Capital supports

What are capital supports?

Capital supports are the NDIS budget for higher-cost assistive technology, equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and specialist disability accommodation. They are one of four support budgets in an NDIS plan, and the funding is stated: it can only be used for the specific items or works the plan describes, often after the NDIA has seen quotes or assessments.

The NDIA describes capital supports as being for "more expensive assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications or specialist disability accommodation" (NDIA: What are capital supports). Unlike core supports, which pay for ongoing help, capital usually pays for things bought once or occasionally, and for repairing or replacing them.

What capital supports cover

The NDIA's support categories factsheet lists four capital categories in current plans. Its capital supports page groups them as two (assistive technology, and home modifications and SDA), which is how older plans and support item numbers show them.

Items funded as capital are usually expensive, things the NDIA asks for reports, assessments and quotes for, things bought only once, or replacements for items you already have (NDIA). In support item numbers, a final digit of 2 means Capital.

What is not a capital support

• Low-cost assistive technology, such as non-slip bathmats or small aids for dressing or eating, is bought from the core consumables budget.
• Standard household items everyone needs are not NDIS supports, though the extra cost of an accessible version may be.
• Rent and general housing costs are the participant's own, even when they live in SDA.
• Support workers who help at home, including in SDA, are funded from core, for example as supported independent living.

How capital funding works

Capital funding is stated. The NDIA says you can't move it between capital categories, and you must buy the supports described against each one. The plan will say what the assistive technology funding is for, for example maintenance and repairs of hearing aids, and whether you need a quote (NDIA).

Where a stated support is marked "quote required", the NDIA needs quotes and/or specialist reports before it makes the funding available (NDIA: Guide to NDIS support budgets). This is why a participant can see an amount in their plan but not yet be able to spend it.

The usual path for a higher-cost item looks like this:

How the NDIA decides on capital supports

Capital items are often the most expensive line in a plan, so the NDIA looks closely at the evidence. Like every NDIS support, a capital item must be reasonable and necessary and an NDIS support for the participant. In practice the planner asks:

• Is it related to the disability? The item must address a need that comes from the participant's impairment, not a general household need.
• Is it value for money? The NDIA considers cheaper options that achieve the same outcome, including whether equipment could be hired or leased instead of bought (NDIA social and recreation guideline).
• Is it effective, beneficial and safe? The NDIA may ask an occupational therapist to confirm that equipment is safe and won't hurt the participant or others.
• Is another system responsible? Some equipment and housing is funded by health, aged care or housing systems instead.

Good evidence usually comes from a qualified assessor, describes what the participant can and can't do now, compares options, and explains why the recommended item is the best fit. Where the plan funds assistive technology for social or recreational activities, such as an adapted bike, the NDIA notes that funding sits in the capital budget, while the support worker who helps at the activity is funded from core.

Assistive technology, home modifications and SDA

The three main capital areas work differently. Assistive technology ranges from communication devices to powered wheelchairs and vehicle modifications, and current plans fund repairs, rental and trials in their own category. Home modifications change the structure, fixtures or fittings of a participant's home so they can live more independently and safely, and can include certification costs for the works. Specialist disability accommodation funds purpose-built housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs; it is priced under a separate SDA pricing schedule and paid to the SDA provider, while the participant still pays rent.

Because each area has its own rules, a participant can have amounts in several capital categories at once, and none of them can be swapped for another.

Capital supports vs core and capacity building

A simple test: capital buys the thing, core pays for the help, and capacity building teaches the skill. A hoist is capital; the support worker who uses it is core; the occupational therapist who assesses for it and trains the person and workers is capacity building.

Capital supports in 2026

Capital budgets are not part of the NDIA's budget reductions that began on 1 October 2026. The NDIA lists home and vehicle modifications, personal mobility equipment and specialist disability accommodation among the supports not affected (NDIA: Changes to support budgets from 1 October). Capital funding is still released in funding periods, so check when an approved amount becomes available before ordering.

For providers, the main point is paperwork. Assistive technology suppliers, home modification builders and SDA providers usually need the quote and the participant's agreement in writing before work starts, and they should keep records for 7 years under the Securing the NDIS record-keeping changes.

Paying for capital supports

How a capital item is paid for depends on how that part of the plan is managed. If it is self-managed, the participant pays the supplier and claims the money back through the my NDIS portal or app with the receipt, the supplier's ABN and a description of the support. If it is plan-managed, the plan manager pays the invoice; if it is NDIA-managed, the supplier claims from the NDIA directly (NDIA: Guide to using your funding).

Whoever pays, the participant is responsible for making sure the money is spent on the item the plan describes. Under the Securing the NDIS changes, participants must keep records of supports and payments for 3 years, and the NDIA may ask for funding to be repaid if it can't be shown that it was used correctly. Keep the assessment, quote, approval, invoice and delivery or completion record together.

Common mistakes with capital supports

• Ordering before funding is released. "Quote required" funding isn't available until the NDIA approves it.
• Using capital money for something else. It's stated; leftover wheelchair funding can't buy a different item.
• Paying low-cost items from capital. Small aids usually come from consumables in core.
• Forgetting repairs. Maintenance, repair and rental has its own category in current plans.
• Treating SDA as support. SDA funds the building; support inside it is funded separately.