If you’re wondering how to use your NDIS funding to live more independently, you’re not alone.
We speak to NDIS participants, parents and carers every day who want more independence but aren’t sure what supports they’re allowed to use or where to start. Many people worry they’ll “get it wrong” or spend funding the wrong way.
The good news is that NDIS funding is designed to support independent living. It’s there to help you build skills, maintain your independence, and live safely and confidently — with the right level of support for you.
Below are the most common and effective ways NDIS participants use their funding to live independently.
What independent living means under the NDIS
Independent living under the NDIS does not mean doing everything on your own.
It means having supports in place that help you live your life with more choice and control. What independence looks like depends on your goals, your circumstances and what support helps you function day to day.
For some people, independent living means learning daily life skills or moving out of home. For others, it means staying in their own home with support, accessing the community safely, or maintaining independence as needs change.
There is no minimum level of independence you need to reach before using your NDIS funding.
Using NDIS funding for support workers and daily living
One of the most common ways people use NDIS funding for independent living is through support workers.
NDIS funding can be used to support daily living activities such as cooking, meal preparation, cleaning, personal care if required, getting ready for the day, and establishing routines.
For many participants, support workers make it possible to live at home or move out with confidence. We often see participants start with more support and reduce it over time as skills and independence grow.
Using support workers is not a step backwards. It’s often the foundation that makes independent living possible.
Building independence through daily living and life skills supports
NDIS funding can also be used to build independence, not just provide assistance.
Supports may help with budgeting, managing money, shopping, meal planning, time management, travel training, or building confidence with everyday tasks.
These supports are designed to help you do more things independently over time. They are especially helpful for young adults transitioning into adulthood, people moving out of home, or participants rebuilding skills after a change in health or circumstances.
This type of NDIS support for independent living focuses on long-term outcomes, not short-term fixes.
Using NDIS funding for community access and participation
Living independently includes being able to access your community.
NDIS funding can support community access by helping you attend appointments, social activities, groups, programs or events. For some people, this includes a support worker going with them. For others, it may involve building skills to travel or participate independently.
We see every week how community access supports increase confidence and reduce isolation. For many participants, this is a key part of living independently.
Supported living and housing-related NDIS supports
Independent living does not always mean living alone.
Depending on your plan and goals, NDIS funding may support shared living arrangements, supported independent living, help with tenancy obligations, or short-term or medium-term accommodation while transitioning between living situations.
The NDIS recognises that independence looks different for everyone. The focus is on having the right supports in place so you can live safely and confidently.
Assistive technology and equipment for independent living
For many people, independence comes from having the right equipment.
NDIS funding may cover assistive technology and equipment such as mobility aids, communication devices, safety equipment, or modified household items that reduce reliance on others.
We regularly help participants understand whether assistive technology is likely to be funded and what supporting information is needed before purchasing equipment.
Therapy supports that help maintain independence
NDIS-funded therapy supports are commonly used by adults to maintain or build independence.
This can include occupational therapy to support daily living skills, speech therapy to improve communication and confidence, or exercise physiology to support strength, balance and mobility.
These supports focus on how you function in everyday life and how you can live as independently as possible.
How plan management supports independent living
Plan management helps make independent living easier by taking care of the financial side of your NDIS plan.
As a Plan Manager, Plan Hero helps you understand what you can use your funding for, pays invoices correctly and on time, tracks your budget, and gives you clear answers before you spend.
With your consent, we can contact providers or clinics to request reports or documentation needed for claims. We don’t organise or coordinate your supports, but we help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions.
Our team always works from your unique file and history, so you don’t have to explain your situation from scratch each time.
What to do if you’re unsure what your NDIS funding can be used for
If you’re unsure whether a support will help you live more independently, it’s always okay to ask before you spend.
Checking early, understanding how a support links to your goals, and getting clarity upfront can prevent stress later. Our Plan Managers speak to their participants every day who simply want reassurance that they’re using their NDIS funding the right way.
