Purple Leopard Plan Management

How long is an NDIS funding period?

There is no single timeframe that applies to every participant.

Funding periods can be one, 3, 6, or 12 months long, depending on your individual circumstances. In many cases, the NDIS may begin with 3-month funding periods, but the final length can be influenced by factors such as personal preference, support needs, identified risks, the total amount of funding in the plan, the types and costs of supports, and how funding has been used in previous plans.

Some supports may need shorter funding periods, while others, particularly where needs are more complex or costs are higher, may be structured over longer periods. The aim is to make funding available in a way that reflects your needs while helping your budget last across the life of the plan.

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Can unused NDIS funding roll over to the next funding period? Yes… within the same plan.

If you have funding left at the end of a funding period, the unused amount will roll over and be added to the funding available in your next funding period. This means you do not automatically lose funding just because it wasn’t fully spent within that timeframe.

However, rollover only applies between funding periods within the same NDIS plan. Understanding how this works can help you plan your spending and make sure your supports remain available when you need them.

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Funding components are the way related types of NDIS supports are grouped together within a participant’s plan.

Each funding components has its own allocated amount, which can be used for supports that fall within that specific part of the plan. For example, Core funding may cover everyday supports such as assistance with daily activities, while Capacity Building funding may be used for supports like therapy, skill development, or training.

Understanding funding components can make it easier to see how your plan is structured, what each part of your budget is intended for, and how your funding can be used.

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Supporting participants with other physical disability is a key part of the NDIS. As of 30 September 2025, 3% of all NDIS participants have a primary disability of other physical disability (with an annual growth of 1%).

Total payments made for supports (by support category):

- Core (Daily Activities): $780 million
- Core (Community): $306.6 million
- Core (Consumables & Transport): $62.5 million
- Capacity Building (Daily Activities): $142.9 million
- Capacity Building (Other): $56.4 million
- Capital: $146.9 million

The total payments made to providers was $1.49 billion with an average payment for supports of $74,400

- 86% participants aged 15+ said they had more choice and control
- 38% participants aged 15+ said they had more social and community engagement
- 97% parents and carers said the NDIS improved their child’s development
- 81% parents and carers said their child had become more independent as a result of the NDIS

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Your NDIS plan includes a total funding amount, which shows the overall amount approved for your reasonable and necessary supports across the length of your plan.

That total is then divided up into funding components, such as Core, Capacity Building, and Capital. Rather than all of the funding necessarily being available at once, each component may be released across specific funding periods, with each period showing how much is available and how long it needs to last.

Understanding your total funding amount, funding components, and funding periods can help you see how your plan is structured and make it easier to plan your spending over time.

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Your NDIS plan has been approved. So what happens next?

Once your plan is in place, you can start using your funding to purchase NDIS supports that relate to your disability and are in line with your approved plan. But understanding how that funding is organised, what you can and cannot buy, and how providers fit into the process can take a little time.

Our recent blog explains what happens after plan approval, how your funding is structured, the role providers plan, what to expect during NDIS check-ins, and when changes to your plan may be needed.

Read the full article online: www.purpleleopard.com.au/blog/ndis-plan

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Funding periods help organise when parts of your NDIS funding become available and how long that funding needs to last.

During each funding period, you can spend up to the amount that has been made available for that timeframe. Funding periods may apply to your total funding or to specific funding component amounts, depending on how your plan is structured.

Understanding your funding periods can help you plan ahead, keep track of your spending, and make sure your available budget lasts until the next funding period begins.

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Not every piece of equipment or technology will be funded as Assistive Technology (AT) under the NDIS. To be considered, the item generally needs to directly relate to your disability, support greater safety or independence, and be necessary because of your individual disability needs.

This may include equipment that reduces reliance on others, makes everyday tasks safer or easier, supports independence, or is specifically adapted to you. By contrast, ordinary household items, medical treatment, or rehabilitation equipment, and changes to public infrastructure are generally outside the scope of NDIS AT funding.

Understanding the criteria can make it easier to work out what may be considered AT and what evidence or justification might be needed when requesting funding.

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Assistive Technology (AT) includes equipment, devices, and technology designed to help people with disability complete everyday tasks more safely, easily, or independently.

AT can look very different depending on a person’s individual needs. It might include smaller items like adaptive cutlery or non-slip mats, larger equipment such as wheelchairs or adjustable beds, or communication technology that helps people understand, process, or express information.

Not every useful item is considered AT under the NDIS. Everyday household products that are commonly used by everyone are typically not funded simply because they make a task easier.

Understanding what counts as AT can help you make more informed decisions about the supports that may be appropriate for your needs and goals.

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Understanding how your NDIS funding is organised can make your plan much easier to navigate.

Our recent blog post breaks down the four NDIS support budgets, how support categories and support items fit within them, and the difference between flexible and stated funding. It also explains where you can go for help if they’re unsure about your budget or make a mistake when using your funding.

If you have ever looked at your NDIS plan and wondered what all the different budgets and categories actually mean, this guide is a helpful place to start.

Read the full article online: www.purpleleopard.com.au/blog/support-budgets

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