What are the NDIS core support categories? 

NDIS planning changes 2026

Beginning in mid-2026 the NDIS is changing its planning process. The new planning framework in PACE (Provider and Participant Community Environment) focuses on person-centered assessments on participant's disability support needs rather than a functional impairment.

Here is a list of the major changes: 

• PACE plans: PACE plans include four main budgets; core, capital, capacity building and recurring supports. There are also more support categories within each budget for specific funding. 
• Support needs assessment: Participants are required to complete a support needs assessment when applying to the NDIS.
• Flexible budgets: The new budgets are designed to be more flexible within certain categories. This gives you more control over how to spend your funding on NDIS supports.
• Stability and duration: In light of these changes, plans are intended to last longer, with fewer scheduled reviews. 
• Mandatory registration: As of December 2025, it’s mandatory for all providers to be registered. NDIS-registered providers (like Hireup) must comply with strict quality, safety and operational standards set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.   

Who can apply for NDIS core supports? 

Your application for the NDIS will also include a support needs assessment starting in mid-2026. The support needs assessment takes into account your whole life and daily requirements instead of your functional impairment or what you can’t do.

Find out how to apply to the NDIS.

What is covered under the NDIS core supports list? 

The NDIS core supports list covers five categories: 

• Assistance with daily life 
• Home and living  
• Consumables 
• Transport
• Assistance with social, economic and community participation  

In 2026, the funding you receive for your core supports is the most flexible of the four budgets. This means you may be able to move money between core support categories to meet your changing needs.

Assistance with daily life

This covers support for everyday tasks like personal care, showering, dressing, and household chores like cleaning or meal preparation.

These must relate to functional impairment in notice of impairments.

Home and living

This covers support services required for a participant to live as independently as possible. It strictly covers disability-specific housing costs (SDA), shared support (SIL) and individual living options (ILO).

These must be deemed reasonable and necessary and cannot include rent, board, or general household utility bills.

Consumables

This includes everyday items such as continence aids, low-cost assistive technology (under $1,500), and nutritional supplements if they are directly related to your disability.

These items must be disability-related, not general lifestyle goods.

Transport

Financial assistance for participants who cannot use public transport due to their disability. This can be paid as a regular allowance into your bank account.

Usually paid as a set amount at regular intervals and cannot be moved to the capital supports category.

Assistance with social, economic and community participation

Funding for a support worker to help you engage in community activities, attend social groups, or participate in recreational interests.

Covers the support worker's time, not the activity's entry fee.

What is not covered under the NDIS core supports list? 

• Day-to-day living: Rent, mortgage repayments, home deposits, strata fees, council   rates, and utility bills (water, gas, electricity).
• Household items: Standard furniture (lounges, beds), appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher), and standard garden tools or décor.
• Food and groceries: Standard groceries, takeaway food, restaurant meals, and alcohol. (Exception: Modified foods like PEG feeding).
• Health and medical: Hospital stays, doctor visits (Medicare items), clinical mental health services, and most prescription medications.
• Alternative therapies: Services not based on clinical evidence, such as crystal therapy, tarot readings, aromatherapy, and wilderness therapy.
• Lifestyle and beauty: Haircuts, manicures, tattoos, gym memberships, weight loss programs, and cosmetic treatments.
• Finance and legal: Fines (speeding/parking), debt repayments, gift cards, donations, and legal fees for non-NDIS matters.
• Travel and transport: Holiday packages, airfares, cruises, passports, and standard vehicle purchases or registration.
• Technology: Standard mobile phones, tablets, and internet plans. These may be considered as replacement supports in specific cases.
• Reproductive and family: Surrogacy, fertility treatments (IVF), babysitting, and general parenting programs.
• Education and work: School/University fees, school uniforms, and items that are the responsibility of an employer (e.g., standard office desks).
• Pets: Food, vet bills, and grooming for standard pets. This does not include NDIS-approved Assistance Animals.
• Prohibited items: Illegal drugs, weapons, vapes, cigarettes, gambling, and sexual services.

Keep in mind you may be able to use NDIS funding for a prohibited item (like a standard smartwatch or tablet) if it is requested as a replacement support. 

Also, if you had an item approved as reasonable and necessary in a plan that started before 3 October 2024, you can continue to use those funds until your plan is next reviewed.

How are the NDIS support categories regulated? 

In 2026, the NDIS support categories are regulated by a compliance framework. 

All supports must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria, which has been reduced to ensure the scheme's sustainability.

Here’s how the support categories are regulated: 

• NDIS supports list: Items can only be purchased from the NDIS supports list. Anything else is considered a non-NDIS support unless a specific replacement exception is granted.
• Reasonable and necessary criteria: The support must be value for money, effective, and beneficial, and it shouldn't replace supports provided by families or mainstream services like the health system.
• Funding periods: In 2026, plans use 3-month funding periods. This prevents participants from running out of money too early in their plan.

What are the other NDIS support budgets?

Outside core supports, the NDIS provides budgets for capital supports, which includes assistive technologies and home modifications, and capacity building, which includes support coordination.

Read more about NDIS support budgets.