Understanding funding
Flexible and Stated Supports
Your plan explains whether funding can be used flexibly, or must be used for a specific support.
Flexible funding gives options
You may choose how to use funding across approved categories within the same budget.
Stated funding is specific
It must be used for the support and category described in your plan.
Your plan is the starting point
Always check the wording in your own plan before spending.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
What is flexible funding?
Flexible funding lets you choose how to use the available amount across flexible categories within the same support budget — which supports to purchase, how many, how to divide funding across eligible categories, and which suitable providers to use.
Flexibility does not mean no limits. You must still follow your plan and the NDIS funding rules.
What flexible funding cannot do
- Move money into a different support budget
- Spend more than the available funding
- Purchase something that is not an NDIS support
- Use funding for something unrelated to your disability
- Ignore a stated condition in your plan
- Access funding that has not yet become available within a funding period
What is stated funding?
Stated funding must be used for the support described in your plan. Your plan may identify a particular type of support, a category, a specific purpose or outcome, a required provider type, or a requirement to provide quotes or reports.
You may still choose the provider and how much of the stated support you purchase, provided you stay within the approved purpose and budget.
How to tell which you have
Your plan should say whether a category is flexible or stated. Do not rely on the name of the category alone — read the details and conditions recorded in your plan.
Two examples
Flexible: a participant has flexible Core funding across Assistance with Daily Life and Social and Community Participation. They can adjust how the available amount is divided between eligible supports in those categories. They cannot move it into Capital Supports.
Stated: a participant has stated Capacity Building funding for a particular therapy. It must be used for that support. It cannot be transferred to a different Capacity Building category or used for something unrelated.
When you are unsure
- Read your plan
- Check the support budget and category
- Look for flexible or stated wording
- Confirm sufficient funding is currently available
- Ask your my NDIS contact, Plan Manager or Support Coordinator
- Keep a record of any advice you receive
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
SCL can explain:
- Which budget or category our service would usually be claimed from
- The service item or category shown on our invoice
- Our price and service arrangements
- Your current SCL support schedule
SCL cannot provide a binding interpretation of your plan, or move funding between categories.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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