# What are NDIS capacity building supports for autistic children?

> What capacity building means, what it can fund for autistic children, and how to use it well.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/ndis-capacity-building-autism
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** Capacity building supports help your child build skills and independence over time, rather than paying for day-to-day help. For autistic children, this often means therapy such as speech pathology, occupational therapy or psychology, plus parent training and support coordination. What can be funded must be an NDIS support, related to your child's disability and in line with their plan.

**Key takeaways**
- Capacity building is about **building skills and independence**.
- For autistic children it often funds **therapy** and **parent training**.
- Everything must be an **NDIS support**, **related to the disability** and **in the plan**.
- Link each support to a **plan goal**.

## What are capacity building supports?

NDIS plans are usually organised into budgets. **Capacity building** supports help your child build skills and independence over time, unlike core supports, which help with day-to-day activities.[2]

Whatever the budget, the NDIS can only fund items that are NDIS supports, related to your child's disability and in line with their plan.[1]

## What can capacity building fund for autistic children?

Common examples include:

- **Therapy**: speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology
- **Improved daily living**: building skills for dressing, eating, toileting and routines
- **Parent and carer training** related to your child's needs
- **Support coordination** to help you use the plan

Prices and rules for providers are set out in the NDIS pricing arrangements.[2]

## How do I use capacity building well?

**Try:**
- Linking every support to a plan goal
- Asking therapists to coach you, not just your child
- Tracking progress so reviews have evidence
- Using the same visual supports at home and in therapy

**Skip:**
- Spending funds on items that aren't NDIS supports
- Using up funding early in the plan
- Therapy with no home carryover

**Ask for home strategies.** The best value often comes when therapists show you strategies to use every day. Ask for one idea per session that you
  can practise at home.

**How your plan is managed.** Plans can be NDIA-managed, plan-managed or self-managed, and this affects which providers you can use.
  [3]

**Ask for help if....** you're unsure whether something can be funded. Your plan manager, support coordinator or my NDIS contact can check.

Free printable: [Free printable: starter pack](https://theautismkit.com/printables/starter-pack.pdf)

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] List your child's plan goals
- [ ] Match each therapy to a goal
- [ ] Ask one therapist for a home strategy

Read next: [Can the NDIS pay for apps like visual schedules?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/ndis-apps-assistive-technology)

## Common questions

### What's the difference between core and capacity building?

Core supports help with everyday activities now. Capacity building supports help your child build skills and independence for the longer term, such as through therapy.

### Can capacity building pay for parent training?

Training that helps you support your child's disability-related needs is often part of capacity building. Check it's in line with your child's plan and goals.

### Can I move funding between categories?

Rules differ by budget. Some funding is flexible; some is set for a specific purpose. Ask your plan manager or my NDIS contact before moving funds.

## Sources

1. NDIS: What are NDIS supports. https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis
2. NDIS: Pricing arrangements. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements
3. NDIS: Guide to your management options. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/ways-manage-your-funding

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.