Plan Budgets Explained: Core vs Capacity

Understanding Core and Capacity Building

Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, welcome back to Inside NDIS, everyone! I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today, we’re diving into something that, honestly, tripped me up when I first started—Core Supports versus Capacity Building in NDIS plans. Winter, do you remember your first time trying to explain these to someone?

Winter, EnableUs Community: Oh, absolutely. I think I used way too much jargon and just saw their eyes glaze over. It’s easy to forget how confusing these terms can be if you’re not living and breathing NDIS every day.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, totally. So, let’s break it down. Core Supports—think of them as the stuff you need to get through your day. Like, help with showering, getting dressed, or even just getting out into the community. It’s the flexible part of the plan, right?

Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. Core is all about those everyday, functional supports. If you need a support worker to help you with personal care or to go to a social activity, that’s Core. And the cool thing is, within Core, you can usually move funds around between those sub-categories, unless your plan says otherwise.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and then there’s Capacity Building, which is, well, less flexible. It’s more about long-term growth—like building skills, getting therapy, or working towards independence. So, if you’re learning to cook or getting speech therapy, that’s Capacity, not Core.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Right. And each bit of Capacity funding is locked in for a specific purpose. So, you can’t just move money from, say, therapy to employment support. It’s all about helping participants reach their goals over time, not just getting through the day.

Will, EnableUs Community: I’ll admit, I once mixed them up. I was helping a participant and thought, “Oh, therapy’s just another support, right? Must be Core.” Nope. I ended up having to redo the whole service agreement. It was a bit embarrassing, but it taught me to always double-check which budget I’m claiming from. I mean, it’s not the end of the world, but it can mess things up for the participant if you get it wrong.

Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s such a common mistake, though. And honestly, it’s better to admit it and fix it than just hope no one notices. I think the key is just keeping it simple when you explain it—Core is for now, Capacity is for the future. And always tie it back to the participant’s goals, not just the funding buckets.

Avoiding Common Billing Mistakes

Will, EnableUs Community: So, speaking of mistakes, let’s talk about billing errors. I reckon the most common one I see is people claiming therapy under Core instead of Capacity. It’s easy to do if you’re in a rush or not checking the Price Guide.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and sometimes it’s just using the wrong line item altogether. Like, you think you’re helping by being flexible, but if you use the wrong code, it can cause all sorts of headaches later—especially if there’s an audit.

Will, EnableUs Community: Exactly. The Price Guide is your best friend here. I know it’s not the most exciting read, but it’s the only way to be sure you’re using the right codes and claiming from the right budget. And every plan is different, so you can’t just assume what worked last time will work again.

Winter, EnableUs Community: I had a provider once who kept putting therapy sessions under Core because, well, that’s where they had funds left. But the participant wasn’t getting the outcomes they wanted, and it was actually holding them back from building independence. Once we fixed it and started claiming therapy under Capacity, suddenly the plan made a lot more sense, and the participant could actually work towards their goals. It was a bit of a lightbulb moment for everyone.

Will, EnableUs Community: That’s a great example. I think it’s also about reviewing the plan carefully every time. Like, don’t just skim it—actually look at what’s funded, what the goals are, and make sure your service lines up. And, I mean, keep your team in the loop. If you’re not training your staff on this stuff, mistakes are gonna happen.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Totally. And don’t forget to stay updated. The NDIS Price Guide changes, and so do the codes. If you’re not checking regularly, you might be using old info without even realising. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making sure participants get the best out of their plans.

Maximising Funding and Compliance

Will, EnableUs Community: So, let’s talk about how to actually get the most out of these budgets—without getting into trouble, obviously. I reckon the biggest thing is making sure every service you provide actually links back to a participant’s goal. If you can’t explain how it helps them, maybe it’s not the right fit.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and that’s where regular process reviews come in. Like, don’t just set and forget. Check in with your team, review your service agreements, and make sure you’re still on track. And be transparent with participants—let them know which budget you’re claiming from and why. It builds trust and helps them understand their own plan better.

Will, EnableUs Community: And don’t underestimate the power of good plan management and support coordination. If you’ve got someone helping you navigate the plan, it’s way easier to stay compliant and make the most of the funding. Plus, it can help participants become more independent over time, which is kind of the whole point of Capacity Building, right?

Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about helping people reach their goals and, hopefully, need less support in the future. If you’re clear, organised, and keep the participant at the centre, you’re already ahead of the game.

Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap up for today. If you’re listening and you’re still not sure which budget your service fits under, now’s the time to review your processes. And don’t stress—everyone gets it wrong sometimes. Just keep learning.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and we’ll be back with more tips and real-world stories next time. Thanks for joining us, Will. Always good to chat.

Will, EnableUs Community: Thanks, Winter. And thanks to everyone tuning in. Catch you next episode!

Winter, EnableUs Community: See you next time!