NDIS Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity) Guide 2026-27

NDIS Improved Daily Living (also called CB Daily Activity) is one of the most useful funding categories in your NDIS plan. It funds therapies, assessments, and training to help you build skills and independence. Working out what it covers, the line item codes, and current pricing can be confusing.

This guide explains Category 15 funding in 2026: what services you can access, how much they cost, the specific line item codes providers use, and how to make the most of your Capacity Building budget.

Quick Comparison: What Can Each Therapy Type Do for You?

Rates from the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27, effective 1 July 2026. Source: NDIS Support Catalogue

What is CB Daily Activity in Your NDIS Plan?

CB Daily Activity is the term you’ll see in your NDIS portal for what’s officially called “Improved Daily Living” in your plan documents. This Capacity Building category (Category 15) funds therapies and training that help you build skills for greater independence.

CB Daily Activity vs Improved Daily Living: Are They Different?

No. CB Daily Activity and Improved Daily Living are exactly the same thing. The NDIS uses both terms interchangeably across different systems, which can be confusing. “CB Daily Activity” appears in the myplace portal, while “Improved Daily Living” is used in official plan documents and the NDIS Support Catalogue. Knowing this helps you read your plan and find the right supports.

Quick Reference: Improved Daily Living at a Glance

For pricing across all therapy services and support categories, browse the complete NDIS price guide with searchable codes and current rates.

What is NDIS Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity)?

Improved Daily Living is a Capacity Building support category (Category 15) that funds assessment, training, and therapy to help you develop skills for greater independence. As noted above, your plan may label it “Improved Daily Living” while the myplace portal calls it “CB Daily Activity”; both mean the same category, and the PACE system is gradually standardising the wording.

The NDIA released an Operational Guideline for Therapy Supports alongside the November 2025 PAPL v1.1 update, setting out which therapy supports are funded and how providers deliver and claim for them. The category mainly covers therapies and training for people aged 7 and over, and also includes specialised early childhood supports for younger children (under 9 during the current transition). It covers both therapeutic work and practical, real-world skills like budgeting or using public transport.

What Makes It Different from Core Supports?

Key distinction: A support worker helping you shower uses Core funding. An OT teaching you strategies to shower independently uses Improved Daily Living funding.

Capacity Building vs. Core Supports: Knowing Your Budgets

Improved Daily Living is one of the Capacity Building categories, so it follows Capacity Building rules: funding is generally stated at the category level and cannot move to Core or Capital, though within the Improved Daily Living category itself PACE plans usually let you choose the mix of therapies (more on that below). Core Supports, by contrast, is the flexible everyday-funding budget.

For the full picture of each budget, see our NDIS Core Supports guide and NDIS Capacity Building supports guide, or the side-by-side Core vs Capacity Building comparison.

The pair people most often confuse is Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) and Assistance with Daily Life (Core). The difference is purpose: Assistance with Daily Life pays someone to do a task for you (a support worker showering or cleaning for you), while Improved Daily Living pays a professional to teach you skills to do it more independently (an OT teaching strategies for independent showering). Matching each support to the right budget keeps your plan running well.

What Can Improved Daily Living Funding Be Used For?

The Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity) category covers a wide range of supports that build a participant’s functional capacity, independence, and community involvement. The funding pays for assessment, training, therapy, and specific capacity-building services, delivered either one-on-one or in groups.

The range of supports means plans can be built around individual needs and goals. This flexibility within the category lets participants combine different therapies and training programs into a support package that fits their specific challenges and goals.

Here is a detailed breakdown of common supports funded under this category:

Calculate your therapy sessions: Use our free NDIS Therapy Hours Calculator to estimate how many OT, physio, psychology, and speech sessions you can get with your CB Daily Activities budget.

1. Therapeutic Supports & Assessments:

This is often the largest component, involving allied health professionals working directly with participants to assess needs and deliver interventions:

Occupational Therapy (OT): Focuses on improving participation in daily activities (occupations). This includes functional assessments, developing skills for tasks like dressing, cooking, personal care, fine motor control, recommending assistive technology, and suggesting home modifications related to skill-building.

Psychology: Provides therapy aimed at building capacity related to the impact of a disability. This might involve developing emotional regulation strategies (e.g., for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD), learning coping mechanisms for disability-related stress, or improving social interaction skills impacted by the disability. This is different from treatment for primary mental health conditions, which usually falls under the mainstream health system. You often need clear justification linking the psychology support to specific disability-related capacity building goals.

Physiotherapy: Aims to improve movement and physical function, including mobility, strength, balance, and coordination, enabling greater participation in daily life.

Speech Therapy (Speech Pathology): Addresses communication challenges (speech, language, comprehension, social communication) and can also assist with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) that impact eating and drinking safely.

Exercise Physiology: Involves designing and delivering tailored exercise programs to manage the functional impact of a disability, improve fitness, endurance, and overall capacity for daily tasks.

Dietetics: Provides nutritional assessment and advice specifically related to disability needs that affect health, well-being, and the ability to participate in daily activities (e.g., managing dietary requirements for specific conditions, advice for texture-modified diets).

Counselling: Offers support related to adjusting to disability, building resilience, developing coping strategies, and managing the psychosocial impacts of disability on daily life.

Social Work: Can provide capacity-building support in areas like working through complex service systems, developing support networks, planning for life transitions, and improving problem-solving skills.

Developmental Education: Focuses on practical skill development for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, promoting independence in daily living, learning, and community participation.

Audiology, Podiatry, Orthoptics: Provide assessments and therapies related to hearing, foot care, and vision where these impact daily functioning due to disability.

Therapy Assistants: Work under the supervision of qualified therapists to help participants practice skills and implement therapy programs. They are distinct from general support workers who provide direct assistance.

Art Therapy / Music Therapy: Use creative mediums as therapeutic tools to help participants reach goals related to emotional expression, communication, motor skills, and cognitive function.

2. Skill Development & Training:

This focuses on teaching practical skills for greater independence:

General Skill Development: Covers a wide range of practical life skills training. Examples include participating in cooking workshops to learn meal preparation, money management training for budgeting and financial literacy, time management coaching, and learning effective household chore routines.

Public Transport Training: Specific training to learn how to use buses, trains, or trams independently and safely.

Assistance with Decision Making, Daily Planning, Budgeting: Targeted support to develop the executive functioning skills you need to manage daily life.

Training for Parents/Carers: Giving family members or carers the strategies and knowledge to support the participant’s skill development and reinforce learning at home. This recognises the role the support network plays in lasting outcomes.

Driving Lessons/Specialised Training: Funding may be available for driving lessons if obtaining a license is directly linked to achieving independence goals impacted by disability. This can also include specialised training needed to operate vehicle modifications.

Technology Skills Workshops: Training to improve digital literacy, enabling participants to use computers, tablets, or smartphones for communication, accessing information, or managing daily tasks.

3. Other Capacity-Building Supports:

Specialised/Wearable Technology: Funding may cover technology specifically designed to build capacity in daily activities, distinct from general assistive technology funded under the Capital budget. Justification must clearly link the technology to skill development.

4. Early Childhood Intervention:

For children younger than 7 (or younger than 9 under the phased rollout), this category funds early intervention supports. These are evidence-based therapies and programs designed to help young children with developmental delay or disability build foundational skills essential for learning, participation, and future independence. From October 2026, starting in NSW and reaching national scale by January 2028, children with low to moderate support needs may receive these supports through the new Thriving Kids program rather than through NDIS plans.

Supports funded here can overlap with mainstream services (like health or education) or other NDIS budgets (like Capital Assistive Technology), so plan carefully. Goals must be clearly defined, and justifications must directly link the requested support to building capacity related to the participant’s disability within the scope of the Improved Daily Living category.

CB Daily Activity Examples by Disability Type

Different disabilities require different approaches to capacity building. Here are common CB Daily Activity supports tailored to specific disability types:

For Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Occupational Therapy for sensory regulation strategies and daily routine management
• Psychology for anxiety management and emotional regulation techniques
• Speech therapy for understanding social cues and improving communication skills
• Developmental education for building social skills and community participation

For Participants with Physical Disabilities

• Physiotherapy for improving mobility, strength, and physical independence
• Occupational Therapy assessments for adaptive equipment recommendations
• Exercise physiology for building functional capacity and endurance
• Skills training for learning to use mobility aids and assistive technology

For Participants with Intellectual Disabilities

• Developmental education for money management and budgeting skills
• Public transport training to build travel independence
• Occupational Therapy for daily living skills like cooking and personal care
• Speech pathology for communication strategies and social skills development

For Participants with Psychosocial Disabilities

• Psychology for coping strategies and symptom management
• Occupational Therapy for establishing daily routines and structure
• Social work for navigating systems and building support networks
• Counselling for resilience building and adjustment support

Making the Most of Your Funding: Rules, Flexibility & Costs

Using Improved Daily Living funding well means understanding the rules around flexibility, pricing, and costs like travel and cancellations. These rules keep funds used appropriately and stay clear for both participants and providers.

Funding Flexibility Rules:

The flexibility of how Improved Daily Living funds can be spent depends largely on the type of NDIS plan:

PACE Plans: The NDIS PACE system, being rolled out in stages, generally gives more flexibility. Funding in the Improved Daily Living category in a PACE plan can usually be used for any eligible support within that category (as listed in the NDIS Support Catalogue), as long as it fits the participant’s goals. For instance, a participant with $10,000 in this category aiming to manage anxiety could spend it entirely on Psychology, entirely on Occupational Therapy (if justified for anxiety management), or on a mix of eligible therapies like Counselling or Social Work. This lets participants choose the supports they think will work best, but it also puts more responsibility on them (or their support network or coordinator) to understand the category’s scope and make informed decisions.

Older (Non-PACE) Plans: Plans created before the PACE rollout may contain ‘stated supports’. In this case, the plan might specify exactly which therapy the funding is for (e.g., “$8,000 for Speech Pathology”). If supports are stated, the funding must be used for that specific purpose and cannot be redirected to other therapies within the Improved Daily Living category.

General Rule (All Plans): Regardless of plan type, funding allocated to a Capacity Building category like Improved Daily Living cannot be transferred or used for supports that fall under the Core Supports budget (e.g., paying for ongoing cleaning) or the Capital Supports budget (e.g., buying a wheelchair).

NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL):

The NDIS sets rules around how much providers can charge for supports:

Price Limits: The NDIS publishes the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) document, usually updated annually around July 1st. This document outlines the maximum price that registered NDIS providers can charge for specific support items, identified by unique line item codes. The accompanying NDIS Support Catalogue lists these items and their codes.

Negotiation: Participants (especially if self-managed or plan-managed) and providers can negotiate a price lower than the official price limit. Unregistered providers are not bound by the price limits but must still adhere to principles of fair pricing.

No Extra Charges: Registered providers are prohibited from charging more than the price limit for price-limited supports. They also cannot add extra fees, such as ‘gap’ payments, credit card surcharges, or booking fees, to the cost of NDIS supports.

For comprehensive information about current NDIS pricing, see our NDIS Price Guide and NDIS Line Items Guide which provide detailed information about codes and pricing arrangements.

Updates (e.g., 2024-25): Pricing arrangements change over time. For example, the 2024-25 updates included changes to price limits for supports delivered by Disability Support Workers (based on wage increases), the removal of the Temporary Transformation Payment (TTP) loading, continued price freezes for some therapy and coordination supports, and changes to cancellation policies. Keep an eye on the current PAPL. Pricing shifts with market conditions, wage costs, and scheme sustainability work. Price freezes in areas like therapy, despite rising operating costs, can put pressure on providers and may affect service availability or quality.

Therapist Travel Costs:

Providers delivering therapy under Improved Daily Living can charge for the time spent travelling to and from participant appointments, subject to specific rules:

Claimable Time: The maximum travel time claimable each way depends on the participant’s location, classified by the Modified Monash Model (MMM) zones:

• Up to 30 minutes each way in MMM zones 1-3 (major cities, inner/outer regional).
• Up to 60 minutes each way in MMM zones 4-5 (remote/very remote).

Return Travel: Travel time from the participant’s location back to the provider’s usual place of work is only claimable if the participant was the last appointment of the day/trip and the provider is required to pay their worker for that return travel time. The maximum claimable return time is also capped at 30 minutes (MMM 1-3) or 60 minutes (MMM 4-5).

Shared Travel: If a provider travels to see multiple participants in one trip, the total travel time can be reasonably divided (apportioned) among those participants. This arrangement must be agreed upon in advance within the service agreement.

Billing: Travel charges must be billed separately from the therapy service itself using a specific “Provider Travel” line item code that corresponds to the main therapy code. The hourly rate for travel is typically the same as the therapy rate, unless a different rate is agreed upon beforehand.

Short Notice Cancellations:

The NDIS allows providers to charge a fee if a participant cancels an appointment without providing sufficient notice.

Policy Change (July 2024): The notice period required to avoid a cancellation fee now differs based on the type of support.

• For supports delivered by disability support workers (often falling under the DSW Cost Model, primarily Core supports), the notice period remains 7 days.
• For many other supports, including therapies funded under Improved Daily Living, the notice period has been shortened to 2 clear business days.

Importance of Clarity: Participants should confirm the cancellation policy that applies with each provider, as set out in their service agreements. The detailed rules around travel and cancellations exist because these are real cost factors the NDIA manages. Clear service agreements help prevent unexpected charges draining plan funds.

NDIS Improved Daily Living Line Item Codes (Category 15)

The NDIS uses specific line item codes for billing. All Improved Daily Living codes start with “15” (Category 15). Here are the most common codes you’ll see on invoices:

Allied Health Therapy Codes

Support and Training Codes

Understanding the Code Structure

Let’s break down 15_617_0128_1_3 (Occupational Therapy):

Tip: When checking invoices, ensure the line item code matches the service delivered. OT services should use OT codes, psychology should use psychology codes, etc.

2026 Therapy Pricing: Maximum Hourly Rates

The NDIS Price Guide sets maximum rates providers can charge. Here are the current 2026 rates for Improved Daily Living therapies:

Allied Health Hourly Rates (July 2025)

Therapy Assistant Rates

Group Therapy Rates (Per Participant)

Note: These are maximum rates. Providers can charge less, and you can negotiate. Unregistered providers (for self-managed participants) aren’t bound by these limits but must offer fair pricing.

How Much Therapy Can You Get With Your Budget?

Here’s a quick reference for how many sessions typical budgets provide:

Use our free NDIS Therapy Hours Calculator to get a personalised estimate based on your specific budget and therapy mix.

Connecting the Dots: Improved Daily Living and Other NDIS Goals/Categories

Improved Daily Living supports do not work in isolation. They are designed to work alongside other NDIS support categories and contribute to a participant’s wider life goals. The skills built through this funding often act as building blocks that allow progress in other areas funded under the NDIS.

How It Works With Other Capacity Building Categories:

Skills built through Improved Daily Living remove barriers in the other eight Capacity Building categories. For example, better communication from speech therapy supports Increased Social & Community Participation (Category 9) and Improved Relationships (Category 11); planning and organisation skills support Finding & Keeping a Job (Category 10) and Improved Learning (Category 13); and budgeting and household skills support Improved Living Arrangements (Category 8). For what each category funds, see our NDIS Capacity Building supports guide and the NDIS Social & Community Participation Guide.

Relationship to Core Supports:

One aim of Capacity Building, including Improved Daily Living, is to increase independence and, over time, reduce the need for Core Supports. For example, if a participant uses Improved Daily Living funding to attend Occupational Therapy and learns good strategies for meal preparation, they may later need less funding in their Core budget for a support worker to help with cooking. In the same way, learning to use public transport independently (IDL) reduces the need for funded transport assistance (Core). This way of reducing reliance on direct assistance shows the value of investing in skill development through Improved Daily Living, which helps both the participant’s independence and the scheme’s long-term sustainability.

Tips for Success with Your Improved Daily Living Funding

To get the most from the Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity) budget, participants and their support networks should plan ahead and stay involved. Success often comes down to active involvement and informed decisions.

Link Supports to NDIS Goals: Effective funding use starts with making sure every chosen support links directly to one or more specific, measurable goals in the participant’s NDIS plan. Before engaging a therapist or trainer, set out exactly how their service will help reach a particular goal (e.g., “Occupational therapy sessions will help me achieve my goal of preparing simple meals independently by teaching me safe knife skills and kitchen organisation strategies”). This clarity helps justify the funding and focus the work.

Choose Qualified and Suitable Providers: Pick therapists and trainers who are qualified and registered (e.g., check AHPRA registration for allied health professionals) and who have relevant experience with the participant’s specific disability and needs. It is reasonable to ask providers about their approach, evidence base, experience with similar participants, and expected outcomes. A good fit matters for a productive therapeutic relationship.

Understand Service Agreements: Before services commence, ensure a clear service agreement is in place. This document should detail the specific supports to be provided, the agreed costs (including hourly rates and any potential travel charges), the provider’s cancellation policy, and how communication and progress will be managed. Understanding these terms upfront helps prevent misunderstandings and manage the budget effectively.

Track Progress: Capacity building is about outcomes. Participants should work with their providers to check progress towards the agreed goals regularly. This information helps you adjust the support if needed, and it shows the value of the funding during NDIS plan reviews and reassessments. Continued funding for these supports in future plans may depend on showing progress and outcomes.

Use Support Coordination (if funded): If the NDIS plan includes funding for Support Coordination (under Improved Life Choices), the Support Coordinator can be a useful resource. They can help participants understand their Improved Daily Living budget, look at different therapy and training options, connect with suitable providers, work through service agreements, and prepare for plan reviews.

Use the Flexibility (Especially in PACE Plans): For participants with newer PACE plans that allow flexibility within the Improved Daily Living category, take the chance to look at the range of eligible supports. Think about which mix of therapies or training best suits your learning style and goals. Don’t feel limited to one type of support if a blend might work better.

Stay Informed with Official NDIS Resources: NDIS rules, pricing, and available supports change over time. Check official NDIS resources like the NDIS website, Our Guidelines, the current Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL), and the Support Catalogue for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Success with Improved Daily Living funding is a shared effort. The participant needs to be involved in setting goals, choosing supports, taking part in the learning, and working with providers to track results. It is an investment in personal growth and independence, and it asks for active participation rather than just receiving services.

Summary: Building Independence, One Skill at a Time

The NDIS Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity) support category is an investment in what participants can do. By funding a range of therapies, assessments, and training programs, it gives targeted resources to build skills, improve functional capacity, increase independence in everyday life, and support fuller community participation. The terminology and rules can seem complicated, but once you understand the purpose of this Capacity Building support, which is different from the daily assistance Core supports provide, you can make the most of it.

This category can make a real difference. It helps people learn new ways of managing daily tasks, communicating, regulating emotions, getting around their communities, and taking more choice and control over their lives. The flexibility, especially within PACE plans, allows for personalised approaches that combine different supports to meet individual needs and goals.

Using Improved Daily Living funding well takes active involvement. Participants, supported by their families, carers, and coordinators, set clear goals, choose suitable providers, understand the terms of service, and track progress. By using the resources in this category with a plan, NDIS participants can make real progress towards their goals, build lasting skills, and work towards a more independent future.

References and Further Reading

For the most current and detailed information regarding NDIS supports, pricing, and guidelines, individuals should consult the official National Disability Insurance Scheme resources:

• NDIS Website: The primary source for information about the scheme, including participant pathways, provider information, and news updates.
• NDIS Our Guidelines: Provides detailed explanations of NDIS operational rules and decision-making processes.
• NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL): Outlines the maximum prices registered providers can charge and the rules governing specific supports. Published annually and updated periodically.
• NDIS Support Catalogue: Lists all specific support item numbers, descriptions, units of measure, and associated rules. Published alongside the PAPL.
• Disability Gateway: A resource for finding information about disability services and supports available across Australia.

How Much Improved Daily Living Funding Can You Get?

Funding amounts vary based on your individual needs and goals. Here are typical ranges:

Typical Funding Ranges

Factors That Affect Your Funding

Connect With Therapists Who Accept Improved Daily Living Funding

Finding qualified allied health professionals who understand NDIS Capacity Building and accept Improved Daily Living funding can be hard. Carevo connects NDIS participants with occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists across Australia.

Browse therapist profiles on Carevo to find:

• NDIS-registered allied health professionals
• Therapists with experience in your disability type
• Local providers or telehealth options
• Clear pricing that matches NDIS rate limits
• Professionals who focus on goal-driven outcomes

Get matched with the right provider or call 1800 953 253 to connect with therapists who can help you make the most of your Improved Daily Living funding.

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Related Guides and Tools

• NDIS Therapy Hours Calculator - Estimate how many OT, physio, psychology, and speech sessions fit your budget
• NDIS Price Guide - Browse all support item codes and current price limits
• NDIS Budget Planner - Plan your Core, Capacity Building, and Capital funding
• NDIS Capacity Building supports guide - Improved Daily Living sits alongside the other 8 CB categories
• Core vs Capacity Building comparison - Which support fits in which budget
• NDIS Core Supports guide - The everyday-funding budget
• Plan management with Carevo - How plan management works and what it costs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CB daily activity in the NDIS?

CB Daily Activity is the NDIS portal’s name for the Improved Daily Living support category (Category 15). The “CB” stands for Capacity Building. This funding pays for therapies, assessments, and training that help you develop skills for greater independence in daily life. You’ll see “CB Daily Activity” when you log into your myplace portal, while your official plan documents refer to the same funding as “Improved Daily Living.” Common supports include occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and life skills training.

What are examples of CB daily activity NDIS supports?

CB Daily Activity (Improved Daily Living) funds a wide range of capacity-building supports, including:

• Occupational Therapy - daily living assessments, sensory strategies, home modifications advice
• Psychology - anxiety management, emotional regulation, coping strategies for disability
• Speech Pathology - communication skills, social cues training, swallowing assessments
• Physiotherapy - mobility improvement, strength training, balance work
• Life skills training - cooking, budgeting, time management, public transport training
• Developmental education - practical skill building for intellectual disabilities
• Exercise physiology - tailored fitness programs for functional improvement

How much CB daily activity funding can I get?

CB Daily Activity funding varies based on your individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Typical annual ranges are: Low complexity ($5,000-$10,000), Moderate complexity ($10,000-$20,000), High complexity ($20,000-$40,000), and Very high complexity ($40,000+). Factors affecting your funding include the severity and complexity of your disability, the number of therapy types you need, your potential for skill development, your location (remote areas may receive more for travel costs), and your age (early intervention for children under 7 often receives higher allocations). Your funding is determined during your NDIS planning meeting based on evidence of your needs.

What’s the difference between Improved Daily Living and CB Daily Activity?

There is no difference. They’re the same funding category, just referred to by different names in various NDIS documents. “Improved Daily Living Skills” typically appears in NDIS plans and the Support Catalogue, while “CB Daily Activity” is often used in the NDIS portal. The “CB” simply stands for “Capacity Building.” This inconsistent terminology has caused confusion, but the NDIS PACE system aims to standardize the language. Regardless of which term you see, this funding supports therapies, training, and assessments designed to build skills and independence.

Can I use Improved Daily Living funding for any therapy I want?

The flexibility depends on your NDIS plan type. With newer PACE plans, you generally have flexibility to use your Improved Daily Living funding for any therapy or training within this category that aligns with your plan goals. For example, you could divide funding between occupational therapy, psychology, and speech therapy based on your needs. However, older (non-PACE) plans might contain “stated supports” where funding is specifically allocated for a particular therapy (e.g., “$5,000 for psychology”) and cannot be redirected to other therapies. In all cases, the therapy must relate to your disability needs and plan goals.

What therapies and supports can be funded under Improved Daily Living?

Improved Daily Living can fund a wide range of therapies and supports including:

• Allied health therapies (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Dietetics)
• Counseling and Social Work
• Specialized assessments
• Life skills training (cooking, budgeting, time management)
• Public transport training
• Driver training (if disability-related)
• Technology skills workshops
• Training for parents/carers to support skill development
• Art or music therapy
• Specialized early childhood intervention (for children under 7) All supports must aim to increase independence and functional capacity related to your disability.

What’s the difference between Improved Daily Living and Assistance with Daily Life?

Though they sound similar, these categories serve different purposes:

• Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building): Funds therapies and training that teach you skills to become more independent (e.g., an occupational therapist teaching you strategies to shower independently)
• Assistance with Daily Life (Core): Funds someone to directly help you with daily tasks (e.g., a support worker physically assisting you with showering) The key difference is building capacity versus providing direct assistance. Improved Daily Living focuses on long-term skill development through professional therapies and training, while Assistance with Daily Life provides immediate practical help through support workers.

How do travel costs and cancellations work with therapists under Improved Daily Living?

For travel costs, therapists can charge for travel time to and from appointments, with limits based on your location: up to 30 minutes each way in major cities and regional areas (MMM zones 1-3) or up to 60 minutes each way in remote areas (MMM zones 4-5). Travel must be billed separately using specific “Provider Travel” codes. For cancellations, as of July 2024, you must provide 2 clear business days’ notice to avoid cancellation fees for therapy appointments (reduced from the previous 7-day requirement). These details should be clearly outlined in your service agreement with each provider.

What happens if I don’t use all my Improved Daily Living funding?

Unlike some Core supports, Improved Daily Living funding doesn’t automatically roll over to the next plan period. If you don’t use it, you may risk having the amount reduced in your next plan if the NDIA sees consistent underspending. To avoid this, consider: reviewing your goals and whether the funded supports still align; discussing barriers to using the funding with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator; requesting alternate therapies that might better suit your needs; or adjusting appointment frequency to ensure you can use the full allocation effectively.

How do I choose the right therapist for Improved Daily Living supports?

When selecting therapists, consider: their qualifications and registration status (e.g., AHPRA registration for allied health professionals); their experience with your specific disability type; their approach and the evidence base for their methods; how well they communicate and listen; practical factors like location, availability, and cancellation policies; and whether they offer in-home, clinic-based, or telehealth services to suit your preferences. Don’t hesitate to request an initial consultation to assess compatibility, and ask your Support Coordinator (if you have one) for recommendations of therapists who have worked successfully with similar participants.