A major change to the way NDIS Plans are funded has arrived. From 19 May, all new and reassessments NDIS Plans will include funding periods.
This means the funds in your NDIS Plan will no longer be released all at once. Instead, plan funds will be made available in smaller amounts at set times throughout the plan period.
Here’s what we know so far.
What are funding periods?
Funding periods are a new way the NDIS releases plan budgets over time. Instead of receiving your full plan funding upfront, you’ll get access to smaller amounts in stages.
- A funding period is a set timeframe during which a portion of your NDIS funding can be used
- Most new plans will have three-month funding periods
- You can only spend money released in the current or previous funding period
- Different funding periods may be introduced in future
- Funding periods will initially apply to new or reassessed plans.
How do funding periods work?
Your NDIS Plan now includes a total funding amount. This is the full amount of funding allocated for all your supports over the life of your plan.
- Each portion of funds is released at the start of a funding period
- When one funding period ends, the next portion of funds is released
- Unspent funds from the previous funding periods are rolled over into the next funding period (within the same plan)
- A provider can claim for services delivered in a previous funding period, as long as the dates of the invoice fall within the plan
- The NDIS says this approach is designed to help participants manage budgets more effectively.
Top tip: Funding periods don’t affect your total budget, only when you can access the funds.
What are ‘funding components’?
Your plan funding is split into funding components (previously known as budget categories). Each component groups similar types of supports.
The three main components are:
- Core: For everyday activities and supports
- Capacity Building: For building skills and independence
- Capital: For one-off purchases such as assistive technology or home modifications
Components may have separate funding periods that may be released at different times.
Funding periods and different types of supports.
Some supports have different funding periods based on how they’re delivered. While there are exceptions, generally:
- Plans with Home and Living will have monthly funding periods, with funds released 12 times a year
- High-cost regular supports like Supported Independent Living (SIL) may also use monthly funding periods to align with service delivery
- For larger purchases, such as a custom wheelchair, more funding will be available at the start of the plan.
Managing funding across different periods.
The funding period model is designed to support steady use of supports across your plan. There are rules about how and when you can use your funding.
- Unused funds at the end of a funding period will roll over to next funding period
- Funds not spent at the end of your plan will not carry over to a new plan
- You can’t access funds from a future funding period early
- In urgent situations, at their discretion, the NDIA may bring forward funds from a future period but this won’t increase your total plan budget.
These changes make it more important than ever to plan for how your funding will be spent across the life of your plan.
How to view funding periods in your plan.
You will be able to see your funding periods in the Leap in! App or the NDIS portal, including:
- How much funding is available
- How much has been used
- How much funding has been released in the plan so far
- When the next amount will be available.
With your consent, plan managers and support coordinators will be able to view this information in the provider portal.
We will continue to keep you up-to-date as more details become available.
For more detail on funding periods visit the NDIS website. You can also stay up to date on the NDIS changes through the Leap in! website.
We’re here to help
To contact us, please call our friendly crew on 1300 05 78 78, email [email protected] or chat with us online.
