Financial and organisational skills

NDIS Capacity Building support

Support to build skills in managing money, paperwork and routines, such as budgeting, paying bills and keeping appointments organised.

The short answer

This support helps you build skills in managing money, paperwork and routines, such as budgeting, paying bills and keeping appointments organised.

About Financial and organisational skills

Managing money and admin is a skill that many people need help to learn. Financial and organisational support works on the practical tasks: setting a budget, understanding bills, using banking safely, planning for larger costs, sorting mail and paperwork, and keeping track of appointments and deadlines.

The focus is on building your ability to make your own decisions. A support worker or coach might use tools such as budgeting apps, calendars or simple checklists, and work through real bills and statements with you so the learning is directly useful.

This support is different from having someone else manage your money. Where a person needs formal help with financial decisions, there are separate legal arrangements, and advice from a financial counsellor or advocate can be valuable. Ask providers how they protect your independence and privacy.

Who is this service for?

People who want to get better at managing money, paperwork and routines, such as budgeting, paying bills and keeping appointments organised.

What a typical session looks like

Sessions are hands-on and focused on the things you actually deal with, such as paying bills, keeping track of appointments, sorting mail, budgeting or using a phone or app to stay organised. A worker or therapist sits with you, shows you a method, and you practise together until it starts to feel natural.

The approach is to build systems that work for you. That might be a simple weekly planner, a folder for important papers, reminders on your phone or a way of checking your bank balance. Over time you take more of the tasks on yourself, and the worker is there for questions and to help you adjust.

Who delivers this support

This support is provided by support workers, occupational therapists and specialist trainers. Some people also involve a financial counsellor or plan manager for particular questions. A good worker is patient, respects your privacy and teaches you rather than taking over, and it is important to feel comfortable sharing information about your finances.

How to choose a provider

• Ask how the provider builds your skills instead of taking over tasks.
• Find out how they keep your financial information private and secure.
• Check that workers understand scams and can help you stay safe.
• Ask whether they can work with your bank, family or advocate if you wish.
• Find out how progress will be reviewed.

Questions to ask a provider

• How will you help me build a system that suits how I think and work?
• How will you keep my financial information private and secure?
• Will you teach me to do things myself, or do them for me?
• How will we measure whether I am becoming more confident?
• What will you do if I make a mistake or miss a payment?
• How will you work with my plan manager, family or financial counsellor?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Handing over control of your money or documents without clear agreement.
• Trying to build a system that is too complicated to keep up.
• Not keeping important papers in one safe, easy place.
• Hiding financial worries rather than asking for help early.
• Not checking that a worker respects privacy and boundaries.

Getting started

1. List the money and admin tasks you find hardest.
2. Choose one or two to work on first.
3. Agree how often you will meet and what tools you will use.
4. Review after a few weeks and adjust the plan.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Financial and organisational skills connect with independent living, employment, and managing a plan. Building them can help you feel more in control of your life and can reduce the risk of missed payments or forgotten appointments. Working on them alongside daily living skills, and with a plan manager if you have one, gives you a fuller picture of how your money and time are managed.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Financial and organisational skills 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 Financial and organisational skills 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 Financial and organisational skills 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

• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
• 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
• 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
• 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
• 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
• 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW
• 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC

See all 13,003 life skills providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (4,401)
• Victoria (3,825)
• Queensland (2,354)
• South Australia (1,257)
• Western Australia (1,066)
• Northern Territory (297)
• Australian Capital Territory (283)
• Tasmania (212)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (608)
• Melbourne, VIC (477)
• Sydney, NSW (348)
• Central Coast, NSW (282)
• Perth, WA (264)
• Blacktown, NSW (241)
• Adelaide, SA (237)
• Parramatta, NSW (234)
• Liverpool, NSW (213)
• Tarneit, VIC (198)
• Geelong, VIC (185)
• Ipswich, QLD (185)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
• Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
• Huge Care - 188 areas
• Aligned Assist - 184 areas
• Amazing Procare Toowoomba - 171 areas
• Allabilities Cares - 170 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

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.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Group skills development
• Higher education and training support
• Housing search and matching
• Job coaching and workplace assistance

Frequently asked questions

What does financial skills support cover?

Practical help with things like setting a budget, understanding bills, saving and using banking safely, along with organising paperwork and routines so everyday admin feels manageable.

Will someone manage my money for me?

The aim is to build your skills so you can make your own decisions. Some people also need other arrangements, which are separate. Ask providers how they support your independence.

Is this the same as plan management?

No. Plan management is about handling the payments and paperwork for an NDIS plan. Financial skills support helps you build your own money and organisation skills.

Can a support worker access my bank account?

You should stay in control of your accounts. Ask the provider about their policies and never share passwords or PINs unless you fully understand the arrangement.

Where can I get free financial advice?

Financial counselling services offer free and confidential help with debt and money problems. A support coordinator can help you find one.

Can this help me save for something?

Yes. Setting a savings goal and a plan is a common part of budgeting support.

Will the support worker have access to my bank account?

That should only happen if you choose it, and any access should be clearly agreed and limited. The aim is usually to help you manage your own money, not to take control of it.

What if I have debts or money problems?

A financial counsellor can help with debts and bills, and the service is free and confidential in many places. A support worker can help you get in touch.

Can this support help with keeping track of appointments?

Yes. Many people work on calendars, reminders and routines that help them remember and prepare for appointments.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Financial and organisational skills?

If Financial and organisational skills 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 Financial and organisational skills 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

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory