Capacity building supports are one of the key funding categories available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). They are designed to help participants develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to achieve their personal goals and improve their quality of life. Unlike funding for everyday support, capacity building supports focus on long-term outcomes that enable participants to become more independent over time.

For many participants, these supports provide opportunities to learn new skills, strengthen existing abilities, and access professional guidance that promotes greater participation in daily life, employment, education, and the community.

What Are Capacity Building Supports?

Capacity building supports are a category of NDIS funding that helps participants build their independence rather than covering ongoing daily expenses. The funding is tailored to each participant’s goals and circumstances, ensuring supports align with their NDIS plan.

Participants may receive funding to improve communication, increase mobility, develop social skills, manage their health, or build the confidence needed to participate more actively in their community.

How Capacity Building Supports Help Participants

The purpose of capacity building supports is to help participants gain practical skills that continue to benefit them well into the future. Rather than providing only short-term assistance, these supports encourage long-term growth and independence.

• Developing independent living skills
• Improving communication and social participation
• Building confidence in everyday activities
• Supporting education and employment goals
• Enhancing health and wellbeing
• Learning to navigate community services
• Increasing decision-making and self-management skills

Common Capacity Building Support Categories

Support Coordination

Support coordination helps participants understand and implement their NDIS plans. It assists with connecting to appropriate providers, coordinating services, and making informed decisions about available supports.

Improved Daily Living

This category funds therapies and professional services that help participants improve their daily living skills. Depending on individual goals, it may include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, or other allied health services.

Improved Relationships

Participants can access supports that strengthen interpersonal skills, improve behaviour management, and develop positive relationships with family members, carers, and the wider community.

Finding and Keeping a Job

This funding assists participants who want to prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. Supports may include job readiness training, workplace assistance, and employment-related skill development.

Improved Learning

Participants pursuing further education or training may receive assistance to develop learning strategies, improve educational participation, and achieve academic goals.

Improved Health and Wellbeing

This category encourages participants to build healthier lifestyles through exercise programs, nutrition support, and other activities that contribute to overall wellbeing.

Improved Life Choices

Participants who choose to self-manage their NDIS funding can receive support to build budgeting, planning, and financial management skills.

Increased Social and Community Participation

This funding helps participants build confidence while engaging in recreational, educational, volunteer, and community activities that support greater independence and social inclusion.

Who Can Access Capacity Building Supports?

Capacity building supports are available to eligible NDIS participants whose plans include this funding category. The supports included depend on each participant’s individual goals, functional capacity, and reasonable and necessary support needs.

During the planning process, participants work with their NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to identify the supports that will best help them achieve their long-term objectives.

Benefits of Capacity Building Supports

Capacity building supports provide long-lasting benefits because they focus on developing skills that participants can continue using independently. These supports often improve confidence, increase community participation, and help individuals make informed choices about their future.

• Greater independence
• Improved daily living skills
• Enhanced communication and relationships
• Increased confidence
• Better employment and education opportunities
• Improved community participation
• Long-term personal development

Capacity Building Supports in Melbourne

For NDIS participants in Melbourne, capacity building supports can be tailored to local services, community programs, therapies, and professional supports that align with individual goals. Working with experienced disability support providers helps ensure participants receive personalised services that maximise the value of their NDIS funding while encouraging greater independence.

Frequently Asked Questions