Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What the NDIS means by employment and education supports
- Which types of job and study supports may be funded
- What the NDIS generally won’t fund
- Examples of workplace and study-related equipment or adjustments
- How do I know if I have funding in my NDIS plan for employment supports?
- How Plan Hero can help you navigate these supports
Finding and keeping a job or continuing education can be a big goal for many NDIS participants. But understanding what the NDIS will actually fund to help you achieve that goal can feel unclear.
We speak to parents, carers and participants every week who ask things like: “Can the NDIS help with a TAFE course?” or “Will they fund a computer for my child’s studies?”
The short answer is this: the NDIS can fund supports related to your disability, not the general costs of working or studying that everyone has.
At Plan Hero, we help you understand those differences clearly. We’ll show you what’s likely to be covered, what isn’t, and what to do next — so you can use your funding with confidence.
Understanding NDIS Employment & Education Supports
The NDIS funds supports that help you prepare for, find, and keep a job, or access and continue education.
These supports usually sit across categories like:
- Assistance to access and maintain employment or higher education
- Development of daily living and life skills
- Therapeutic supports
- Assistive technology (AT)
To be funded, supports must be:
- Directly related to your disability, and
- Considered reasonable and necessary to help you achieve your goals
Important: The NDIS does not replace schools, universities, or employers.
You see this come up a lot. For example, employers are responsible for reasonable workplace adjustments, and education providers must support students with disability. The NDIS may only step in where your needs go beyond what those systems are required to provide.
Which Employment & Study Supports Can Be Funded?
Job coaching and employment support
The NDIS may fund support to help you build skills for work, such as:
- Developing work routines and communication skills
- Travel training to get to work safely
- Building confidence in a work environment
This usually sits under Assistance to access and maintain employment.
What’s out: It won’t replace mainstream services like Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA).
Resume and interview support
Funded when your disability impacts how you prepare or communicate. This may include:
- Help writing a resume
- Practising interviews
- Building communication skills
What’s out: General job search help available to everyone.
Workplace assessments
Often funded when linked to your disability needs. These assessments can:
- Identify barriers in your workplace
- Recommend modifications or equipment
Usually completed by an occupational therapist.
Laptops and computers for study
The NDIS does not fund standard devices.
However, funding may be possible if the device is part of assistive technology — for example, when it includes specialised accessibility software.
Assistive software
Funded when it directly supports your disability, such as:
- Screen readers
- Speech-to-text software
- Communication tools
What’s out: Standard software like Microsoft Office or subscriptions.
TAFE or course fees
The NDIS does not pay for course or tuition fees.
But it may fund supports that help you participate, like:
- A support worker in class
- Assistive technology
- Transport (if disability-related)
Tutoring
May be funded if it’s disability-specific (e.g. learning to use assistive tech).
What’s out: General academic tutoring.
Driving lessons
May be funded if:
- Driving is linked to your goals, and
- You need specialised or adapted training
What’s out: Standard driving lessons, licences, fuel or registration.
Workplace modifications
This is where things often get confusing.
The NDIS may fund disability-specific modifications, such as:
- Specialised equipment or assistive tech
- Modifications beyond standard adjustments
But: Employers are responsible for most workplace adjustments under law. The NDIS will only fund supports that go beyond those obligations.
Work clothing or equipment
Only funded if modified for disability needs.
What’s out: Standard uniforms, PPE, or work gear.
On-the-job support
The NDIS may fund support workers to assist you at work, including:
- Task support or supervision
- Communication support
- Personal care during work hours
What the NDIS Generally Does Not Fund
We walk families through this every day, because this is where most confusion happens.
The NDIS generally does not fund:
- Course or university fees
- Standard laptops or devices
- Work uniforms or equipment
- General transport costs
- Mainstream employment services (like Inclusive Employment Australia )
- General career coaching
These are considered everyday or mainstream costs.
Examples of Funded Supports (When Disability-Related)
Here are some common examples we see approved:
- Speech-to-text software for study
- Modified desks or ergonomic equipment
- Specialised driving lessons
- Support workers at work or study
- Travel training
The key question is always: Is this directly related to your disability and your goals?
How to know if you have funding for employment supports
This is one of the most common questions.
You might be thinking: “This sounds helpful — but is it actually in my plan?”
Here’s how to check.
1. Look at your plan categories
Employment supports are usually funded under:
- Capacity Building – Finding and Keeping a Job
- Sometimes Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living for skill-building supports linked to independence and work readiness
If you’re on the newer NDIS system (PACE), you’ll usually see this in your Funding section under Capacity Building supports.
2. Check your goals
The NDIS links funding to your goals. You’re more likely to have employment-related supports if your plan includes goals like:
- Getting a job
- Building independence
- Learning work or life skills
- Transitioning from school into employment
If a support is not clearly linked to your goals, it can be harder to claim.
3. Check whether your plan has stated supports
Some plans include stated supports, which means funding can only be used for specific supports or items.
If that applies to your plan, it’s important to check the wording carefully before making a commitment.
4. Review your available budget
Even if you have the right category, you still need enough funding available in that budget.
This means checking:
- What has already been used
- What funding is left
- Whether the support fits within the remaining budget
5. Check before you spend
This is the safest step.
Having funding in your plan does not automatically mean every employment support will be covered. The support still needs to be:
- Related to your disability
- Linked to your goals
- Reasonable and necessary
At Plan Hero, we help you understand which budget a support may come from, whether it looks claimable, and what to check before you commit. That way, you’re not left guessing — or paying out of pocket for something you assumed was covered.
How Plan Hero Can Help
Understanding what the NDIS will and won’t fund can feel overwhelming — especially when it overlaps with schools, employers, and other systems.
We see this every week. Someone’s about to pay for something and they’re not quite sure if it’s allowed. That’s where we step in.
At Plan Hero, we:
- Help you understand what you can claim
- Check supports before you commit to spending
- Track your budgets so you don’t run out early
- Process invoices quickly and correctly
If you’re on the newer NDIS system (PACE), we also make sure everything is set up properly so providers can be paid smoothly.
Most importantly, we keep a clear record of your plan and history — so you don’t have to repeat yourself every time you reach out.
With Plan Hero’s plan management, you’ll always know where you stand and what to do next — so you can focus on your goals, not the admin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the NDIS help me get a job?
Yes — but not in the way many people expect.
The NDIS won’t find you a job or act like a recruitment service. Instead, it funds disability-related supports that help you build the skills and confidence to get and keep a job.
This might include job coaching, workplace support, or help building communication skills.
Can the NDIS pay for TAFE or university fees?
No. The NDIS does not cover course fees, tuition, or student costs.
These are considered mainstream education expenses. However, the NDIS may fund supports that help you participate — like a support worker, assistive technology, or transport if needed due to your disability.
Can I use my NDIS funding to buy a laptop for study?
In most cases, no.
A standard laptop or tablet is considered an everyday item. But if the device is part of assistive technology — for example, it includes specialised software for your disability — funding may be possible.
If you’re unsure, it’s always worth checking before you buy. We help people with this every day.
Does the NDIS fund driving lessons?
Sometimes — but only in specific situations.
If your disability means you need specialised driving lessons or adapted vehicle training to reach your goals (like employment), it may be funded.
Standard driving lessons, licences, and car costs are not covered.
Can the NDIS fund a support worker at work or study?
Yes, this is one of the more common supports we see approved.
If your disability impacts your ability to complete tasks, communicate, or manage routines, a support worker may be funded to assist you in the workplace or during study.
Who pays for workplace modifications — the NDIS or my employer?
This is a big one, and we get asked this a lot.
Employers are responsible for making reasonable workplace adjustments under Australian law.
The NDIS may fund additional supports or modifications only if they go beyond what the employer is required to provide and are directly related to your disability.
Can the NDIS fund tutoring?
Only in certain situations.
If the tutoring is disability-specific — for example, learning to use assistive technology or building functional skills — it may be funded.
General tutoring to improve grades is not covered.
How do I know if something will be funded before I buy it?
This is where a lot of people get stuck — and sometimes out of pocket.
The safest approach is to check:
- If it’s related to your disability
- If it links to your NDIS goals
- If it’s considered reasonable and necessary
At Plan Hero, we can help you check this before you commit. You don’t have to guess.
Can my Plan Manager approve supports?
No — and this is important to understand.
A Plan Manager doesn’t approve or decline supports. That’s determined by the NDIS rules.
What we do is help you understand what’s likely to be claimable, check invoices, and guide you so you can make informed decisions.
We’ll always explain things clearly so you know where you stand.
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