NDIS Improved Daily Living Skills: The Complete Guide to Category 15
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, but understanding your funding categories is the key to genuine independence. Improved Daily Living Skills (Category 15) is one of the most transformative funding streams, funding the therapy, training, and clinical assessments needed to build long-term functional autonomy.
What Is Improved Daily Living in the NDIS?
Improved Daily Living sits within your Capacity Building budget under the category name CB Daily Activities (Category 15). Unlike Core Supports, which fund a support worker to complete daily tasks for you, Capacity Building funding is designed to teach you how to perform tasks independently or develop adaptive strategies to manage them safely.
Core Supports vs Capacity Building: Quick Comparison
| Support Category | NDIS Budget Type | What It Covers | Example Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance with Daily Life | Core Supports | Direct hands-on assistance where someone does the task for you. | A support worker comes to your home to prepare lunch or clean your kitchen. |
| Improved Daily Living Skills | Capacity Building (Cat 15) | Therapy, training, and assessments to build self-reliance. | An Occupational Therapist teaches you adaptive meal preparation techniques. |
What Can You Claim Under Category 15 (CB Daily Activities)?
Your Improved Daily Living budget covers qualified allied health practitioners and clinical specialists who assess your needs, build therapy programs, and recommend assistive technology:
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs), home modifications, sensory profile evaluations, and adaptive equipment training.
- Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology: Targeted strength building, balance improvement, gait training, and personalized exercise regimes to maximize mobility.
- Speech Pathology: Communication system development (AAC devices), speech articulation, and safe swallowing management (dysphagia assessments).
- Psychology & Behaviour Support: Cognitive strategies, emotional regulation support, anxiety management, and positive behavior support plans.
- Community Nursing Care: Complex clinical care training, bowel/catheter management, wound care, and medication administration protocols delivered by Registered Nurses.
- Developmental Education & Life Skills Coaching: Practical training in budgeting, public transport travel training, personal scheduling, and routine management.
How to Maximize Your Improved Daily Living Budget
- Request a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA): A comprehensive FCA from an Occupational Therapist provides the clinical justification the NDIA requires during plan reviews.
- Prioritize Capacity Over Maintenance: Ensure your therapy reports clearly state how regular sessions reduce long-term reliance on one-on-one Core support workers.
- Align Therapy with Personal Goals: Ensure every allied health session directly links to your approved NDIS plan goals (e.g., "living independently", "navigating the community").
- Track Budget Utilization: Regularly review line-item expenditure with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager to avoid running out of therapy hours before your plan review.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use my Improved Daily Living budget to pay a regular support worker?
No. Improved Daily Living is strictly a Capacity Building category dedicated to qualified allied health professionals, therapists, and structured clinical training. Routine, daily assistance tasks are funded under Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life).
What assessments are funded under CB Daily Activities?
Category 15 funds Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs), SIL/SDA housing assessments, assistive technology (AT) assessments, sensory assessments, speech and language reports, and clinical community nursing care plans.
How do I request more Improved Daily Living funding in my NDIS plan?
To increase funding, submit an updated progress report or FCA from your allied health therapist prior to your plan reassessment. The report must demonstrate that continued therapy is reasonable and necessary to achieve your stated goals.
Can I access Improved Daily Living supports across Adelaide?
Yes. Alliance Care Support provides allied health, community nursing, and capacity-building therapies across Greater Adelaide, including Parafield Gardens, Salisbury, and northern suburbs.
Build Your Skills & Independence with Alliance Care Support
Need an experienced allied health team or clinical nurse to help you achieve your personal goals in Adelaide? Alliance Care Support provides customized therapy, community nursing, and life skills programs tailored to your NDIS plan.
Call Us: 1300 039 894
Email: [email protected]
Office: 12A Oldfield St, Parafield Gardens SA 5107