What is the difference between Core and Capacity Building in your NDIS plan?
In the NDIS, Core supports and Capacity Building supports serve different purposes, even though they might look similar at first.
Core supports are about helping you with day-to-day activities so you can live your life more easily right now.
Capacity Building supports, on the other hand, are designed to help you learn new skills, build independence, and reach long-term goals.
The table below shows examples of how this difference plays out in your NDIS plan using funding areas like Improved Health & Wellbeing and Improved Social & Community Participation.
Remember, the key difference is:
Core = doing with/for you (direct support).
Capacity Building = teaching you (building skills for independence).
| Area | Examples of Core Supports (doing for you) |
Examples of Capacity Building (teaching you skills) |
|
Improved Health & Wellbeing |
A support worker drives you to the gym and supervises you during exercise. Meals are delivered to your home. A support worker reminds you to take your medication. |
An exercise physiologist teaches you how to use equipment safely and build your own routine. A dietitian teaches you how to plan, shop for, and cook healthy meals. A psychologist helps you learn coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety. |
| Improved Social & Community Participation |
A support worker attends a community event with you. You are taken to a social group each week without skill-building focus. Transport is arranged so you can attend a class. |
A mentor helps you develop social skills and confidence to make friends. You learn how to use public transport so you can get to events independently. A coach supports you to join a local club and build independence over time. |
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