Participant Guide to Funding Periods

Does your new NDIS plan have funding periods? Let us help you figure out what this means for you.

What does the NDIS say?

What are Funding Periods?

All new NDIS plans have funding periods, which regulate how much funding can be spent over a set time. Funding periods can apply to:

The entire NDIS plan – money funded for the length of the plan.
Funding Components – previously called Category Budgets (Core, Capacity Building and Capital supports). Each Component / Category will have its own funding period (often more than one).

Length of Funding Periods

The NDIS works out how long each funding period is and how much funding they will release in each period. Your plan shows you those details.

Some will be for one month (like Choice & Control, SIL or SDA).
Most supports are quarterly (like Capacity Building and most Core supports).
Some funds might be released up front (like AT).

What if I don’t use all the funds in a funding period?

Unused funds from one period will ‘roll over’ to the following funding period/s.

When your plan ends, unused funds do not ‘roll over’ to a new plan.

What if I run out of funds in a current funding period?

You cannot ‘borrow’ from future funding periods without NDIS permission. The NDIS will only allow this in certain circumstances, and you have to apply for it.

If you run out of funds in a current funding period:

We can’t pay any more invoices from the exhausted budget.
If we receive an invoice we cannot pay, we let the provider know. They will then get in touch with you to discuss payment.
It is up to you to ask the NDIS for permission to release funding early from the next funding period.

What about invoices for a previous funding period?

If we receive an invoice for a previous funding period that still has funding left, we can claim it.

The NDIS Act says that you are not allowed to use more funds than you’ve been given in any funding period. Sometimes the NDIS has said that this is not the case, however. So right now, there’s a lot of confusion.

At this stage, if you’ve run out of funds in a funding period, we can’t claim any further invoices for it. This is even once funds get released in a new funding period. That’s because we’re following the legislation. If the NDIS advises us that we can exceed the funding period, then we can do that. So far however, we have not been able to get that in writing from them.

If you’ve run out of funds in a prior funding period, and still have more invoices to pay from it, get in touch with the NDIS. If they give you written permission for us to keep claiming invoices, then we can do that.

How do I change my funding periods?

If your funding periods don’t suit your needs, you have to ask the NDIS to change your plan or apply for a review.

Ask your support coordinator to help you or get in touch with your “My NDIS Contact” as listed on your plan. This may be a planner or LAC.
Lodge an online enquiry via the NDIS website or through your NDIS portal.
Ask the NDIS via email, call 1800 800 110 or do a webchat to request your LAC or a planner consider your request.

Some suggestions from us

Plan changes made by the NDIS can take time. Apply early if you know you’re going to need funding brought forward or your circumstances change.
Let your providers know of your funding periods and how much they can spend in each funding period. If you commit to supports the NDIS won’t pay, you are personally liable to pay those invoices.
Ask your support coordinator or LAC to help you budget your supports. You could also use the NDIS Budget Calculator or Support Organiser.
Budget your funds by ‘keeping aside’ funding for when you need more of it. For example, if you need support workers on public holidays.
Check your monthly statement, our Entiprius app, or your MyNDIS portal or app, to keep an eye on your funding.
Discuss your needs with the planner during your plan review meeting. Especially if you have fluctuating support needs.