What is Capacity Building?

Capacity Building can include services and supports to improve your skills and abilities, giving you more independence and opportunity to participate in your community. This support category includes services tailored to meet your personal needs and goals. Whether your goal is to improve daily living skills, find employment, increase your social and community participation, Capacity Building is designed to help you.

Areas of Capacity Building Support

• Improved Daily Living: this area aims to help a participant gain practical skills to manage everyday tasks more effectively, including cooking and cleaning, personal care and budgeting.
• Employment Skills: Including training and support to prepare for, find, and maintain a job. This might involve resume writing, interview preparation, and skills development.
• Social and Community Participation: Enhancing your ability to participate in social and community activities by joining clubs, attending events that matter to you, or learning to use public transport independently.
• Improved Relationships: Build stronger connections with family, friends, and support networks through improved communication skills and relationship-building.
• Health and Wellbeing: Focuses on your physical and mental health through fitness programs, counselling, and other wellness activities.

How Does it Work?

Your NDIS plan will include specific Capacity Building supports based on your personal goals set out when you start your plan. These can change over time as your plan is reviewed. Supports are delivered through programs and activities you engage with through your providers, and are designed to develop your skills and independence over time. The flexibility of the NDIS allows you to choose the providers and services that best meet your needs.

Why is Capacity Building Important?

Capacity Building is important because it empowers you to take control, and encourages the development of essential skills, and increased independence along with more community participation and support to reach your goals. 

Below are case studies of participants who have used capacity building to support their goals; you can read more on the NDIS website

• Sam - Building Independence and Job Skills

Sam's journey towards independence and employment skills shows the impact of Capacity Building supports. 

Through support provided by the NDIS, including building skills to find the right job for him. Supports in Capacity Building not only helped him in refining job-specific skills but also in improving his overall independence in daily activities, Sam now has the confidence and is building on the skills necessary to find a job in radio, navigate public transport independently and building his skills in the kitchen. 

‘I want to help spread awareness and encourage others to not be defined by their disabilities,’ Read Sam's full story on the NDIS website: Sam's story

• Charlie - Improving Home, School, and Community Life

Charlie’s journey shows how NDIS Capacity Building supports can help people with disabilities in their homes, schools, and communities, and give them greater choice and control in their lives. 

In Charlie’s story, we see the positive impact of NDIS Capacity Building supports on his daily living skills ‘We are also teaching Charlie to cook and how to make healthier food choices”, education - where his school has made changes to increase his accessibility and participation in the community through his boxing classes. 

Read Charlie’s full story on the NDIS website: Charlie's story

Getting Started

As an NDIS participant, you can talk to your planner or support coordinator about including Capacity Building supports in your plan. They can also help you set out your goals and help you find the best ways to achieve them. If you’re new to the NDIS, start by exploring the official NDIS website to understand more about how it can support you.

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