Audio Coursesby JellypodLesson 08 of 17
Overview
Will, EnableUs Community: Hey everyone, welcome back to Inside NDIS. I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today we’re talking about something that, honestly, comes up all the time—how to make your NDIS budget last the whole year. It’s a big one, right?
Winter, EnableUs Community: Absolutely, Will. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen participants get to, like, month eight and suddenly realise their funding’s almost gone. And it’s not because they’re overusing supports, it’s just—well, there wasn’t a clear plan from the start.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and the first step is always just getting a handle on what you’ve actually got. So, you’ve got your Core Supports, which is stuff like daily living and transport. Then there’s Capacity Building—think therapy, training, that sort of thing. And sometimes Capital Supports, but honestly, most of the flexibility is in Core and Capacity Building.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. I always tell people, list out the amounts for each category. Like, if you’ve got $15,000 in Core and $6,000 in Capacity Building, that’s your starting point. And then you can see which category is gonna stretch the furthest for you. Usually, Core is the one you can move around a bit more, but Capacity Building can be a bit of a hidden gem if you know what’s in there.
Will, EnableUs Community: Oh, totally. I remember working with a participant who thought they’d used up everything, but when we actually sat down and looked at their plan, they had a chunk of Capacity Building funds just sitting there. We ended up using it for some extra therapy sessions and even a bit of skills training. It was like, suddenly, new doors opened up for them. Sometimes you just need to dig a little deeper into those categories.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and it’s not always obvious. I mean, the plan wording can be confusing, and people just assume if it’s not Core, it’s not flexible. But that’s not always true. So, step one—know your numbers, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what each category can actually do for you.
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, so once you know what you’ve got, the next thing is figuring out what you actually need each week. Like, what’s non-negotiable? What’s flexible? I always start by asking, “What supports do you absolutely need every week?”
Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and then you map it out over the whole year. Not just week by week, but thinking about holidays, times when things get busier—like school holidays or if someone’s got a big medical appointment coming up. It’s about seeing the big picture, not just the next couple of weeks.
Will, EnableUs Community: And, look, if you take that $15,000 Core budget, divide it by 52 weeks, you get about $288 a week. For Capacity Building, $6,000 is about $115 a week. But you don’t have to spend it evenly every week. Some weeks might be lighter, some heavier, but having that average helps you pace things out.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And don’t forget the buffer! I always recommend leaving 5 to 10 percent unallocated. Life happens—plans change, emergencies pop up, or sometimes there’s a delay in getting a new plan approved. If you plan to spend every cent, you’re setting yourself up for stress later.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, like, if you’ve got $15,000, maybe only plan to use $13,500 to $14,000 at first. That way, if something unexpected comes up, you’re not scrambling. I’ve seen people get caught out by not leaving that little bit of wiggle room.
Winter, EnableUs Community: I had a family once—super busy, lots of appointments, and they were booking everything in the first half of the year. We sat down, mapped out the whole 12 months, and realised they were on track to run out by September. Just spreading things out and blocking off time for holidays made a huge difference. They actually made it to the end of the plan with supports left over, which was a first for them.
Will, EnableUs Community: That’s such a good example. Sometimes it’s just about seeing it all laid out. A spreadsheet or even a calendar can make it so much clearer. And honestly, it takes the pressure off when you know you’ve got a plan for the whole year, not just the next month.
Winter, EnableUs Community: So, you’ve got your plan, you’ve mapped out your weeks—now you’ve gotta keep an eye on how it’s actually going. I always say, check in at least once a month. Look at what you’ve spent, what’s left, and if you’re on track with your average weekly spend.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and don’t just set and forget. Every couple of months, take a step back and see if anything’s changed. Maybe you’re using less support than you thought, or maybe you had a few extra sessions and need to adjust. It’s not about being strict, it’s about being flexible and making sure you don’t run out early.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And make it simple. Use visuals, use plain language—whatever helps you or your participant actually understand what’s going on. I’ve seen people use Google Sheets, booking apps, even just a big wall calendar. The key is, it’s gotta make sense to you.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, I once trained a support worker to use Google Sheets for tracking a participant’s plan. At first, they were a bit nervous about the tech, but after a couple of months, they were the ones showing the participant how to check their spending and spot trends. It was awesome—suddenly, everyone felt more in control, and there were no nasty surprises at the end of the year.
Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s the goal, right? Empowering people to actually use their funding in a way that works for them, not just ticking boxes. And if you need to adjust, use positive language—like, “Hey, you’ve got some extra room, maybe we can add a session,” or “Let’s slow down a bit so you’ve got support right through to the end.”
Will, EnableUs Community: Exactly. It’s not about cutting corners, it’s about making sure the support is there when you need it, all year round. And honestly, the more you check in, the easier it gets. You don’t have to be a spreadsheet wizard—just find a system that works for you.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap up. If you take anything away from today, it’s that a little planning and regular check-ins can make your NDIS funding go the distance. And don’t be afraid to ask for help or try new tools—there’s no one right way to do it.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and we’ll be back next time with more tips on making the most of your plan. Thanks for joining us, Winter—always good to chat.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Thanks, Will. And thanks to everyone listening. See you next episode!
