The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to help people with disability live more independently and achieve their personal goals. One of the most impactful parts of the NDIS is Capacity Building Supports. These supports are designed to build skills, confidence, and independence across many areas of life.
Whether it’s finding a job, improving relationships, or learning how to manage your own supports, Capacity Building is all about long-term progress and personal growth.
What Are NDIS Capacity Building Supports?
Capacity Building Supports are a category of NDIS funding that helps participants develop the skills they need to improve their independence, community involvement, and overall quality of life. Unlike Core Supports (which are about day-to-day help), Capacity Building is focused on long-term goals and outcomes.
These supports are tailored to your individual NDIS plan and broken into several sub-categories, each targeting different areas of development.
Support Coordination
What it is:
Support Coordinators are here to help you understand your NDIS plan, find the right services, and ensure that everything is running smoothly. It’s about helping you make your plan work for you, not the other way around.
What it includes:
- Explaining what’s in your plan and what your funding covers
- Finding suitable providers for therapy, daily supports, or housing
- Booking and setting up services
- Solving problems if things go wrong or supports don’t fit
- Teaching you how to manage your plan with more independence over time
Who it’s for:
Participants who need help understanding how to use their plan. Participants who are experiencing significant life changes, don’t have informal supports in place or require assistance to build skills to manage their supports in the long term.
Real-life example:
You’ve been approved for physiotherapy, psychology, and some home support under the NDIS. But you have no idea where to start. A Support Coordinator gets to know you, finds trusted providers in your area that are compatible with you, books the sessions, and will check in regularly to make sure you’re happy with the services. They are always there to answer questions, have a chat or advocate on your behalf.
Improved Living Arrangements
What it is:
This support helps you find a safe, stable, and suitable place to live. It’s designed to ensure your living environment supports your goals, health, and independence.
What it includes:
- Exploring housing options (like shared accommodation, SIL, rental, or living alone)
- Applying for housing or NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- Understanding rental agreements, leases, and tenancy rights
- Working with support providers to settle in successfully
Who it’s for:
Participants who are transitioning into new accommodation or need help maintaining a suitable home.
Real-life example:
After struggling in a shared house with unsafe conditions, you work with a housing support worker to find an accessible one-bedroom unit near your family. They help you apply, move in, and connect with cleaning and support services.
Increased Social and Community Participation
What it is:
This support helps you build the confidence, skills, and social connections needed to get more involved in your community and enjoy life beyond the home.
What it includes:
- Accessing local groups, sports teams, classes, or clubs
- Support to try new hobbies or activities
- Building social confidence and communication skills
- Transport or support worker assistance to attend outings
Who it’s for:
Anyone who wants to feel more connected, active, and socially included but faces barriers doing it on their own. If you have the NDIS funding for these activities they are so valuable in connecting you with your community.
Real-life example:
You’re interested in music but feel anxious going to new places. With this support, you join a supported community music group where a worker attends with you and helps you feel safe and confident.
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) & Employment-Related Supports
What it is:
Supports you to build the skills and confidence to find, get, and keep a job. It also helps you transition from school to work, if relevant.
What it includes:
- Career goal setting and employment planning
- Skills training (like time management, communication, teamwork)
- Resume and cover letter preparation
- Interview coaching
- On-the-job support and mentoring
- Support to stay employed long-term
Who it’s for:
Participants of working age who want to gain employment or build work-related skills.
Real-life example:
You want to work in retail but have never had a job. You work with a provider to build your resume, attend mock interviews, and learn about handling money and talking to customers. Once you get a job, a support worker checks in regularly to help with any challenges and ensures you are thriving in your role.
Improved Relationships
What it is:
This support focuses on helping you build healthier, more positive relationships with the people in your life. Whether that’s family, friends, carers, or your wider community.
What it includes:
- Behaviour therapy or counselling
- Social skills training
- Support with emotional regulation and communication
- Relationship-building strategies
Who it’s for:
Participants who have difficulty managing behaviour, emotions, or social relationships due to disability or trauma.
Real-life example:
You often feel overwhelmed and lash out during group activities. With the help of a behavioural therapist, you learn how to express yourself calmly and build stronger, lasting friendships.
Improved Health and Wellbeing
What it is:
This support helps you improve your physical and mental health so you can live more independently and feel your best.
What it includes:
- Diet and nutrition advice
- Personal training or physical activity programs
- Mental health supports (non-clinical)
- Smoking cessation or alcohol support
Who it’s for:
Participants who have the required NDIS funding and want to improve their health but need expert guidance that considers their disability.
Real-life example:
You have diabetes and mobility issues. You work with a dietitian to plan meals and an exercise physiologist to build strength, safely and gradually.
Improved Learning
What it is:
This funding helps you access education or training and build your ability to learn in a way that works for your individual needs.
What it includes:
- Planning and preparation for further education
- Support with enrolling and attending classes
- Study skills training
- Assistance using technology (laptops, apps, or reading tools)
Who it’s for:
Participants who are interested in gaining qualifications or learning new skills, but need support to access and succeed in learning environments.
Real-life example:
You want to start a Certificate III course but need support navigating online learning. You get training to use accessibility features on your laptop and one-on-one coaching to complete assignments.
Improved Life Choices (Plan Management)
What it is:
This support covers the cost of having a Plan Manager who helps you manage your NDIS funds and budget. This gives you full choice and control over your NDIS plan, while a trusted manager takes care of the administration work.
What it includes:
- Paying providers on your behalf
- Tracking your NDIS budget and balances
- Sending you monthly statements
- Making sure services are billed correctly
- Giving you more choice and flexibility than agency-managed plans
Who it’s for:
Participants who want help managing the financial side of their plan but still want the freedom to choose their providers. It’s especially valuable for participants who can’t, or don’t want to, put their energy and time into managing their plan, so it can go towards achieving their goals instead.
Real-life example:
Instead of paying providers yourself or going through the NDIA, your Plan Manager pays invoices, tracks your budget, and helps you understand where your money is going. Providing detailed reports, advice and full transparency at all times.
Improved Daily Living
What it is:
This support includes assessments, training, and therapies designed to help you become more independent in your day-to-day life.
What it includes:
- Occupational therapy to improve daily skills
- Speech therapy for communication
- Personal care skill development (e.g. showering, dressing, grooming)
- Help with routines, time management, and organisation
- Life skills like cooking, cleaning, or catching public transport
Who it’s for:
Participants who want to build independence in personal care, household tasks, or daily routines.
Real-life example:
You’re working with an occupational therapist to learn how to make simple meals, use the washing machine, and travel to your appointments using public transport.
Benefits of Capacity Building Supports
- Greater independence: Learn how to manage your own supports, routines, and life goals more confidently.
- Improved confidence: Build self-esteem by achieving personal goals in areas like work, study, and relationships.
- Social connection: Get more involved in your local community and form meaningful relationships.
- Work readiness: Access training and support that helps you find and maintain employment.
- Better health outcomes: Supports that focus on nutrition, fitness, mental health, and wellbeing all contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Accessing Capacity Building Supports
To access Capacity Building Supports, you’ll need to talk about your goals during your NDIS planning meeting. These goals might include learning new skills, building social confidence, improving your health, or gaining employment.
Your NDIS planner or Support Coordinator can help match the right supports to your needs, and ensure you make the most of the funding available in your plan.
Accessing NDIS Capacity Building Supports With Achora
NDIS Capacity Building Supports are more than just services, they are stepping stones to a better future. Whether you want to build life skills, connect with your community, or reach long-term goals, these supports are designed to help you grow.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a more independent and empowered life, make sure your NDIS plan includes the Capacity Building Supports that align with your goals.
