Core vs Capacity Building: where the money can move

The single most common question at plan time: can I use this money for that? The answer depends almost entirely on which of the three budget types the money sits in. Here's the short version, and how Brolly keeps it straight for you.

The three buckets

Every NDIS plan splits funding into up to three budget types: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital. They look similar in the plan letter, but they behave very differently.

Core
Everyday supports. Mostly flexible — money moves between Core categories.
Capacity Building
Skill-building supports like therapy. Locked to its category.
Capital
Equipment and modifications. Tied to the specific approved item.

Core: the flexible one

Core funding is generally flexible across its categories — Daily Life, Social & Community Participation, Consumables, and Transport. If the plan funds more support work than you end up using, that money can usually shift to, say, community participation instead.

The main exceptions: funding marked as stated supports in the plan, and some transport arrangements paid as periodic amounts. Stated items must be spent exactly as written.

Check the plan letter
Look for the words “stated support” next to a line item. If they're there, that money is locked regardless of which bucket it sits in.

Capacity Building: locked to its category

Capacity Building budgets — Improved Daily Living, Support Coordination, Improved Relationships, and the rest — do not move between categories. Unused speech therapy funding can't become extra support coordination, even within the same bucket.

Within a category, though, you choose the providers and the mix. Improved Daily Living can cover speech, OT, physio, and psychology in whatever proportion works, as long as each support relates to the plan goals.

How Brolly models it

During setup, Brolly asks one question: treat Core as one flexible pool? Turn it on and your Core categories share a single remaining balance, exactly matching how the money can actually be spent. Capacity Building and Capital categories always keep their own walls.

Pace is then tracked per wall — so “under pace” on speech therapy means something real: that specific budget has proportionally more money left than plan time.

Quick answers

This guide is general information, not advice about your plan. Rules change — when in doubt, check with your plan manager, support coordinator, or the NDIA.
Let Brolly keep the walls straight
Flexible pool for Core, locked budgets for the rest — set up in minutes.
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