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NDIS Improved Health and Wellbeing: A Step-by-Step Guide

NDIS Improved Health and Wellbeing

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

What if your NDIS plan wasn’t just about managing daily tasks, but about truly flourishing? For many NDIS participants across Melbourne, Frankston, and the Mornington Peninsula, the dream of a more vibrant, healthier life feels within reach, yet the path to getting there can seem unclear. You might be asking: How can my NDIS funding genuinely support my physical and mental vitality? The answer lies within a powerful, often misunderstood, part of your plan: the “Improved Health and Wellbeing” support category.

This isn’t just another line item; it’s a dedicated pathway designed to empower you with the skills, knowledge, and professional support to build a stronger, more independent you. At The SALT Foundation, we believe in unlocking your full potential. We’ve seen firsthand how targeted supports can transform lives, helping individuals achieve their health aspirations and live with greater confidence and participation. This comprehensive guide explains how Improved Health and Wellbeing funding under the NDIS works. It shows you exactly what the funding covers. It also breaks down how you can tailor it to your unique goals. Most importantly, it highlights why this support is a valuable investment in your future.

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

  • The “Improved Health and Wellbeing” NDIS support category (Category 12) is designed to fund services that build your skills and independence related to your health.
  • It covers vital allied health services like exercise physiology and dietetics, tailored to your disability-specific needs.
  • General gym memberships are typically not covered, as they are considered everyday living costs, but specific, goal-oriented fitness supports can be.
  • This funding helps you pursue personal goals such as increased mobility, better chronic condition management, and enhanced mental wellbeing.
  • The SALT Foundation offers person-centered support to help you understand and effectively utilise this funding. Thus, connecting you with the right professionals to achieve your health and wellbeing aspirations.

What is “Improved Health and Wellbeing” in Your NDIS Plan?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to over 610,000 Australians with a permanent and significant disability. This way, helping them participate in everyday activities and achieve their goals. Among the many support categories, “Improved Health and Wellbeing” (often referred to as Capacity Building – Category 12) stands out. This category is specifically designed to fund supports that enhance your physical and mental health, directly related to the impact of your disability.

While it might sound similar to “Improved Daily Living” (Category 15), which focuses on supports that help you accomplish self-care tasks independently. “Improved Health and Wellbeing” zeroes in on the therapeutic and skill-building aspects of your physical and mental health. It’s about empowering you with the tools and knowledge to live a healthier, more active life. This reduce the impact of your disability on your overall wellbeing.

Beyond the Basics: Services Covered by “Improved Health and Wellbeing”

This NDIS category opens the door to a range of professional services that can make a profound difference in your life.These supports don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, professionals tailor each intervention to meet your unique needs and goals.

Exercise Physiology

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is a university-trained allied health professional who specialises in how the human body responds and adapts to physical activity. They are experts in designing and delivering safe and effective exercise programs for individuals with various health conditions, injuries, or disabilities.

For NDIS participants, an AEP can be a powerful ally. They help improve physical function, mobility, and independence through targeted exercise interventions. This can mean enhancing muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, making daily activities easier and reducing the risk of falls. Exercise physiology also plays a significant role in managing chronic pain by promoting the body’s natural painkillers and designing programs that alleviate discomfort.

Beyond the physical, exercise physiology greatly benefits mental health. Regular physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators, reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It can foster a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence as you see improvements in your abilities. Many NDIS participants experience muscle weakness or bone density issues due to their disabilities, and an AEP can design strength and conditioning programs to address these challenges, reducing the risk of fractures and improving overall health.

Dieteticians

Dietitians are healthcare professionals specialising in nutrition and dietetics. Under the NDIS, they play a crucial role in ensuring you receive the necessary nutritional support to enhance your overall health and wellbeing.

A dietitian begins with a thorough nutritional assessment, reviewing your medical history, current eating habits, and any specific dietary needs or restrictions. Based on this, they develop personalised meal plans that aim to promote health, manage medical conditions (such as diabetes or gastrointestinal disorders), and support development. They can educate you on healthy eating habits, help you understand food labels, and even assist with meal planning and cooking skills to promote independence.

Proper nutrition is fundamental to managing chronic conditions, enhancing energy levels, and reducing the risk of malnutrition. For many NDIS participants, an improved diet can lead to better mood, cognitive function, and an overall enhanced quality of life.

Personal Training

The NDIS may not cover general personal training. However, an NDIS-registered personal trainer can offer tailored support when it directly relates to your disability goals. They can help you improve mobility, build strength, and boost overall fitness. The activities are specific to your needs and can take place at home, in a gym, or outdoors. The key is that the training must target functional limitations or help you build skills related to your disability. This support should clearly align with your NDIS plan goals.

Other Allied Health Therapies

The NDIS can fund services from other allied health professionals under the “Improved Health and Wellbeing” category. They must consider the support reasonable and necessary. The service should also help you work toward a specific health-related goal. This might include:

The Myth Debunked: Your NDIS Plan and Gym Memberships

This is perhaps one of the most common questions we hear, and it deserves a clear answer. Generally, the NDIS does not fund standard gym memberships.

Why not? The NDIS operates on the principle of “reasonable and necessary” support. This means the NDIS funds supports that directly relate to your disability and help you achieve your goals—excluding everyday living costs that most people, with or without a disability, typically pay for themselves. For example, a general gym membership is usually considered a regular living expense and isn’t funded.

However, this doesn’t mean fitness and physical activity are out of reach. While the membership itself might not be covered, the NDIS can fund specific support to help you access fitness activities if they are directly linked to your disability-related goals. For example:

  • Personal Training: If a personal trainer helps you improve mobility, build strength, or manage a condition directly related to your disability, the NDIS may fund their services.
  • Exercise Physiology: The NDIS funds this clinical, goal-oriented service under “Improved Health and Wellbeing” because it directly supports your physical health and functional goals.
  • Support Worker Assistance: If you need a support worker to go with you to the gym, help with equipment, or provide transport, the NDIS may cover these supports, if they’re considered reasonable and necessary for your participation.
  • Specialised Equipment: If a gym offers disability-friendly equipment that you can’t access elsewhere and you need it to meet your specific needs—especially to avoid social isolation—the NDIS might consider funding your membership in specific cases.

Connecting Your Health Goals to Your NDIS Plan: A Strategic Approach

To effectively use your “Improved Health and Wellbeing” funding, it’s essential to clearly articulate your health goals and demonstrate how the requested supports will help you achieve them. 

Here’s how to approach it:

  1. Identify Your Specific Health Goals: Instead of a vague desire to “get healthier,” pinpoint concrete, measurable goals. Do you want to improve your walking distance by 50 metres? Reduce chronic pain to participate in a social activity once a week? Manage your blood sugar levels more effectively through diet?
  2. Link Goals to Disability Impact: Explain how your disability affects your ability to achieve these goals independently. For example, “Due to my cerebral palsy, I have limited mobility, which makes it difficult to engage in physical activity. Exercise physiology will help me build strength and coordination to improve my walking.”
  3. Research Suitable Supports: Understand which allied health professionals or services can best help you achieve your specific goals. This blog post is a great starting point!
  4. Gather Evidence: If you’re seeking funding for a particular service, having reports or recommendations from medical professionals or therapists can strengthen your case. They can outline why a specific intervention is reasonable and necessary for your disability.
  5. Work with Your Support Coordinator: If you have a Support Coordinator, they are invaluable in helping you understand your plan, connect with providers, and articulate your needs to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). They can assist you in preparing for plan reviews and ensuring your funding aligns with your goals.
  6. Self-Management: If you self-manage your NDIS plan, you have greater flexibility in choosing providers and managing your budget. However, you still need to ensure that all expenses align with your approved plan goals and the NDIS “reasonable and necessary” criteria.

Conclusion

Improved Health and Wellbeing support helps NDIS participants achieve better physical and mental health. When you understand what’s covered, connect with the right providers, and align your health goals with broader NDIS outcomes, you can fully maximize this funding stream.

Remember that good health is foundational to independence, community participation, and quality of life. Taking advantage of these supports isn’t just about fitness—it’s about building capacity for all aspects of your life.

Action Steps

  1. Review Your NDIS Plan: Take a close look at your current NDIS plan. Do you have funding allocated under “Capacity Building – Improved Health and Wellbeing” (Category 12)? Understanding your current allocations is the first step.
  2. Identify Your Health and Wellbeing Goals: Clearly define what improved health and wellbeing means for you. Is it increased mobility, better dietary management, reduced pain, or enhanced mental resilience?
  3. Connect with The SALT Foundation: Reach out to our friendly team at The SALT Foundation on 1300 777 258. We can help you understand how your NDIS plan can support your health goals and discuss the types of services available to you.
  4. Explore Allied Health Professionals: Speak with an Exercise Physiologist or Dietitian to discuss how they can tailor their services to meet your specific disability and goals. We can help you find qualified professionals in your local area.
  5. Prepare for Your Next Plan Review: If your current plan doesn’t adequately reflect your health and wellbeing goals, start gathering information and evidence to discuss with your NDIS planner or Support Coordinator during your next review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use “Improved Health and Wellbeing” for general fitness classes or group exercise sessions?

The NDIS generally treats fitness classes or group exercise sessions as everyday living costs and doesn’t directly fund them. However, exceptions exist. If a qualified allied health professional—such as an Exercise Physiologist—specifically designs and delivers a group session to support your disability-related goals, or if you need a support worker to attend with you, the NDIS may fund it.

How do I know if my NDIS plan includes “Improved Health and Wellbeing” funding?

You can find this information in the “Capacity Building” section of your NDIS plan, often listed under “Category 12: Improved Health and Wellbeing.” If you are unsure, you can contact your Support Coordinator or the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) directly for clarification.

Do I need a referral to access these services?

While you don’t always need a formal medical referral to use your NDIS funding for allied health services like exercise physiology or dietetics, it can be highly beneficial. A report or recommendation from your doctor or another therapist can help demonstrate to the NDIA that the requested support is reasonable and necessary for your disability-related goals.

How often can I see an exercise physiologist or dietitian?

Your planning team will determine how often you visit based on what they consider “reasonable and necessary” for your situation. They’ll use recommendations from your health professionals to guide this decision. You may start with more frequent sessions to help you get started, then gradually reduce them as you build your skills and gain independence.

How do I find qualified providers for Improved Health and Wellbeing services?

You can search for registered providers on the NDIS website, ask your support coordinator for recommendations, or contact disability-specific organisations for referrals. At The SALT Foundation, we can connect you with qualified providers across Melbourne who understand disability needs.