Participant Enquiries
NDIS Capacity Building Supports Explained
Empowrd • January 13, 2026
Capacity Building supports are one of the most important parts of an NDIS plan and one of the least understood.
While Core Supports help you with daily tasks and routines, Capacity Building supports are about developing the skills, confidence, and independence to meet your goals and build a more empowered life. These supports are funded under a separate budget called the "Capacity Building" support purpose.
What Are Capacity Building Supports?
Capacity Building supports are designed to help you:
- Learn new skills for independence
- Build confidence and capability
- Work toward the goals listed in your NDIS plan
- Connect with education, employment, or the community
They are broken into specific categories that align with areas of your life (like Home, Work, or Health). Each category has its own funding, and funds can only be used for support within that category.
Note: You cannot move funds from one Capacity Building category to another, even if you haven't used all the funding in a specific area.
Capacity Building Support Categories at a Glance
Capacity Building supports are designed to help you:
- Learn new skills for independence
- Build confidence and capability
- Work toward the goals listed in your NDIS plan
- Connect with education, employment, or the community
They are broken into specific categories that align with areas of your life (like Home, Work, or Health). Each category has its own funding, and funds can only be used for support within that category.
Note: You cannot move funds from one Capacity Building category to another, even if you haven't used all the funding in a specific area.
1. Support Coordination (CB Support Coordination)
- Helps you understand and implement your NDIS plan
- Connects you with services and supports
- Builds your capacity to coordinate your own supports in future
Includes:
- Level 1: Support Connection
- Level 2: Coordination of Supports
- Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination
- Psychosocial Recovery Coaching (for participants with psychosocial disability)
2. CB Home Living
- Helps you find and maintain appropriate housing
- Support with applying for rentals, understanding tenancy obligations, and exploring Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) if eligible
3. CB Social and Community Participation
- Builds your independence through participation in community-based activities
- Life skills development, confidence-building, and programs that encourage active citizenship
4. CB Employment
- Supports to help you explore, prepare for, or maintain work
- Includes School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), job-readiness training, and employment-related assessments
5. CB Relationships
- Supports emotional regulation, social skill development, and positive behaviour
- May include specialist behavioural assessments or Behaviour Support Plans (BSP)
6. CB Health and Wellbeing
- Supports your physical and mental health through activities like:
- Exercise physiology
- Personal training (if linked to disability)
- Dietitian consultations
- Must be disability-related and part of your plan goals
7. CB Lifelong Learning
- Assistance with transition from school to higher education or vocational training
- Support with enrolment processes, orientation, and skills for learning
8. CB Choice and Control
- Helps build your capacity to manage your plan and supports
- May include training in budgeting, making decisions, or using assistive technology for self-management
9. CB Daily Activity
- Mostly used for therapy and functional skill development
- May include occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, counselling, and therapy assistants
- Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) supports also fall under this category for children under 9
10. CB Behaviour Support (PACE only)
- Focused on addressing complex behaviour needs
- Includes specialist assessments and development of behaviour support strategies
Capacity Building in Your NDIS Plan
When you receive your NDIS plan, Capacity Building supports will appear under their own section with line items like:
- CB Daily Activity
- CB Social and Community Participation
- CB Employment
Each will show the amount of funding allocated, and in some cases, specific supports (like Support Coordination) will have a set budget.
Who Can Provide Capacity Building Supports?
Most Capacity Building supports are delivered by registered allied health professionals, support coordinators, or trained service providers. Some may require registration with the NDIS, especially where restrictive practices or behavioural interventions are involved.
What Do Capacity Building Supports Look Like in Real Life?
Here are some practical examples of how Capacity Building supports might look day to day:
07 – Support Coordination
Example:
Sarah’s NDIS plan includes Level 2 Support Coordination. Her Support Coordinator helps her find a reliable support worker, set up a service agreement, and prepare for her next NDIS plan review.
08 – Home Living
Example:
Ben is moving out of his family home. He receives tenancy support to understand lease agreements, apply for rentals, and set up utilities independently.
09 – Social & Community Participation
Example:
Ben is moving out of his family home. He receives tenancy support to understand lease agreements, apply for rentals, and set up utilities independently.
10 – Employment
Example:
Jake has autism and wants to work in retail. His CB Employment funds cover job-readiness training, resume help, and interview practice with a disability employment provider.
11 – Relationships
Example:
Tia has difficulty regulating emotions and forming friendships. Her psychologist uses CB Relationships funding to support her social communication and emotional regulation.
12 – Health & Wellbeing
Example:
Raj is trying to improve his physical health after surgery. His plan funds weekly sessions with an Exercise Physiologist to work on strength and mobility.
14 – Choice & Control
Example:
Dylan is learning to manage his own supports. His funding allows him to access training on using his NDIS myGov portal, budgeting, and decision-making tools.
15 – Daily Activity
Example:
Sophie has a therapy assistant who visits her home to work on dressing routines, kitchen safety, and communication using her speech device, all funded under CB Daily Activity.
20 – Behaviour Support (PACE only)
Example:
Josh has complex behavioural needs. A Behaviour Support Practitioner works with his team to create a Behaviour Support Plan, including training for his carers.
Understanding NDIS Capacity Building Line Items
Each line item contains a code that tells you the type of support, category, outcome domain, and more. This helps ensure supports are claimed and tracked correctly.
Sample Line Items
Below are some typical line items you might see under Capacity Building categories:
CB Daily Activity
| Line Item | Support |
|---|---|
| 15_617_0128_1_3 | Occupational Therapist Assessment |
| 15_609_0118_1_3 | Exercise Physiology - Recommendation and Training |
| 15_054_0128_1_3 | Psychological Therapy - Daily Activity |
CB Health and Wellbeing
| Line Item | Support |
|---|---|
| 12_027_0128_3_3 | Exercise Physiology |
| 12_025_0128_3_3 | Dietitian Advice for Health & Wellbeing |
CB Support Coordination
| Line Item | Support |
|---|---|
| 07_002_0106_8_3 | Support Coordination - Level 2 |
| 07_004_0132_8_3 | Specialist Support Coordination |
What About Active Line Items?
NDIS pricing arrangements contain a full list of active line items linked to Capacity Building categories. These line items are used for claiming and budgeting.
🔗 Click here to access the full NDIS Pricing Arrangements
Why Capacity Building Matters
These supports are essential for building skills, achieving greater independence, and making meaningful progress towards your goals. They are also valuable in preparing for plan reassessments or reviews, as progress can be shown through provider reports or skill development.
Making the Most of Your Capacity Building Funding
To make sure your plan reflects your real needs:
- Be clear about your goals during your NDIS planning meeting
- Work with professionals to identify supports linked to those goals
- Keep documentation of progress or outcomes
- Ask for help if you’re unsure what your funding allows
Capacity Building supports are about growth, not just maintenance. They should help you live more independently, participate more fully, and feel more confident.
How Empowrd Can Help
Based in Port Lincoln and supporting the Eyre Peninsula and beyond, Empowrd offers:
- Local Support Coordination
- Australia-wide Plan Management
- Port Lincoln NDIS Pre-Planning and Review Support
We can help you:
- Understand how to use Capacity Building in your plan
- Connect with trusted allied health providers
- Request the right documentation to support your goals
Call
(08) 8683 4401 or visit our website to learn more.
NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination
At Empowrd, we are here to make your life easier. Based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, we offer a personal, accessible and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We provide Plan Management services across Australia, assisting with financial administration, and offer Support Coordination to participants in Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula, connecting them with the right supports and providers. Our goal is to ensure your NDIS plan works for you, so you can focus on achieving your goals and doing what you love.
Want to Become a Support Worker?
Our Independent Support Workers Education Portal provides everything you need to navigate the NDIS, find work, and confidently offer services as an Independent Support Worker. For just $65, you will gain access to comprehensive guides, essential resources, and ready-to-use templates to streamline your work.
Inside, you will find:
- A clear breakdown of how the NDIS works
- Tips for finding jobs and delivering services
- Step-by-step guidance on invoicing and support planning
- Ready-to-edit templates for quotes, service agreements, invoices, and case notes
Need just the templates? You can also purchase them separately as standalone resources.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
If you are ready to be Empowrd to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path.
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