NDIS Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living

As a subcategory of your NDIS Capacity Building budget, Improved Daily Living includes a wide variety of supports and services to help build and improve your general life skills, assist in independent living, and increase participation in your local community. As long as the services are considered reasonable and necessary, you may use this funding to help develop and improve your skills to stay in your own home, make your own decisions, and live the inclusive life you deserve. These services can be provided on an individual or group basis.

What Is NDIS Improved Daily Living 

NDIS Improved Daily Living is a category of your Capacity Building budget used to provide you with the services and skills training needed to better manage your daily living activities and help you to build a better and more independent life. NDIS Improved Daily Living includes assessment, training, strategy development, therapeutic services, and direct assistance to help develop or increase your skills and capacity for independent living and community participation. 

How NDIS Improved Daily Living Can Help

• Early Childhood Interventions
• Therapy Supports
• Increased Community Participation 
• Hearing Assistance
• Multidisciplinary Teams
• Nursing Care
• Specialised Driving Training
• Low-Cost Assistive Technology
• Training For Support People

Early Childhood Intervention For Ages Seven Years And Under

This NDIS support area helps children under the age of seven with developmental delays or disabilities, their families, caregivers, and key workers in increasing their capacity for functional independence and social participation. These support services must be directly related to the significant and permanent disability impairment of the child and assist in the performance of activities of daily living. There are a wide variety of funded early childhood intervention services to assist with your child’s development. This can include a package of support services catered to meet your child’s individual needs. Services can be provided in the home, in early childhood educational settings, or in your community. This includes appropriate assessments, strategy development, identified training, and early childhood therapeutic Intervention. 

Early Childhood Intervention support services can only be delivered by the following health professionals or approved therapy assistants under their supervision.

• Psychologist ­­
  • An allied health professional currently registered as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
• Counsellor
  • An allied health professional who is a member of the Australian Counselling Association or accredited with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
• Exercise Physiologist 
  • A professionally accredited exercise physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia.
• Physiotherapist ­
  • A health professional currently registered as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
• Other Professionals
  • A professional considered appropriate to deliver services that meet the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission’s requirements for Early Intervention Supports for Early Childhood Registration Group.

Therapy Supports 

This NDIS support area provides critical therapeutic services to build and improve the functional capacity of individuals over the age of seven with an established disability. Independent living requires a variety of basic living skills such as showering, dressing, toileting, mobility, meal preparation, and housekeeping chores. This NDIS category of your Capacity Building budget provides a wide range of skilled professionals and therapeutic services to identify strategies and build your skills to manage everyday life. Services include appropriate assessments, treatment planning, training, and the delivery of therapeutic supports directly related to your significant and permanent impairments. 

A blend of medical and disability therapies is used to effectively meet the NDIS goals of living a more independent, self-directed, and inclusive life. Therapy services focus on adjusting, adapting, and building the individual’s capacity for independent living and participation in the community.

Maintenance Therapy

The provision of ongoing long-term therapy can be considered reasonable and necessary and included in the NDIS plan if the therapy is needed to achieve small incremental gains in function or prevent the decline of functional capacity. If a medical condition or disability requires a specific therapy to maintain function or slow the deterioration of a body part, appropriate training should be provided to caregivers that can continue to work with the individual towards this goal as part of usual daily care.

Therapy support services can only be delivered by the following professionals or approved therapy assistants under their supervision.

• Psychologist ­­
  • An allied health professional currently registered as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
• Counsellor
  • An allied health professional who is a member of the Australian Counselling Association or accredited with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
• Exercise Physiologist 
  • A professionally accredited exercise physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia.
• Physiotherapist ­
  • A health professional currently registered as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
  • An allied health professional that is a member of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors or equivalent.
• Art Therapist
  • A professional that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the individual and is a  member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
• Podiatrist 
  • A health care professional currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) to treat and manage conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and legs.

• Orthoptist 
  •  An eye health professional currently registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board.
• Audiologist
  • A licensed hearing professional currently certified as an accredited audiologist by Audiology Australia or a full member as an audiologist with the Australian College of Audiology.
• Dietitian
  • A healthcare professional expert in nutrition and dietetics and accredited as a practising dietitian with Dietitians Australia.
• Occupational Therapist
  • An allied health professional focusing on the functional abilities to perform activities of daily living and currently registered as an occupational therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). 
• Speech Pathologist
  • An allied health professional trained to help with disorders and disabilities affecting communication or safely swallowing food and liquids and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) approved by Speech Pathology Australia.
• Developmental Educator
  • An allied health professional specialising in the practical support of individuals with a disability or disorder to achieve their fullest independence and is a full member of Developmental Educators Australia.
• Music Therapist
  • An allied health professional using music to actively support individuals to improve their health and function, and a registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association.
• Social Worker
  • An allied health professional dedicated to assisting individuals in improving their personal and social well-being, connecting them with essential support services, and is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Other Professionals
  • A professional therapist that has been considered appropriate to deliver services and accepted by an approved quality auditor of the NDIS Commission as having the relevant qualifications, expertise, and experience.

Increased Community Participation 

Social and community participation support services are a vital part of your NDIS Capacity Building budget. These funds are to be used to assist you in achieving your NDIS goals of a higher level of independence, social interaction, and community participation. Social, recreational, and economic activities are a part of everyday life. NDIS Improved Daily Living includes supports that are considered reasonable and necessary to eliminate the barriers that prevent participation and empower the individual to take part in their community and activities that build relationship skills and improve social interaction.

Funds from this category can be used for activities with capacity-building components

• Universal Recreational Activities
  • Lesson or class fees that allow the individual to try an activity and test their ability and interest, such as various art classes, music, dance, gymnastics, horseback riding, swimming, and martial arts.
• Camp or Group Activities
  • Fees associated with team sports, tuition for camps that offer a range of activities, scout groups, and other organisations that offer opportunities to explore new things
• Adjustment Items
  • Customised tools or adaptive equipment related to the individual’s disability such as adaptive sporting equipment, gripping device or stand for a musical instrument, or specialised outdoor recreational equipment.
• Support Assistance
  • Establishing volunteer support, community mentoring, peer support, or individual skill development to engage in an activity or participate in a group.

Hearing Services

This area of your NDIS Improved Living budget provides funding for hearing services not covered by your medical benefits or other service areas of your NDIS Plan.

These support services can only be delivered by the following professionals

• Audiologist
  • A licensed hearing professional currently certified as an accredited audiologist by Audiology Australia or a full member as an audiologist with the Australian College of Audiology.
• Audiometrist
  • A healthcare professional technician specially trained in the use of pure tone audiometry equipment to conduct hearing screenings and is a current full member of the Hearing Aid Audiometrist Society of Australia or the Australian College of Audiology.

 Multidisciplinary Teams

This support category of the NDIS Improved Daily Living budget provides a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to capacity building for individuals over the age of seven. A variety of health and social care professionals with a wide range of specialisation work as a team to create and deliver an effective comprehensive plan of care unique to the individual’s needs. Each team member brings their particular expertise and perspective to the team through the evaluation, strategy building, planning, and implementation process. Multidisciplinary teams have proven to be an efficient method of providing collaboration between diverse disciplines, improving the supports and services received by individuals towards meeting their NDIS plan goals.  Each team member will claim their fee for service against a single support item. This allows for a flexible strategy and implementation of services to reflect the changing needs of an individual. 

Nursing Care

This area of the NDIS Improved Daily Living Capacity Building budget provides funding for nursing care directly related to the individual’s disability that is not covered by the usual health system or another part of their NDIS plan. This can include services such as training by a nursing professional for you, a family member, or other caregivers in taking medications correctly, wound care, or operating and maintaining necessary medical equipment that helps you maintain your independence and build your skills in living a healthier life.

These nursing services can only be provided by 

• Enrolled Nurse
  • A healthcare professional that provides nursing care under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse and is classified as an enrolled nurse under the Nurses Award 2020.

• Registered Nurse
  • A healthcare professional that provides direct nursing care and is classified as a level 1 registered nurse (RN1) under the Nurses Award 2020. A nurse is designated as an RN1 if they have completed the required education, demonstrated competence to practise, and are registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as a registered nurse in Australia.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist 
  • A healthcare professional that is considered an expert in a specific area of nursing, provides direct clinical nursing care, and is classified as a level 2 registered nurse (RN2) under the Nurses Award 2020. A clinical nurse is a more experienced and skilled registered nurse. The duties of a clinical nurse include delivering direct and comprehensive nursing care to individuals with complex needs and case management in a specific area of nursing practice.
• Clinical Nurse Consultant 
  • A healthcare professional that provides nursing care and is classified as a level 3 registered nurse (RN3) or higher under the Nurses Award 2020. A clinical nurse consultant is an advanced practice role including additional legislative functions and regulatory requirements. These include a required educational level, specified advanced nursing practice experience, and continuing professional education. A clinical nurse consultant is a specialist that provides expert advice to patients or other health professionals within their defined specialty area. 
• Nurse Practitioner
  • A healthcare professional protected as the only advanced nursing practice in Australia and classified as a Nurse Practitioner under the Nurses Award 2020. A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. These specialised nurses have independent practices providing direct clinical care within their scope under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. A nurse practitioner provides essential patient-centred medical care, increasing the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services.

Specialised Driving Training 

This Capacity Building support category provides specialised driving lessons that are directly related to an individual’s disability. Recommendations for this training should be made based on the assessment of an occupational therapist with advanced training in driver assessments and rehabilitation. Following a full assessment of the individual’s capabilities and limitations, the occupational therapist will develop a rehabilitation and training program to fit their specific needs. Specialised driver training needs must be written into the NDIS plan and quotes for instruction submitted for NDIS approval. There is no price allocation for this item and prior approval of quotes is required.

Driving instructors will work closely with the occupational therapist, reviewing the individual’s progress and making adjustments to the rehabilitation plan to ensure the best possible outcomes. Driving instructors should have advanced skills specifically needed when working with a variety of disabilities. Regular professional development training should be provided by an occupational therapist trained in driver rehabilitation. 

Areas of training include

• Operating  vehicle modifications 
• How to train individuals with Autism
• Working with developmental and intellectual disabilities
• Strategies for overcoming learning difficulties

Low-Cost Assistive Technology That Supports the Delivery Of Other Capacity Building Services 

This Improved Daily Living support area of the NDIS Capacity Building budget was developed to meet the growing need for online services, such as telehealth appointments, webinar training, and video conferencing. These services were needed due to the suspension of face-to-face services with social distancing regulations related to Covid-19. These funds can be used to purchase low-cost smart devices to enable individuals to access these new online services to maintain NDIS-funded programs, therapies, or interpretive services such as Auslan. 

 

Device Guidelines

• Individuals should not spend more than $750 on electronic devices needed to maintain existing services. In the case of computer tablets or iPads for telehealth or participating in online video classes, NDIS Assistive Technology specialists advise that a standard tablet is sufficient to meet these needs and cost no more than $600.
• The device must directly relate to the individual’s disability. 
• A device cannot be purchased for entertainment, education, or gaming purposes. 
• The smart device must not have extra specifications above the basic model. 
• Funds can only be used to purchase a device that is fit for the purpose of maintaining NDIS-funded supports. 
• The device will generally be the lowest specification. Higher specifications devices will only be justified if they are required as a result of a person’s disability. Consultation with a specialised Assistive Technology provider is needed before making a purchase of more complex products.
• Devices with mobile connections cannot be purchased. Tablets, iPads, or computers must connect using Wi-Fi.
• Multiple devices can not be purchased. A single device can be purchased if the individual does not already own or have use of a device that would provide continued access to NDIS supports and services
• Internet connection is considered an ordinary living cost and may not be paid for with this funding.
• Additional hardware and accessories may be purchased if related to using the device because of the individual’s disability, such as mounting on a wheelchair for a person with limited grip or a rugged case due to behaviour issues.
• Additional hardware and accessories, other than standard protective cases will not be funded by this category. This includes screen protectors, carrying bags, additional chargers, selfie sticks, or connection cables.

Training For Support People

Families, caregivers, and support workers are often an important part of everyday life for a person with disabilities. This area of your NDIS Capacity Building plan can be used to train those delivering that care. Improved Daily Living funds provide essential training to learn new skills, improve existing ones, or increase confidence in helping individuals with disabilities. Training can be used for your family, caregivers, or support workers. Funds from this category can also be used to provide training for a parent, other family members, guardian, or friend that wants to officially become your caregiver, but lacks the necessary skills. 

A broad range of qualified health professionals can provide the appropriate training and advice in supporting an individual with disabilities. As long as the skill needed is directly related to the individual’s disability and will help to improve everyday life, these funds may be utilised to provide reasonable and necessary training. 

Some examples of training that would aid the development or increase the level of skills and capacity for independence and community participation

• A dietician to learn about foods to support specific nutritional needs related to a medical condition or understand food labels.
• A physiotherapist to determine the best mobility options out in the community and help you and your caregivers in learning to use them.
• An exercise physiologist to supervise an appropriate exercise plan to maintain the function of a body part and teach caregivers to safely assist or deliver the exercise. 
• A speech pathologist to train caregivers in safe practices in serving food and drink to individuals with swallowing disorders.
• A nurse to teach a caregiver how to provide the proper and prescribed wound care and dressing changes. 
• An occupational therapist to train caregivers on how to provide or assist with safe transfers in the home.

Improved Daily Living Assessments 

A variety of allied health professionals can conduct the necessary assessments to help you receive the vital funding, therapy support, and equipment you need to improve your daily life.

Functional assessments are used as both a diagnostic and planning tool. They help create a snapshot of the current functional status of a person with a disability and determine what supports are needed. NDIS-registered allied health professionals can provide the appropriate functional assessments and supporting reports to be submitted for NDIS consideration. A detailed assessment and report will increase your chances of funding approval. A functional assessment of daily living activities will identify the specific skills of the individual that need to be developed or improved. The accompanying report should summarise the findings of the assessment, provide a recommended plan of action, and show how the recommended support will help achieve the NDIS plan goals and meet the criteria of a reasonable and necessary need. Improved Daily Living funds can be used to conduct these assessments and reports that identify and support your needs.