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NDIS Improved Daily Living Skills

Get clarity on National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Improved Daily Living Skills supports, which help people build everyday skills, independence and confidence over time.

This page covers:

  • What Improved Daily Living Skills supports involve and how they work in real life
  • How these supports can help with practical, day-to-day independence and participation
  • How to find suitable providers based on your goals, plan and circumstances

If your NDIS plan includes funding for Improved Daily Living Skills, Care Decisions can help. We’ll compile and send a personalised shortlist of suitable providers, matched to what matters most to you.

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What are Improved Daily Living Skills Under the NDIS?

Improved Daily Living Skills are Capacity Building supports under the NDIS. Instead of having tasks done for you on an ongoing basis, these supports focus on helping you build, maintain or improve skills so you can do more independently over time.

In practical terms, this usually means working with a qualified professional to develop skills that make everyday activities easier. Your funding can be used for assessments, training or therapy from professionals such as:

  • Occupational Therapists (OT)
  • Psychologists
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Exercise Physiologists
  • Dietitians
  • Podiatrists

While this funding generally can’t be moved into other budgets (like Core Supports), it’s usually flexible within the Improved Daily Living category. For example, if you have funds remaining for Psychology, you can often use them for Occupational Therapy without needing a plan review, unless your plan explicitly lists a support as “stated.”

In the myplace portal and payment requests, this category is labelled CB Daily Activity (Category 15).

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Who This Support May Be Helpful For

Improved Daily Living Skills are for people who want to build everyday skills so they can rely less on ongoing assistance.

This support may suit you if you:

  • Want to feel more confident managing daily routines (such as cooking, budgeting).
  • Are learning skills to live more independently.
  • Need strategies to make everyday tasks more manageable.
  • Want to improve communication, social interaction or problem-solving skills.
  • Are working towards goals related to independence or participation.
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What Improved Daily Living Skills Can Help with Day-to-Day

This support is all about building practical, real-world skills. Depending on your goals, it can help with:

  • Independence: Learning to cook meals, manage money, or use public transport (often called “travel training”).
  • Safety: Developing strategies that support safer routines at home or out in the community.
  • Future Planning: You can use this funding to pay for a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). These detailed reports, usually completed by an OT, outline your support needs and are often essential evidence for accessing Supported Independent Living (SIL) or increased funding in your next plan.

Training for Your Support Network: Funding can also be used to train parents, carers, or support workers. For example, a psychologist helping a parent understand complex behaviours or a nurse training a worker in medication support.

How Improved Daily Living Skills Are Funded Through The NDIS

Improved Daily Living Skills is funded under the Capacity Building budget in your NDIS plan.

 

Capacity Building supports are stated, which means this funding must be used for the purpose outlined in your plan and can’t be moved to other support categories (such as Core Supports). That said, there is usually some flexibility within the Improved Daily Living Skills category itself, unless a specific support is listed as stated in your plan.

 

Not every NDIS plan includes Improved Daily Living Skills funding. Plans are individual and based on your goals, needs, and circumstances at the time of your plan review.

 

If you’re unsure whether this support is included in your plan, it’s a good idea to check your plan or seek guidance before booking services. This can help avoid confusion and ensure the supports you use are funded correctly.

 

Stretching Your Budget with Therapy Assistants

To make your funding go further, you can often work with a Therapy Assistant. Therapy Assistants work under the supervision of a qualified therapist but charge a significantly lower hourly rate.

 

A common approach is to see your therapist monthly to set goals and review progress, then work with a Therapy Assistant weekly to practise those skills in everyday situations.

 

Reports and Evidence

It’s important to budget for reporting. NDIS plan reviews require evidence that your therapy is effective and clearly linked to your goals.

 

As a general guide, you should set aside funding for around 2–4 hours of reporting time per therapist so they can write a clear end-of-plan report that supports your funding for the next plan.

How Care Decisions Helps You Find the Improved Daily Living Skills Providers

Care Decisions is not a directory. We’re a free, provider-neutral service that helps people find disability support providers matched to their goals, plan and location.

You’ll speak with a dedicated NDIS specialist who takes the time to understand what you want to work on. We then prepare a personalised shortlist of providers who are available and suited to your needs.

You stay in control of the decision, with clear options and no pressure to choose a particular provider.

How It Works

Finding the right NDIS provider shouldn’t be overwhelming. We make it easier by connecting you with dependable, available support services that meet your needs. Our FREE service takes the hassle out of the search. Here’s how it works.
Step 1

Let’s Get Started

Share your support needs, goals, location, and preferences with your dedicated NDIS matching specialist. We’ll help you find the right providers to suit your unique situation.
Step 2

Get a Tailored Provider Options Report

Our team of trained local NDIS support specialists create a personalised report, showing only NDIS providers who are available and matched to your specific requirements, location, and the type of support you’re looking for.
Step 3

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan

Once we have sent a list of options, providers will then be in touch. We’ll also help you understand how the NDIS works, how to get the most value from your allocated budget, and how to maximise the care and support available to you. We can also assist you in comparing provider pricing and service options.

Common Questions About Improved Daily Living Skills Support

Is Improved Daily Living Skills the same as Assistance with Daily Life?

No. Improved Daily Living Skills focuses on building skills and strategies so you can become more independent over time. Assistance with Daily Life (Core Supports) provides help with day-to-day tasks.

It can be assessment, training, or therapy provided by qualified professionals (like OTs or Psychologists), as long as the funding is in your plan and linked to your goals.

Do I need to save funding for reports?

Check your plan or portal for “CB Daily Activity” or “Improved Daily Living.” If you are unsure, speak with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager.

No, but unused funds do not roll over to your next plan. If you have leftover funds, consider using them for additional assessments or reports that could help justify your needs for your next plan review.

Yes. Many people use this support alongside Core Supports. For example, a Core support worker might take you to the shops, while your Improved Daily Living therapist teaches you how to budget for the groceries you buy.