What is budget flexibility?  

Every NDIS plan is made up of 3 support categories: Core, Capital, and Capacity Building. Products and services are claimed from one of these support categories, but some services can now be claimed from multiple categories, after changes introduce by the NDIA last year. This means participants can use their funding more flexibly and get better utility of their funding. 

Using these 3 budget categories flexibly affords participants more choice and control – an outcome that is at the heart of our mission at IDEAL. 

How does it work in practice? 

There are several reasons, which the NDIA has identified, why some services and products can be claimed from more than one support category, such as:  

• allowing for disability-related health supports  

• where services could have multiple purposes  

• to accommodate for the provision of services amidst COVID-19  

• to facilitate a new arrangement  

• because of activity costs  

• to allow for activity-based transport  

For example, psychology is claimed from Capacity Building under improved relationships or improved daily living. But it can also be claimed from Core if it is an everyday need required by a participant to reach their plan goals.  

Case study 

Jenny attends psychology sessions with multiple goals. She would like to develop her independence and confidence to equip her for entering the workplace.

She would also like to learn how to better manage her personal relationships. As such, her psychology sessions fall under multiple categories: Capacity Building, where it relates to improving relationships and finding and keeping a job, as well as Core if it relates to assistance with daily living.

Jenny can choose to claim her psychology sessions under Capacity Building line items, which can only be used for improved relationships first, and if she exceeds her allocated budget but wants to continue with the service, she can do so by claiming under Core.

This means her Core funding is reserved where possible to use flexibly as the end of the plan nears and other categories have been exhausted, allowing her to access a range of supports and services until it is renewed.  

How do I know where to claim from? 

According to the NDIS Price Guide, some supports can be claimed from specific categories, but some others may also be appropriate from other categories too.

At IDEAL Plan Management, we pride ourselves on being the most knowledgeable plan managers in Australia, and using that knowledge allows up to facilitate choice and control for participants.

We are well-versed in the flexibility allowed by the NDIS Price Guide, among many other complex areas of NDIS plan management.

Not only do we take the paperwork off your hands, we help ensure participants get the most out of their plans. We are independent, and we are experts in NDIS plan management. 

That means you can trust us to advise and act in the participant’s best interest and with expertise unmatched by ordinary plan managers.

For more information on how IDEAL Plan Management can help you make the most out of your plan through budget flexibility, or to find out how we can help you get more out of your plan, call us, email us, or submit an enquiry online and we’ll respond within 2 business days.  

Contact IDEAL Plan Management today via email, online enquiry, or telephone (1300 800 110) and one of our friendly plan managers will be able to give you tailored information about your plan.