your Core Supports, Capacity Building (like therapy categories), and transport if you receive it. Once you know the total amount for each category, divide that number by four. This shows you how much you should aim to spend every quarter.
For example, if you have $28,000 in Core Supports for the year, divide it by 4.
$28,000 ÷ 4 = $7,000 per quarter.
This quarterly amount becomes your guide. If you’re spending much more or much less than this number, it’s a sign to adjust your plan early.
Step 2. Map Out Your Regular Weekly Costs
Write down the supports you use every week, such as support worker hours, therapy sessions, transport, and any routine community activities. Multiply each weekly cost by the number of weeks in a quarter (about 13).
For example:
6 hours per week at $70/hour = $420/week
$420 × 13 weeks = $5,460 per quarter
This shows you how much of your quarterly funding is already committed to your regular supports.
Step 3. Add Occasional or Seasonal Costs
Next, include supports that don’t happen every week: like specialist appointments, school holiday support, therapy increases during life changes, equipment servicing, or extra community events. Estimate these costs and add them to your quarterly total. This keeps your plan realistic and reflects how things actually happen, not just your regular routine.
Step 4. Compare Your Spending With Your Quarterly Limits
Now, compare your projected spending to your quarterly budget.
- If you’re spending over the limit, you’re at risk of overspending.
- If you’re under, you may be missing opportunities to build skills or achieve your goals.
If anything feels out of balance, Achora’s Support Coordination team can help you adjust your supports or explore smarter options.
Step 5. Track Your Spending Weekly or Monthly
Small, regular check-ins make budgeting simple. Use tools like:
- Your plan manager’s dashboard
- A personal spreadsheet
- Monthly statements
- Calendar reminders
- The Achora Plan Check tool
Frequent tracking keeps your NDIS funding breakdown clear and helps you catch overspending early, long before it causes problems. Working with a Plan Manager allows you to stay on track of your funding, without committing your own time and energy.
Step 6. Adjust Supports Before the Next Quarter Begins
Before each new quarter starts, review how things are going. Ask yourself:
- Do I need more or fewer hours?
- Am I attending therapy consistently?
- Have my goals changed?
- Have provider costs changed?
Making small adjustments proactively helps your funding last and ensures your supports stay aligned with your needs. If you’re unsure what to change, Achora’s plan managers can guide you through each step.
FAQs About NDIS Quarterly Funding Periods
1. How do NDIS quarterly funding periods work?
Quarterly funding periods divide your annual budget into four parts to help you track spending. They’re not official NDIS rules, but a budgeting tool many participants use to stay on pace and make informed decisions across the year.
2. What happens if I overspend in a quarter?
Overspending early means you may run out of funding later in your plan. A plan manager or support coordinator can help you adjust support hours, review provider rates, and plan more sustainably for the remaining quarters. Here are some common budgeting mistakes and how to avoid them.
3. What happens if I underspend?
If you regularly underspend, you might be missing out on supports that could help you progress. Quarterly reviews help you identify unused funds and reallocate them to your goals before the year ends.
4. Do quarterly funding periods affect Support Coordination?
Support Coordination is usually billed based on actual hours used, not quarterly caps. But quarterly budgeting helps you understand how much Support Coordination you can sustainably use throughout the year.
5. How can a plan manager help with quarterly funding?
A plan manager tracks your spending, provides regular statements, alerts you to overspending risks, and helps you understand your NDIS funding breakdown. They make budget management simpler, clearer, and stress-free.
6. Can I move funding between quarters?
Yes. Quarterly periods are flexible. They’re simply guidelines to help you monitor your spending. You can adjust your supports at any time based on your needs.
7. What tools can help me track my NDIS budget?
Participants often use plan manager dashboards, budgeting spreadsheets, calendar reminders, or the Achora Plan Check tool for instant insights into their funding use.
8. What if my needs change during the year?
If your needs increase, decrease, or shift, quarterly reviews help you document the changes and prepare evidence for a plan reassessment if required.
NDIS Quarterly Budgeting Helps You Take Control of Your Plan
NDIS quarterly funding periods give you structure, clarity, and confidence. They help you plan realistically, track your progress, and adjust early, so your supports stay aligned with your goals.
Whether you manage your plan independently or with Achora, you don’t have to guess your way through budgeting. We’re here to guide you, simplify the numbers, and support you through every step of your NDIS journey.
Do you want personalised help managing your NDIS quarterly funding? Book a free 15-minute consultation, explore our Support Coordination services, or try our free Plan Check tool today.