NDIS Capacity Building vs Core Funding: Which One Can Cover Social Skills Coaching?
If you're a support coordinator, plan manager, or parent navigating NDIS funding for social skills coaching, you've probably asked yourself: Should this come from Capacity Building or Core Supports?
The answer isn't always straightforward—and confusion around budget categories is one of the most common reasons participants miss out on valuable supports like social skills coaching.
In this guide, we'll break down the difference between NDIS Capacity Building and Core funding, explain which budget categories cover social skills coaching, and provide practical guidance for support coordinators and families to access this essential support.
Understanding NDIS Funding Categories
The NDIS divides funding into three main categories, each with a different purpose:
1. Core Supports
Purpose: Day-to-day supports that help participants with daily living, transport, and consumables.
Flexibility: High—Core funding is flexible and can be used across different support types within the Core category.
Examples:
Assistance with daily personal activities
Transport to appointments or community activities
Consumables (continence aids, low-cost assistive technology)
Assistance with social and community participation
2. Capacity Building
Purpose: Supports that build skills, independence, and capacity to achieve goals. These are time-limited and focused on teaching participants new abilities.
Flexibility: Lower—Capacity Building funding is divided into specific budget categories, and funds cannot be moved between categories without a plan review.
Examples:
Improved Daily Living (therapy, skill development)
Improved Relationships (social skills training, relationship coaching)
Improved Learning (educational support, tutoring)
Improved Employment (job coaching, workplace skills)
Improved Health and Wellbeing (exercise physiology, dietetics)
Improved Life Choices (plan management, support coordination)
3. Capital Supports
Purpose: High-cost items like assistive technology, home modifications, and vehicle modifications.
Examples:
Wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices
Home modifications (ramps, bathroom alterations)
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
For social skills coaching, we're focusing on Core and Capacity Building supports.
Can Social Skills Coaching Be Funded Under Core Supports?
Yes—but only in specific circumstances.
Core Support Category: Assistance with Social and Community Participation
This Core budget can fund supports that help participants access and participate in social and community activities. However, it's designed for assistance and support, not skill-building or training.
What Core Funding CAN Cover
Support workers who accompany participants to social activities – For example, a support worker who helps a participant attend a community event, navigate social situations, or feel safe in group settings
Facilitation of social participation – Practical assistance to engage in social or recreational activities
Transport to social activities – Getting to and from community events, clubs, or social gatherings
What Core Funding CANNOT Cover
Structured social skills training or coaching – Core funding is for doing, not learning
Evidence-based programs like PEERS® – These are educational and therapeutic, which falls under Capacity Building
One-on-one coaching focused on skill development – This is capacity-building by nature
When to Use Core Funding
Core funding is appropriate when the participant needs hands-on support to participate in social activities, but not necessarily to learn new skills.
Example: A participant with high support needs attends a weekly social group with a support worker who helps them navigate the environment, communicate with peers, and stay safe. This is funded under Core Supports (Assistance with Social and Community Participation).
Can Social Skills Coaching Be Funded Under Capacity Building?
Yes—and this is the primary funding source for structured social skills coaching.
Capacity Building supports are specifically designed to help participants build skills, independence, and capacity. Social skills coaching fits squarely within this category because it teaches participants how to:
Start and maintain conversations
Make and keep friends
Navigate social situations independently
Handle conflict, teasing, and gossip
Use social media and electronic communication appropriately
Develop workplace social skills
The Primary Support Item for Social Skills Coaching
The most appropriate NDIS support item for individual social skills coaching is:
11_024_0117_7_3 – Individual Social Skills Development
This support item sits within the Capacity Building – Improved Learning budget category and is specifically designed for one-on-one social skills training and development.
What This Support Item Covers
Individual social skills coaching and training
Evidence-based programs like PEERS®
Structured skill development in conversation, friendship-making, and social interaction
Communication skills training
Social problem-solving and conflict resolution
Pricing
The NDIS price limit for support item 11_024_0117_7_3 is $80.06 per hour (standard rate, as of 2025-26 pricing arrangements).
Other Capacity Building Categories That May Apply
Depending on the participant's goals and how the support is framed in their plan, social skills coaching may also be funded under other Capacity Building categories:
1. Improved Relationships
Purpose: Supports that help participants develop and maintain relationships with family, friends, and the community.
When to use: If the primary goal is building and maintaining friendships and relationships.
Example goal: "Develop skills to make and maintain friendships with peers."
2. Improved Daily Living
Purpose: Supports that build skills for daily living and independence, including therapy and skill development.
When to use: If social skills challenges are impacting daily functioning (e.g., difficulty communicating needs, navigating public spaces).
Example goal: "Improve communication skills to navigate daily activities independently."
3. Social and Community Participation (Capacity Building)
Purpose: Capacity-building supports that help participants engage more independently in social and community activities.
When to use: If the focus is on building skills to participate in community life independently.
Example goal: "Build skills to participate in community activities and social groups."
4. Improved Learning
Purpose: Supports that help participants engage in education and learning environments.
When to use: If social skills challenges are impacting school or university participation (this is where support item 11_024_0117_7_3 sits).
Example goal: "Develop social skills to engage with peers and participate in classroom activities."
How to Determine Which Budget Category to Use
The right budget category depends on how the support is framed in the participant's plan and what their goals are.
Key Questions to Ask
What is the participant's primary goal?
Learning social skills for school or education? → Improved Learning (11_024_0117_7_3)
Making friends and building relationships? → Improved Relationships
Improving daily functioning and independence? → Improved Daily Living
Participating in community activities? → Social and Community Participation
Is the support focused on skill-building or hands-on assistance?
Skill-building (teaching, coaching, training) → Capacity Building
Hands-on assistance (support worker accompanying participant) → Core Supports
Is there funding in the relevant Capacity Building category?
If yes → Use that category
If no → Consider requesting a plan review to add funding, or explore whether the support can be framed under a different category with available funding
What If There's No Capacity Building Funding in the Plan?
If a participant's plan doesn't include Capacity Building funding for social skills coaching, there are a few options:
1. Request a Plan Review
Support coordinators or participants can request a plan review to add Capacity Building funding. This is appropriate if:
The participant's goals include building social skills or relationships
There's evidence that social skills coaching will help them achieve their goals
The support is reasonable and necessary
Tip: Provide evidence such as reports from allied health professionals, school feedback, or assessments showing the need for social skills support.
2. Use Core Funding (with Limitations)
If the participant has Core funding for Social and Community Participation, it may be possible to use it for group-based social skills activities that involve participation rather than formal training. However, this is not ideal for structured programs like PEERS®.
3. Self-Fund or Seek Alternative Funding
If NDIS funding isn't available, participants may choose to self-fund or explore other funding sources (e.g., Medicare rebates for psychology sessions that include social skills work, or community grants).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using the Wrong Budget Category
Mistake: Trying to claim structured social skills coaching under Core Supports.
Why it's a problem: Core funding is for assistance, not skill-building. Claims may be rejected or audited.
Solution: Ensure social skills coaching is claimed under the appropriate Capacity Building category, ideally using support item 11_024_0117_7_3.
2. Not Linking the Support to Plan Goals
Mistake: Claiming social skills coaching when the participant's plan doesn't include goals related to relationships, communication, or social participation.
Why it's a problem: The NDIS requires all supports to be linked to plan goals. If there's no relevant goal, the support may not be considered reasonable and necessary.
Solution: Work with the participant to include clear, measurable goals related to social skills in their plan.
3. Assuming All Capacity Building Budgets Are Flexible
Mistake: Trying to use funding from one Capacity Building category (e.g., Improved Health and Wellbeing) to pay for social skills coaching (which should come from Improved Learning or Improved Relationships).
Why it's a problem: Capacity Building budgets are not flexible—funds cannot be moved between categories without a plan review.
Solution: Ensure the correct Capacity Building category has sufficient funding before engaging a provider.
4. Using the Wrong Support Item Number
Mistake: Invoicing under a generic therapy code rather than the specific Individual Social Skills Development code (11_024_0117_7_3).
Why it's a problem: Using incorrect support items can lead to claim rejections and audit issues.
Solution: Always use the correct, specific support item number for the service being provided.
How Strivesocial Invoices for Social Skills Coaching
At Strivesocial, we're a registered NDIS provider, and we make the invoicing process straightforward for participants, plan managers, and support coordinators.
Our Invoicing Process
We confirm the correct budget category and support item – During the initial consultation, we discuss the participant's plan and goals to determine which Capacity Building category is appropriate and confirm that support item 11_024_0117_7_3 (Individual Social Skills Development) is available in their plan.
We use NDIS-compliant pricing – Our sessions are charged in line with NDIS pricing guidelines for Capacity Building supports.
We invoice directly through your plan manager or the NDIS portal – No upfront payment required for plan-managed or NDIA-managed participants.
We provide detailed service reports – Our reports clearly link sessions to the participant's goals, making it easy for support coordinators and the NDIS to see the value and progress.
Primary NDIS Support Item We Use
11_024_0117_7_3 – Individual Social Skills Development (Capacity Building – Improved Learning)
Depending on the participant's plan structure and goals, we may also invoice under other relevant Capacity Building categories if Individual Social Skills Development is not available in their plan.
Case Study: How We Helped Blake Access Social Skills Coaching
Blain* (14, autism) came to us with a plan that included funding under Improved Learning. His goal was to "develop social skills to engage with peers and participate in school activities." His support coordinator referred him to Strivesocial for one-on-one PEERS coaching.
We worked with Blain's plan manager to invoice directly under support item 11_024_0117_7_3 (Individual Social Skills Development). Over 14 weeks, Blain learned conversation skills, how to join groups, and how to handle teasing. His mum reported that he's now more confident, has made new friends, and feels more connected at school.
Blain's support coordinator noted that the clear progress reports made it easy to demonstrate the value of the support at his next plan review.
Tips for Support Coordinators
If you're a support coordinator helping a participant access social skills coaching, here are some practical tips:
1. Review the Plan Carefully
Check if support item 11_024_0117_7_3 (Individual Social Skills Development) is included in the plan
Check which Capacity Building categories have funding
Ensure there are goals related to relationships, communication, learning, or social participation
Confirm there's sufficient funding to cover the recommended number of sessions (typically 10–14 weeks for PEERS®)
2. Frame the Support Correctly
Link the support to specific plan goals
Use language that aligns with NDIS principles (reasonable, necessary, evidence-based, capacity-building)
Provide evidence of need (e.g., allied health reports, school feedback, functional assessments)
Request the specific support item 11_024_0117_7_3 if it's not already in the plan
3. Choose an Evidence-Based Provider
Look for providers who use evidence-based programs (e.g., PEERS®, Social Thinking, etc.)
Ensure the provider is a registered NDIS provider and can invoice directly
Check that the provider offers progress reporting and outcome measurement
4. Monitor Progress and Outcomes
Request regular progress reports from the provider
Check in with the participant and their family to assess whether the support is meeting their goals
Use progress data to justify continued funding or request additional funding at the next plan review
Why Social Skills Coaching Is a Reasonable and Necessary Support
The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary to help participants achieve their goals and live more independently. Social skills coaching meets these criteria because:
It's evidence-based – Programs like PEERS® are backed by decades of research and proven to improve social outcomes
It builds capacity and independence – Participants learn skills they can use for life, reducing the need for ongoing support
It addresses a core area of disability impact – Many NDIS participants (especially those with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability) experience significant challenges with social skills and relationships
It aligns with NDIS goals – Social connection, community participation, and relationships are key areas of focus in the NDIS Act
There's a specific support item for it – The NDIS has created support item 11_024_0117_7_3 specifically for individual social skills development, recognising its importance
Final Thoughts: Capacity Building Is the Right Choice
While Core funding can support social participation in limited circumstances, Capacity Building is the appropriate funding source for structured social skills coaching.
The most appropriate support item is 11_024_0117_7_3 – Individual Social Skills Development, which sits within the Improved Learning budget category.
If you're a support coordinator, plan manager, or parent navigating NDIS funding for social skills coaching, the key is to:
Request support item 11_024_0117_7_3 in the participant's plan
Link the support to clear plan goals related to learning, relationships, or social participation
Choose the correct Capacity Building category based on the participant's primary goals
Work with an evidence-based, registered NDIS provider
Monitor progress and outcomes to justify continued funding
Need Help Accessing Social Skills Coaching Through the NDIS?
At Strivesocial, we make it easy for participants, families, and support coordinators to access evidence-based social skills coaching through the NDIS.
We're a registered NDIS provider specialising in the PEERS® Program, and we handle all the invoicing, reporting, and documentation to ensure a smooth process.
For support coordinators: We provide detailed progress reports, outcome measurements, and clear links to plan goals—making it easy to demonstrate value and justify continued funding.
For participants and families: We offer flexible, personalised coaching (online or in-person) with no waitlist and no upfront payment required for plan-managed or NDIA-managed participants.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can support your participant or client.
📞 Phone: 0408 707 866
📧 Email: julie@strivesocial.com.au
🌐 Website: www.strivesocial.com.au
Because every participant deserves access to evidence-based supports that build skills, independence, and meaningful relationships.
