Higher education and training support

NDIS Capacity Building support

Support to take part in study at university, TAFE or another training provider, such as help with organisation, access needs and study routines.

The short answer

This support helps people studying at university, TAFE or with another training provider, including help with organisation, access needs and study routines.

About Higher education and training support

Studying with a disability often involves extra planning. Support might include help with time management, breaking assignments into steps, using assistive technology, getting to campus and building routines that make it easier to keep up. It works alongside the adjustments that your education provider can arrange.

Universities and TAFEs have disability services that arrange things such as extra time in exams, note-taking, accessible materials and assistive technology. Registering early gives them time to put these in place. Personal support from a provider covers what the institution does not, such as help at home or with getting to and from classes.

It can be worth thinking about the whole picture: the course, the timetable, travel, living arrangements and finances. A support coordinator or education adviser can help you map it out, and starting early leaves room to fix problems before the semester begins.

Who is this service for?

People studying at university, TAFE or with another training provider who need support with organisation, access or study routines.

What a typical session looks like

Support in higher education might include help with enrolling, choosing a course, organising assistive technology, arranging adjustments with the disability service, and finding your way around campus. During term, a support worker or mentor may help with getting to class, taking notes, organising study and managing deadlines.

The support changes as you move through your course. In the early stage it may focus on getting set up and understanding the systems, and later on assignments, exams and placements. Regular check-ins help catch problems early and keep you connected to the teaching staff and disability service.

Who delivers this support

Support is provided by workers, mentors and tutors, often working alongside the university or training provider's disability service. Occupational therapists and specialist tutors can help with assessment and strategies. Ask whether the person has experience supporting students with your kind of needs, and how they work with the education provider.

How to choose a provider

Questions to ask a provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Getting started

  1. Contact your education provider's disability service early.
  2. List the supports you think you will need at home, on campus and online.
  3. Speak to your planner or support coordinator about study supports.
  4. Review how things are going after the first few weeks.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Study support fits with the adjustments the education provider makes, such as extra time, accessible materials and note-taking. It also connects with transport, assistive technology, housing and employment planning. Thinking early about what you will do after study helps you choose courses, placements and supports that lead somewhere you want to go.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Higher education and training support 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 Higher education and training support 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 Higher education and training support 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.

Employment & education support providers on the NDIS register

5,959 NDIS providers list employment & education support supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing employment & education support

See all 5,959 employment & education support providers

Listings by state and territory

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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 support can help me study?

Support may include help planning your week, staying organised, using assistive technology and building study skills, alongside adjustments arranged with your education provider.

Does my university or TAFE also provide support?

Education providers have their own disability services and can arrange adjustments such as extra time or accessible materials. These work alongside, not instead of, other supports.

When should I start arranging support?

As early as you can. Speak to your education provider's disability service and any support providers well before the term starts.

Who arranges adjustments such as extra exam time?

Your education provider does. Register with their disability service and provide documentation about your needs.

Can I get support for online study?

Yes. Support can help you set up study routines, use assistive technology and stay in touch with your teachers.

What if I need to change my course?

Talk to your education provider and your support team. Changes can be made, and plans adjusted to match.

What adjustments can a university make?

Common adjustments include extra time, accessible materials, note-taking support, flexible attendance and alternative assessment formats. The disability service can explain what is available and what evidence they need.

Can support workers attend classes with me?

Often yes, but you should tell the education provider so arrangements can be made. Talk to the disability service about how it works.

Is study support available for vocational courses as well as university?

Yes. TAFE and other training providers have similar disability services, and you can arrange support in much the same way.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Higher education and training support?

If Higher education and training support 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 Higher education and training support 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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