Understanding NDIS Funding Periods
Your Guide to Better Budget Management
The NDIA has made important changes to how participants get and manage their support funding. These new funding periods are one of the biggest updates to the NDIS, changing how your funding is given out and managed.
What are NDIS funding periods?
Funding periods are time blocks when parts of your NDIS plan funding become available to use. Instead of getting your whole yearly budget at once, you now get it in chunks throughout your plan, usually every 3 months.
This helps you spread out your spending and make sure your funding lasts your whole plan.
What are the changes behind funding periods?
For people with plans approved on or after 9 October 2024, the new system includes:
Funding component amounts: The exact money set aside for specific supports or groups of supports in your plan.
Funding periods: When parts of your funding become available and how long you have to use it.
The biggest change is that you cannot spend more than what’s available in your plan. This is different from before, when extra funding might have been given if budgets ran out early.
How do funding periods work?
When you get your funds
Your funding will usually be released every three months. This gives you flexibility while helping you manage your budget better. Different parts of your plan might have different time periods depending on your needs.
Budget management
Funding periods don’t change your total funding amount, only when you can access your funds. If you don’t use funds in one time period, they roll over to the next time block in the same plan, giving you some flexibility.
What this means for you
You now need to be more careful with your budget. If you try to spend more than what’s available in your plan, funding period, or support category, the payment will be rejected. This means you need to plan and watch your budget management carefully.
The good news is that this system makes it easier to know when your funding will be available. This helps you plan your supports and know what to expect.
How to manage your funding periods well
Keep track of your funding
Watch how much you spend in each funding period. Many plan management apps now help you track this, showing how much fundingyou have left and what you’ve already used.
Get help early
The NDIA wants you to contact them early if you think you might overspend or if your situation changes. Getting help early can prevent bigger problems later.
Use professional support
Your support coordinator, local area coordinator, or early childhood partner can help you manage your funding periods well. These people understand the system and can help you make the most of your budget.
Contact information
If you need help or have questions about your funding periods, call the NDIA on 1800 800 110. It’s better to call early if you have concerns.
What’s next
These funding periods are designed to give participants flexibility. As everyone gets used to the new system, participants and providers will find better ways to manage funding periods.
Key points to remember
- You get your funding in three-month chunks for better money management
- You cannot spend more than what’s available in your plan
- Unused money from one period rolls over to the next period in your plan
- Contact the NDIA early if you’re worried about overspending
- Your total funding amount stays the same, only the timing of when you get it changes
- There are people available to help you understand these changes
These changes might take some getting used to, but with good planning and support, they can help you manage your budget better and get better results from your NDIS plan.
Remember, these changes are designed to help you make your funding last your whole plan while still giving you the flexibility to get the supports you need when you need them.
How Therapy Pro can help
As a registered NDIS provider, Therapy Pro understands the importance of managing your funding to help you to achieve your goals. Our experienced team works closely with participants and support coordinators to ensure your funding is used effectively within the new funding period structure.
We can help you plan your therapy sessions and supports to fit within your budget timeframes, while focussing on the outcomes that matter most to you. Whether you need occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, social work, or positive behaviour support, our team is here to support you in navigating these changes and maximising the impact of your NDIS funding.
Reach out to our client service team if you have any specific questions.
