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NDIS Relationships Supports Explained – Everything You Need to Know

Get a clear understanding of Relationship Supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Funded within the Capacity Building – Improved Relationships category, this support helps you develop positive behaviours and build practical social skills for safer, more confident interactions.

This page covers:

  • What Relationship Supports include, including Positive Behaviour Support and social skills development
  • Who this funding is designed for and when it may be included in your plan
  • How Relationship Supports are funded, including what they can and cannot cover

If your NDIS plan includes Improved Relationships funding, Care Decisions can help. We’ll compile and send a personalised shortlist of suitable providers, matched to your goals, support needs and preferred approach to building safer, more positive connections.

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What are Relationship Supports Under the NDIS?

Relationships supports help you develop positive behaviours and build social skills to connect more effectively with others. They focus on two main areas: managing behaviours of concern and improving everyday social interactions.

In real life, this support is about learning and practising skills that make relationships feel safer, easier and more positive. It is not about ongoing assistance (like a support worker accompanying you) or clinical therapy for mental health treatment. Instead, it builds capacity for independence in social situations.

Relationships supports can fund:

  • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Specialist intervention for behaviours of concern, including assessments, behaviour support plans and training for you and your support network
  • Social skills development: Learning communication, boundaries, conflict resolution, and how to participate in community activities

The goal is to help you feel more confident navigating friendships, family relationships, or community interactions.

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Who Benefits from Relationship Supports?

Relationships supports are for people who want to develop positive behaviours and feel more confident interacting with others. This includes both social skills development and managing behaviours of concern.

This support may be a good fit if you:

  • Experience behaviours of concern that put yourself or others at risk (like self-harm, aggression, or elopement)
  • Find social situations confusing or overwhelming and want strategies to participate more comfortably
  • Need help with communication, understanding social cues, or setting boundaries
  • Want to build confidence for community participation, friendships, or family relationships
  • Have difficulty regulating emotions or managing conflict in everyday settings
  • Are working toward greater independence through better social and behavioural skills

This category is needs-based, not diagnosis-specific. It helps people with intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health conditions or acquired brain injuries who want safer, more positive interactions.

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What Improved Relationships Supports Can Help With Day-to-Day

Relationships supports are about practical changes that make interactions feel safer and more positive. When working well, people often notice they can participate more comfortably in daily life.

Depending on your goals, this support can help with:

  • Managing behaviours of concern: Understanding triggers, developing proactive strategies, and building skills to replace challenging behaviours
  • Social confidence: Feeling more comfortable starting conversations, joining groups, or handling social situations
  • Communication: Learning to express needs clearly, read social cues, and listen actively
  • Boundaries and respect: Understanding personal space, consent, and how to resolve conflicts respectfully
  • Community participation: Building skills for group activities, volunteering, or making meaningful connections

Over time, these skills support greater independence, safer environments, and stronger relationships with family, friends, and the community.

How Relationships Supports are Funded Through the NDIS

Relationships supports are funded under the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan, specifically the CB Relationships (or Improved Relationships) category.

This funding is usually “stated”, meaning it must be used for relationship-building or behaviour support and cannot be moved to other categories. It covers both social skills development and specialist Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for behaviours of concern.

Not every NDIS plan includes this funding. It is typically approved for people with specific goals around social participation, communication, or managing behaviours that impact safety or relationships.

What it can cover:

  • Social skills training and group programs
  • Positive Behaviour Support assessments and plans
  • Training for family or support workers

What it cannot cover:

  • Ongoing assistance to attend social events (that’s usually Core Supports)
  • Clinical mental health therapy (that’s usually Improved Daily Living)​

If you are unsure whether this support is in your plan, check your plan document or portal for “CB Relationships”. A Support Coordinator or Plan Manager can also help clarify.

How Care Decisions Helps You Find the Right Relationships Supports Providers

Care Decisions is not a directory. We are a free, independent service that helps people find disability support providers matched to their needs, NDIS plan and location.

We take the time to understand what you want to work on, the type of environment that suits you best, and what kind of support feels right. We then prepare a personalised shortlist of providers who are available and aligned with your goals.

There is no cost to you, and no pressure to choose a particular provider. You stay in control of the decision.

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 Relationships Supports Support

What is the difference between Improved Relationships and Improved Daily Living?

Improved Relationships (CB Relationships) specifically funds behaviour support and social skills to help you interact with others. Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity) funds broader therapies (like OT, Speech, Psychology) to build skills for independence in daily tasks.

No. A support worker who takes you to an event is funded under your Core Supports (Assistance with Community Participation). Improved Relationships funds the training or therapy to help you build the skills to participate confidently, such as learning how to join a conversation or manage social anxiety.

Is this the category for Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

It depends on the goal. If the session is specifically about building social skills or managing behaviours of concern, it may be claimed here. However, general psychological therapy for mental health is usually funded under Improved Daily Living.

Usually, yes. Funds in this category are often “stated” (or fixed), meaning they are allocated for a specific purpose—like a Behaviour Support Plan—and cannot be used for other things. Check your plan to see if your funding is flexible or stated.

Yes. A key part of Improved Relationships (especially for Behaviour Support) is training the people around you—like family, carers, or teachers—so they can support you consistently and positively.