If you’re approaching the end of your NDIS plan and noticing you’ve got NDIS funding left in your budget, you’re not alone. Many participants, even those receiving regular supports, find they have unused NDIS funding when their NDIS plan is wrapping up.
So, what happens to that leftover funding? Can you roll it over? Should you be worried? Is it going to affect your next plan? There are steps you can take right now to make sure your next plan works even better for you. Let’s walk through it together.
Can I Keep My Leftover NDIS Funding?
The short answer is no. Unspent NDIS funds will not roll over into your next plan.
Because NDIS plans are built to fund supports for a specific time period once that time is up, the funding attached to that plan expires. Any unspent money doesn’t roll over or get saved for later. Instead, it goes back to the NDIS. This is because your next NDIS plan will be treated as a fresh budget. And it will be based on your usage, needs, and goals at the time of review.
Having leftover funding isn’t always a bad thing, if it’s highlighting that you don’t need as much funding as you’re receiving. What matters is why the funding wasn’t used and whether your current plan still reflects your goals and needs.
Common Reasons You Might Have Unused NDIS Funds
If you’re staring at an underspent budget, there could be a few explanations:
- Delays in starting services: Maybe it took time to find an NDIS provider, or your supports only kicked in halfway through your plan.
- Hospital stays or life disruptions: Health issues, life events, or unexpected breaks from supports can cause lower-than-expected spending.
- Provider availability: Long waitlists or cancellations can mean you didn’t receive as many hours as budgeted.
- Poor plan fit: Your plan might have overestimated some supports or missed the mark on what you actually needed.
- Lack of guidance: If you didn’t have a Support Coordinator or someone walking you through your options, it’s easy to leave funding on the table.
Will Having Leftover NDIS Funding Affect My Next Plan?
When your plan gets reviewed (either at the end of your current plan or during a check-in), the NDIA will look at how much of your funding was used. As well as how it aligned with your goals.
If a large portion of your NDIS budget is unspent, the NDIA might decide you didn’t need as much as was originally approved. This can sometimes lead to a reduction in your next plan’s funding.
But here’s the good news: context matters. If you can clearly explain why the funding wasn’t used (e.g., provider wait times, life events, access barriers), this will help protect your budget.
What Should I Do If My Plan Is Ending and I Haven’t Used All My Funding?
Here’s a quick checklist to help you wrap things up wisely:
- Review your budget (Core, Capacity Building, Capital) and see where the underspend is.
- Note down why funding wasn’t used — this will help at review time.
- Get in touch with your Support Coordinator (or contact one if you don’t have one).
- Book a Plan Review or Check-In (especially if your needs have changed).
- Explore short-term supports you might still be able to book before your plan ends (e.g., therapy intensives, STA/respites, support worker hours).
Need help understanding or using your NDIS plan?
Ending your NDIS plan with funding left over might feel frustrating. But, it’s also an opportunity to learn more about how to get the most from your next one.Even if your plan is nearly finished, you might still be able to organise valuable supports in the final weeks. Talk to a provider or coordinator now! Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation with a Support Coordinator.