Daily living and life skills development

NDIS Capacity Building support

Coaching and practice to build everyday skills, such as cooking, budgeting, using public transport or managing a household, so the person can do more for themselves.

The short answer

This support builds everyday skills such as cooking, budgeting, using public transport and managing a household, so you can do more for yourself.

About Daily living and life skills development

Life skills support is about learning. Rather than doing tasks for you, a support worker, therapist or coach helps you learn how to do them yourself, at a pace that suits you. Common goals include cooking simple meals, keeping a home clean, managing money, using buses and trains, and keeping appointments.

Good programs start with what you want to achieve. Together you break a goal into steps, practise in real situations and review progress. Repetition and encouragement matter, and so does starting with skills that matter to you, because motivation makes learning easier.

Some people use this support in the lead-up to a big change, such as moving out or starting work. Others use it to build confidence after an illness or injury. Whatever the reason, the aim is greater independence and choice.

Who is this service for?

People who would like to build everyday skills, such as cooking, budgeting, using public transport or managing a household, and do more for themselves.

What a typical session looks like

A session is usually practical and takes place where the skill is used, such as in your own kitchen, at the shops or on public transport. A support worker or therapist and you agree on a goal, for example cooking a simple meal, budgeting or managing your morning routine. They break it into steps, show you or do it together, and gradually step back as you gain confidence.

Progress is reviewed regularly. You might keep a simple record of what has been achieved, celebrate small wins and adjust the goal if it turns out to be too hard or too easy. The aim is not for the worker to do things for you but for you to do them yourself, or to direct how they are done.

Who delivers this support

Life skills support is provided by support workers, occupational therapists and specialist trainers. An occupational therapist can assess what gets in the way and design a plan, while a support worker can carry it out day to day. Choose someone who is patient, works at your pace and treats you as an adult who is learning, not a child who is being taught.

How to choose a provider

Questions to ask a provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Getting started

  1. Choose two or three skills you would like to learn first.
  2. Talk to providers and describe your goals.
  3. Agree a simple plan with steps and a review date.
  4. Practise between sessions, and celebrate progress.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Daily living skills connect with almost everything else in a plan, including housing, transport, community access and employment. Building these skills often reduces how much support you need in the long run, and it can open doors to more independent living. Because goals change, it is worth revisiting the plan whenever you feel ready for something new.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Daily living and life skills development if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Daily living and life skills development is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Daily living and life skills development that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Life skills providers on the NDIS register

13,003 NDIS providers list life skills supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing life skills

See all 13,003 life skills providers

Listings by state and territory

Suburbs with the most listings

Listings covering the most areas

Checking credentials

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Related services

Frequently asked questions

What skills can this support help with?

Common examples include cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, using public transport and managing appointments. The focus is on building your own skills rather than doing things for you.

How long does skill-building take?

It depends on the skill and the person. Good providers set clear goals with you and review progress regularly so the support changes as you gain confidence.

Who can provide daily living skills support?

Support workers, therapists and specialist skills coaches can all provide it. Ask providers how they set goals and measure progress.

Is this only for young people?

No. People of all ages learn new skills, whether preparing for independent living or adjusting after a change in their health.

What if I learn slowly?

That is fine. Good support works at your pace, breaks tasks into small steps and repeats them as often as needed.

Can family help me practise?

Yes. Ask your provider how to involve family so the same approach is used at home.

What kinds of skills can I work on?

Common examples are cooking, cleaning, managing money, using public transport, shopping, personal care routines and organising your time. The list is driven by what matters to you.

Do I need an occupational therapist for life skills support?

Not always, but a therapist can help when you are unsure what is getting in the way or when the skills are complex. Many people work with a support worker guided by a therapist.

How long will I need this support?

It depends on your goals and how quickly you learn. The idea is to build independence, so support usually reduces over time as you gain skills.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Daily living and life skills development?

If Daily living and life skills development is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Daily living and life skills development provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

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