Laying the Foundations for Independence: Why Capacity Building Matters for Your NDIS Plan

When it comes to making the most of your NDIS plan, capacity building is often the secret ingredient that helps you thrive. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter so much? More importantly, how do you know if it’s the right fit for your goals—and how can you apply for it if it's not already in your plan?

In simple terms, capacity building is about giving you the tools, skills, and confidence to live your life on your own terms. Whether it's learning new ways to manage daily tasks, engaging more in your community, or preparing for work, capacity building can truly transform your journey. In this article, we’ll guide you through why it’s so powerful and show you how to determine if capacity building is the right support for you—and how to get it included in your NDIS plan if needed.

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What Exactly is Capacity Building?

Think of capacity building as the foundation for your independence. Just like building a house brick by brick, capacity building supports you in developing skills that help you stand tall and live more confidently. Under the NDIS, capacity-building supports focus on giving you the knowledge and abilities to make choices about how you live, work, and play.

Whether you need help with personal care, social interaction, or learning new skills for work, capacity building is all about making sure you have what you need to live your best life. And the best part? It’s tailored to you—your goals, your needs, and your dreams.

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Why Capacity Building is a Must-Have for Your NDIS Plan

We’ve all heard the saying, “Give a person a fish, and they’ll eat for a day. Teach them to fish, and they’ll eat for a lifetime.” This couldn’t be more true when it comes to capacity building.

When you focus on building capacity, you’re not just getting support for today—you’re setting yourself up for success in the future. Whether it’s through building your social skills, learning how to manage your health, or finding new ways to complete everyday tasks, capacity building gives you the tools to live more independently and reduce your reliance on funded supports over time.

Let’s say you’ve been working with an occupational therapist to improve your mobility and daily living skills. Over time, you may find that you no longer need assistance with certain tasks that once seemed overwhelming. That’s the beauty of capacity building—it helps you grow your independence, little by little, until you’re able to do more on your own.

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Different Types of Capacity Building Supports

Capacity building is like a toolkit, and depending on your needs, different tools will help you along the way. Here are a few types of capacity-building supports you might find in your NDIS plan:

Improved Daily Living

This includes learning how to better manage personal care tasks, cooking, or even budgeting. It could also mean improving your social skills to build better relationships with friends, family, or people in your community.

Health and Wellbeing

This type of support includes therapy services such as exercise, movement and dietetics. For instance, you might work with a
exercise physiologist to increase movement, or with dietitian to build healthy eating habits. These therapies focus on empowering you to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Employment and Education

If getting a job or continuing your education is part of your goals, capacity building can help. Supports under this category help you develop the skills you need to prepare for and find work, or to study more effectively. This could mean learning new communication skills, time management techniques, or even getting assistance with job applications.

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How Capacity Building Changes Lives

Let’s take a look at how capacity-building supports can make a difference. Imagine someone who has been struggling with daily tasks like cooking or managing personal care. By working with an occupational therapist, they can break down these tasks into manageable steps. Over time, they gain the confidence and skills to take on more responsibility at home. Eventually, they’re able to cook meals independently and manage personal hygiene, giving them a newfound sense of freedom.

Or consider a scenario where someone is dealing with anxiety, which makes social situations challenging. With support from a psychologist, they learn techniques to manage their anxiety and gradually feel more comfortable engaging in social events. Over time, they become more active in their community and feel a stronger sense of connection with others.

These examples show how capacity building helps people grow in confidence, unlock their potential, and take control of their lives.

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How to Include Capacity Building in Your NDIS Plan

Not every NDIS plan automatically includes capacity building—it depends on your specific goals and needs. If you feel capacity building would help you, follow these steps to apply to get it added to your plan:

1. Assess Your Needs
   Identify areas where you need support. Is it daily living tasks, improving social skills, or preparing for work? Gather evidence from your health professionals or support coordinator that shows how capacity building would benefit you.
2. Set Clear Goals
   Work with your support team to set goals that align with capacity-building supports, such as gaining independence or finding employment. Be specific in how these supports will help you achieve these outcomes.
3. Prepare for Your NDIS Review or Planning Meeting
   In your meeting, discuss your goals and the evidence that supports the need for capacity building. Explain how these supports will help you become more independent and reduce reliance on future funded support.
4. Work with the Right Providers
   If capacity building is included in your plan, make sure you find the right providers who offer the services you need to achieve your goals.

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Take Control of Your Future

Building capacity is about much more than gaining new skills—it’s about gaining confidence and taking control of your life. With the right support in place, capacity building can help you live more independently, participate in your community, and achieve your personal goals.  

Whether it’s through daily living supports, health and wellbeing services, or employment preparation, capacity building gives you the power to shape your future.

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How CARED Can Help You Build Capacity

At CARED, we understand the importance of building capacity for a healthier and more independent life.  

CARED gives you instant access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech therapy, and psychological therapy, with a range of services designed to improve your physical and mental well-being.

Whether you need help recovering from an injury, managing daily tasks, or building resilience, our easy-to-use platform puts high-quality healthcare at your fingertips.

If you’re ready to simplify your NDIS journey and make your support goals a reality, contact a friendly member of our team today:

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