Many NDIS participants in NSW aren’t accessing their full range of available NDIS services simply because they don’t know these services exist. At Centre of Hope, we’re committed to helping you unlock the hidden potential in your NDIS plan across NSW.
The Untapped Potential in Your NDIS Plan
The range of NDIS services in NSW is extensive, yet many participants aren’t aware of what’s available to them.
Plans are built around your goals, so it helps to know the full range of what the NDIS can fund. The NDIA publishes two lists that explain what are and aren’t NDIS supports.
At Centre of Hope, we help participants make the most of their NDIS plans. Let’s explore some of the lesser-known supports the NDIS can fund, where they relate to your disability and meet NDIS rules.
1. Home Modifications Beyond the Basics
What most people know: The NDIS can fund ramps, grab rails, and bathroom modifications.
What you might not know: NDIS supports for the home go further than ramps and rails, including:
- Assistive products that help with household tasks
- Assistive products for personal care and safety
- Home modifications that help you live more independently
These supports are funded only where they relate to your disability. Standard home repairs, home improvements and household items are not NDIS supports.
2. Vehicle Modifications and Transport Options
What most people know: Some participants receive recurring transport funding.
What you might not know: The NDIS can fund:
- Vehicle modifications, such as hand controls, wheelchair loading systems and specialised seating
- Specialised driver training
- Help to travel to social and recreation activities when you can’t use public transport and it’s not reasonable for family or friends to help
For many participants, these supports can mean the difference between isolation and active community participation. Vehicle modifications are funded from your capital supports budget. Buying a vehicle is not an NDIS support.
3. Recreation and Social Supports
What most people know: The NDIS can fund support workers to assist with community access.
What you might not know: Your plan can cover:
- Modified sporting and recreation equipment, and assessments to prescribe it
- Support to build your skills to take part in social and recreation activities
- A support worker to help you take part in activities
Club memberships, entry fees and general activity costs are not NDIS supports, so you pay for them yourself. The NDIA explains this in its social and recreation support guideline.
4. Assistive Technology Beyond the Obvious
What most people know: The NDIS funds wheelchairs, communication devices, and hearing aids.
What you might not know: Assistive technology covers more than you might think:
- Communication and information equipment
- Customised prosthetics and orthotics
- Assessments to find the right equipment for your needs
Your plan funds assistive technology that relates to your disability. Standard items such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches are not NDIS supports.
5. Capacity Building Through Coaching
What most people know: The NDIS funds therapies like physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
What you might not know: Your plan can include:
- Support to build daily living and life skills
- Support to build your confidence to manage your funding and supports
- Support to find and keep a job, such as employment coaching
- Specialised driver training
These supports focus on building your capabilities rather than providing ongoing care. Your capacity building budget can have funding in up to 9 support categories. Life coaches, wellness coaches and career coaches are not NDIS supports.
6. Support Coordination That Actually Works
What most people know: Support coordination helps connect you with services.
What you might not know: Level 3 specialist support coordination is for participants with complex needs or high-level risks. Support coordinators can:
- Help you navigate complex situations, including with psychosocial disability
- Coordinate with multiple health services for participants with complex needs
- Help resolve conflicts with service providers
- Help you prepare for a check-in or plan reassessment when your needs change
If your situation is complex, you can ask the NDIA about Level 3 specialist support coordination. Learn more about the levels of support coordination.
7. Home and Living Supports
What most people know: The NDIS can fund personal care assistance.
What you might not know: Your plan might include:
- Assistance with household tasks that build independence
- Help to build cooking and meal preparation skills
- Support in a shared living arrangement, such as supported independent living
- Medium term accommodation when your long-term home or supports aren’t ready yet
- Assistance with tenancy obligations
These supports can change your living situation and increase your independence at home. Our support coordinators can help you explore these options.
How to Access These Hidden Gems
- Review your plan goals: Ensure they reflect your true aspirations, not just basic needs
- Speak with your support coordinator or my NDIS contact: Ask specifically about these lesser-known supports
- Look for experienced providers: choose providers who know the supports you need
- Join peer support groups: Other participants often share valuable insights about available services
- Ask for a check-in or plan reassessment: if your needs have changed significantly
For help with any of these steps, Centre of Hope can guide you through the process.
Making the Most of Your NDIS Services in NSW
NDIS partners, such as local area coordinators, can help you find community and mainstream supports outside the NDIS. The NSW Government also has information about support for people with disability.
Remember, the NDIS is designed to provide reasonable and necessary supports to help you achieve your goals and increase your independence. Don’t miss out on valuable services simply because you didn’t know to ask for them.
Are you making the most of your NDIS plan? Contact us to talk it through. For new participants, our referral process is straightforward, or you can book an appointment with our team.
Visit our blog for more on making the most of your NDIS plan.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not replace personal advice. It is current as at 25 September 2026 and reflects the NDIA’s lists of supports that are and are not NDIS supports, its social and recreation support guideline (7 April 2025), and its pages on capacity building and capital supports. Whether a support is funded depends on your disability, your goals and NDIS rules, and plans vary. Confirm the latest at ndis.gov.au.
