When your NDIS plan arrives, it can feel like a lot to take in. There are budgets, support categories, registered and unregistered providers — and it's not always obvious what you can and can't spend your funding on. This guide breaks it down in plain English.

The three budget types

Every NDIS plan has up to three types of funding: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. Core Supports is the most flexible — it covers day-to-day assistance, community participation and consumables. Capacity Building is for building your skills and independence over time, including Support Coordination and therapies. Capital Supports is for big-ticket items like assistive technology and home modifications.

What is 'plan-managed' vs 'self-managed' vs 'NDIA-managed'?

How your plan is managed affects who you can use as a provider. NDIA-managed means you can only use registered providers. Self-managed gives you the most flexibility — you can use any provider, registered or not, and pay invoices yourself. Plan-managed sits in between: a plan manager handles the payments, and you can use both registered and unregistered providers.

Tips for making your plan work harder

First, make sure you understand your goals — they drive everything in your plan. Second, don't let funding sit unspent; the NDIA looks at utilisation when reviewing your plan. Third, if something isn't working, talk to your Support Coordinator early — there are often ways to flex your funding within the rules. And finally, start preparing for your plan review at least three months out.

If you'd like help understanding your specific plan, our Support Coordinators are happy to sit down with you and walk through it. Just give us a call.

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Support Coordination is funded in many NDIS plans, but it's one of the most misunderstood supports. Some participants think it's just about finding providers. Others aren't sure if they need it at all. Here's a clear picture of what it actually involves.

What a Support Coordinator actually does

A Support Coordinator helps you understand your plan, connect with the right providers, and make sure everything is working together. They're not a case manager — they don't make decisions for you. They're more like a knowledgeable guide who knows the system, knows the providers, and can help you navigate both.

When is it most valuable?

Support Coordination is most valuable when you're new to the NDIS, when your plan has changed significantly, when you're managing multiple providers, or when something has gone wrong and you need help sorting it out. It's also invaluable in the lead-up to a plan review.

Standard vs Specialist Support Coordination

Standard Support Coordination suits most participants. Specialist Support Coordination is for people with more complex needs — those involved with the justice system, experiencing housing instability, or managing significant mental health challenges. Specialist coordinators work across multiple systems and are trained for higher-risk situations.

Not sure which one is right for you? Give us a call and we'll have an honest conversation about it.

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DVA support: what veterans and families need to know

We know that making a referral is an act of trust. You're handing over someone's care to another organisation, and you want to know they'll be looked after. Here's exactly what happens when you refer a participant to Disability Talk.

Step 1: Send us the referral

Download our referral form and email it to [email protected], or call us on +61 3 8317 9090. We accept referrals from support coordinators, GPs, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, family members and participants themselves.

Step 2: We acknowledge within one business day

We acknowledge every referral within one business day. We'll confirm receipt, let you know who will be the point of contact, and flag if we need any additional information.

Step 3: We contact the participant

We reach out to the participant (or their representative) to introduce ourselves, understand their situation, and arrange an initial meeting. We keep you in the loop throughout.

What we need from you

The more context you can give us, the better. Participant name and contact details, NDIS plan details (if available), the services you're referring for, and any relevant background — health conditions, communication needs, current providers. Our referral form covers all of this.

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DVA support: what veterans and families need to know

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) provides a range of funded supports for eligible veterans and their families — but the system has its own rules, its own forms, and its own quirks. Here's a plain-English overview of what's available and how we can help.

What DVA funds

DVA can fund home care services (domestic assistance, personal care, meal preparation), allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology), community nursing, and aids and appliances. Eligibility depends on your DVA card type (Gold, White or Orange) and your accepted conditions.

Gold Card vs White Card

Gold Card holders have the broadest access — most health and support services are covered regardless of whether the condition is service-related. White Card holders are covered for treatment of accepted service-related conditions. If you're unsure what your card covers, we can help you work through it.

How Disability Talk helps DVA clients

We're experienced with DVA funding and the unique needs of veterans and their families. We handle the paperwork, liaise with DVA on your behalf, and make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to. We also understand that many veterans are reluctant to ask for help — we take a low-key, practical approach that respects that.

If you or a family member holds a DVA card and needs support at home or in the community, give us a call. We'll have a straightforward conversation about what's available.

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