Do you have a goal to build everyday skills or become more independent?
If you have Improved Daily Living funding in your NDIS Plan, you may be able to use it for therapy and assessments to build everyday skills.
Here’s a simple guide to what this budget is, what it can pay for and how it may help you work towards your goals.
What is Improved Daily Living funding?
Improved Daily Living is part of the Capacity Building section of an NDIS Plan.
It is designed to help you build skills for everyday life. This might mean learning something new, becoming more confident doing a task or finding different ways to do things more independently.
For example, you might use this funding to:
- Build skills for shopping or managing money
- Improve communication or social skills
- Learn ways to move around more safely
- Build skills for looking after yourself.
The supports you can use will depend on your goals, your needs and what is included in your NDIS Plan.
What is Improved Daily Living funding?
Improved Daily Living funding can generally be used for assessments, skill-building supports and therapy.
1. Assessments and reports.
Sometimes, an assessment can help work out what support you need or what may help you reach your goals. Depending on your needs, this could include:
- A functional capacity assessment
- An occupational therapy assessment
- An assistive technology assessment
- A speech or developmental assessment
- An assessment related to your living arrangements.
The person completing the assessment may also prepare a report with recommendations about your support needs. Some reports are stated in your plan and required by the NDIA for your next plan assessment.
From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government plans to reduce funding for Capacity Building Improved Daily Living by 10% as NDIS Plans are renewed or reassessed.
This does not mean your whole NDIS Plan will be reduced by 10%. The change only applies to this specific budget area and will happen gradually.
2. Learning everyday skills.
The NDIS may describe this as “training”, but it simply means getting support to learn or practise skills that are useful in everyday life. This could include learning how to:
- Manage money and create a budget
- Build a cleaning or household routine
- Look after personal care
- Communicate with other people
- Use assistive technology
- Get around in the community.
The type of support you use should connect with the goals in your NDIS Plan.
3. Therapy.
Improved Daily Living funding may also be used for therapy that helps you build skills for everyday life. Depending on your needs and goals, this could include:
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Audiology
- Exercise physiology.
What can’t Improved Daily Living funding be used for?
Not everything described as “therapy” can be paid for with NDIS funding. Some things the NDIS does not fund as therapy supports include:
- Gym or swimming pool memberships
- Massage therapy
- Personal training
- Alternative therapies
- General wellness or lifestyle coaching
- Social activities that are not recognised as therapy supports
- Generic therapy kits or programs that are not individually tailored and appropriately overseen.
Top tip. Not sure whether a therapy or support can be paid for from your NDIS Plan? Check your plan and talk to your provider or plan manager before booking.
You can also check the NDIS website for the full information on therapy supports.
How do I start using my funding?
Not sure where to begin? These four steps may help:
- Think about the everyday skills you would like to build
- Check what funding is available in your NDIS Plan
- Find a provider who offers the support you need
- Keep track of your spending and available funds.
If you’re a Leap in! Member, you can view your budgets and track your spending in the Leap in! app.
You may also have some flexibility to use your Improved Daily Living funding across different therapy or allied health supports, depending on your plan and your needs.
What about support for younger children?
Improved Daily Living funding may include early childhood supports for younger children.
These supports can help children build skills for everyday activities at home and in the community. They may also support families to better understand their child’s needs and how to help them develop new skills.
Good to know. Changes to supports for children are planned as part of the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids program. Because these changes are still developing, check the latest government information to understand what may apply to your family.
Improved Daily Living and Assistance with Daily Life: What’s the difference?
The names sound similar, but these two budget areas are used for different types of support.
Improved Daily Living is generally about building your skills.
Assistance with Daily Life is generally about getting help to complete everyday tasks.
For example, learning how to budget for groceries may come under your Capacity Building Improved Daily Living, while having somebody assist you while shopping may come under Core Assistance with Daily Life
Read more in our Assistance with Daily Life guide.
Need help understanding your budget?
The Leap in! Crew can help you understand your Improved Daily Living budget, keep track of your funds and manage your NDIS Plan.
Get in touch with the Leap in! Crew by phone 1300 05 78 78, email [email protected] or chat on our website.
