How to Use Your NDIS Plan for Mental & Physical Wellbeing Supports

NDIS wellbeing supports can help you look after both your mental and physical health — but only if you know which part of your plan funds them and how to ask for them. This guide explains, in plain English, what wellbeing supports the NDIS can fund, real examples of mental and physical wellbeing supports, what usually isn’t covered, and exactly how to request NDIS wellbeing supports at your next plan review.

What NDIS wellbeing supports actually means

Under the NDIS, “wellbeing” covers the supports that help you build capacity, stay well and take part in everyday life — both mentally and physically. The key rule is that the support must be related to your disability and meet the NDIS “reasonable and necessary” test. The NDIS doesn’t replace the mainstream health system; instead, it funds the disability-related supports that help you manage your day-to-day wellbeing and work towards your goals.

In practice, NDIS wellbeing supports fall into two buckets: mental wellbeing (for example, psychology, psychosocial recovery and support to stay socially connected) and physical wellbeing (for example, exercise physiology, physiotherapy and building healthy daily routines). Both are usually funded through your plan’s Capacity Building and Core budgets.

Which part of your NDIS plan funds wellbeing supports

Your NDIS plan is split into budget categories, and NDIS wellbeing supports are usually funded from a few specific ones. The table below shows where mental and physical wellbeing supports typically sit.

Improved Health & Wellbeing (physical wellbeing)

This budget is designed to help you manage the impact of your disability on your physical health. It can fund an exercise physiologist, dietitian or personal training where it’s tied to your disability-related goals and recommended by an allied health professional. It’s about building lasting capacity — not a general gym membership.

Improved Daily Living (mental and physical wellbeing)

This is where most therapy supports sit — psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and allied health assessments. These supports help with both mental wellbeing (managing anxiety, routines, coping strategies) and physical wellbeing (movement, pain, mobility and daily function).

Psychosocial disability and mental wellbeing

If you live with a psychosocial disability, your plan may include a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and supports to help you stay connected, build routines and work towards recovery-oriented goals. Remember: the NDIS funds disability-related supports — clinical mental health treatment (like hospital care or medication) is provided through the mainstream health system, not your plan.

Mental wellbeing supports you can use your plan for

• Psychology or counselling to build coping strategies (Improved Daily Living)
• A Psychosocial Recovery Coach to help you stay on track with recovery goals
• Support workers to help you attend social, community or group activities that reduce isolation
• Positive behaviour support to improve relationships and daily routines
• Capacity building to develop confidence, independence and social skills

Physical wellbeing supports you can use your plan for

• An exercise physiologist to design a safe, disability-appropriate movement program
• Physiotherapy for mobility, pain management or recovery
• A dietitian for nutrition support linked to your disability
• Personal training where recommended by an allied health professional and tied to your goals
• Support to build healthy daily-living routines around sleep, movement and self-care

What the NDIS usually won’t fund

Knowing the limits saves time at your plan review. NDIS wellbeing supports generally don’t include:

• General gym memberships or fitness classes not tied to a disability goal
• Everyday health costs the wider community also pays for (like standard GP visits or medication)
• Clinical mental health treatment provided by the health system
• Supports that aren’t “reasonable and necessary” or aren’t linked to your disability

If you’re unsure whether a support qualifies, your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can help you check before you commit.

How to request NDIS wellbeing supports at your plan review

1. Link it to a goal. Frame wellbeing as a plan goal — for example, “improve my physical health and independence” or “build my confidence and social connection.”
2. Get evidence. Ask your GP or allied health professional for a short report recommending the support (e.g. exercise physiology or psychology) and why it relates to your disability.
3. Be specific. Name the support, how often you’d use it, and the outcome you expect.
4. Bring it to your review. Raise it in your planning meeting and ask for it to be funded under Capacity Building or Core.
5. Use a support coordinator. If you have Support Coordination or a Recovery Coach, they can help you find providers and use your NDIS wellbeing supports effectively.

How SADC can help

At SADC Disability Services, we help participants turn their plan into real, day-to-day wellbeing. From daily living support that builds healthy routines, to support workers who help you get to activities and stay socially connected, we make it easier to actually use your NDIS wellbeing supports. New to the scheme or comparing your options? Our guide on NDIS vs aged care is a helpful next read.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from the NDIA or a qualified professional. What your plan funds depends on your individual goals and the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. For official information, visit the National Disability Insurance Scheme website.

Frequently asked questions

1. Does the NDIS cover mental health supports?

The NDIS funds disability-related supports for people with a permanent psychosocial disability — such as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach, psychology and support to stay socially connected. It doesn’t fund clinical mental health treatment like hospital care or medication, which come through the mainstream health system.

2. Can I use my NDIS plan for exercise or a personal trainer?

Yes, in some cases. Exercise physiology, and personal training recommended by an allied health professional and linked to your disability goals, can be funded under Improved Health & Wellbeing. A general gym membership on its own usually isn’t funded.

3. Which budget pays for NDIS wellbeing supports?

Most sit under Capacity Building (Improved Health & Wellbeing and Improved Daily Living), with community access funded through your Core budget. The right category depends on the support and your goals.

4. How do I add wellbeing supports to my plan?

Link the support to a plan goal, get a short recommendation from your GP or allied health professional, and raise it at your plan review. A support coordinator or recovery coach can help you request and use the support.

5. Does SADC provide NDIS wellbeing supports?

SADC provides daily living support, community participation and support workers that help you put your NDIS wellbeing supports into practice. Contact our team to talk through your plan and goals.

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