Finding and keeping a job or continuing education can be a big goal for many NDIS participants. But understanding what the NDIS may actually fund to help you achieve that goal can feel unclear.
The NDIS can fund disability-related supports that help you prepare for work, keep a job, or access education and training. It does not usually fund the general costs of work or study that everyone has.
At Plan Hero, we help you understand what may be claimable, what is not usually covered, and what to check before you spend.
In this guide
- Understanding NDIS employment and education supports
- What employment supports may be funded
- What study supports may be funded
- What the NDIS does not fund
- How to know if you have funding for employment supports
- How Plan Hero can help
Understanding NDIS employment and education supports
The NDIS may fund supports that help you:
- prepare for work
- find and keep a job
- build work-related skills
- access education or training
These supports usually need to be:
- related to your disability
- linked to your NDIS goals
- considered reasonable and necessary
The NDIS does not replace the responsibilities of employers, schools, universities, TAFEs, or mainstream employment services. It may only fund supports where your disability-related needs go beyond what those systems are expected to provide.
What employment supports may be funded
Job coaching and work skills
The NDIS may fund disability-related supports that help you build the skills needed for work.
- communication and social skills for the workplace
- building routines and confidence
- travel training to get to work safely
- support with transitioning into work
Resume and interview support
If your disability affects how you prepare for work, you may be able to use funding for disability-specific support with:
- resume preparation
- interview practice
- communication and confidence building
General job search services available to everyone are not usually funded.
On-the-job support
The NDIS may fund support in the workplace where it is directly related to your disability. This may include:
- task support or supervision
- help with routines and communication
- personal care support during work hours
Workplace assessments
A workplace assessment may be funded where it helps identify disability-related barriers and the supports or equipment needed to do your job safely and effectively.
Workplace modifications
Some disability-specific modifications or equipment may be funded. However, the NDIS does not usually cover adjustments that are the employer’s responsibility.
What study supports may be funded
Support while studying
The NDIS may fund supports that help you access education or training where those supports are related to your disability.
- a support worker in class
- assistive technology
- transport support where your disability prevents you from travelling independently
Assistive technology and software
The NDIS may fund disability-related assistive technology, such as:
- screen readers
- speech-to-text software
- communication tools
- other accessibility software linked to your disability needs
Standard devices and everyday software are not usually funded unless they form part of an approved assistive technology solution.
Tutoring and course participation
The NDIS may fund disability-specific support that helps you participate in study. It does not usually fund tutoring for general academic improvement.
Driving lessons linked to work goals
Specialised driving lessons may be funded if your disability means you need adapted instruction or training to work towards your goals. Standard driving lessons are not usually funded.
What the NDIS does not fund
These are generally considered mainstream or everyday costs:
- course, university, or TAFE fees
- standard laptops, tablets, or computers
- general tutoring
- general job search or recruitment services
- career coaching available to the general public
- standard work uniforms or PPE
- general transport costs
- driver’s licence fees, registration, fuel, or insurance
These supports are usually the responsibility of education providers, employers, mainstream employment services, or the participant as an everyday cost.
How to know if you have funding for employment supports
Not sure if something is covered? Here is how to check.
1. Look at your plan categories
Employment supports are often 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
2. Check your goals
Funding is more likely to align where your goals include things like:
- getting a job
- building independence
- learning work or life skills
- transitioning from school into employment
3. Check whether your plan has stated supports
Some plans include stated supports, which means funding can only be used for certain supports or items.
4. Review your available budget
Even if you have the right category, there still needs to be enough funding available in that budget.
- check what has already been used
- check what funding is left
- check whether the support fits within the remaining budget
5. Check before you spend
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, and considered reasonable and necessary.
How Plan Hero can help
Understanding NDIS employment and education supports can feel confusing when different systems overlap.
At Plan Hero, we help you understand what may be claimable, how your budget is tracking, and what to check before committing to a support. We manage invoices, track budgets, and help you make informed decisions about your plan.
