What Is NDIS Improved Daily Living?
Improved Daily Living (IDL) is an NDIS Capacity Building support category that funds therapy, assessments, and skill-building activities. The goal is to improve your ability to carry out daily tasks more independently over time.
Unlike Core Supports — which fund the day-to-day assistance you need right now — Improved Daily Living is an investment in your future independence. It funds the allied health professionals and training programs that build your capacity.
In your NDIS plan, IDL appears as:
Support Category: CB Daily Activity (Improved Daily Living Skills)
Budget type: Capacity Building
Core Supports vs Improved Daily Living
Core Supports
Funds the support you need today
- ✓ Support worker personal care
- ✓ Community participation outings
- ✓ Transport to appointments
- ✓ Household task assistance
- ✓ Consumables (continence, low-cost items)
Improved Daily Living
Builds your capacity for tomorrow
- ✓ Occupational therapy
- ✓ Physiotherapy
- ✓ Speech pathology
- ✓ Psychology (capacity building)
- ✓ Behaviour support
- ✓ Skills training programs
What Improved Daily Living Funds — Full List
These are the most common supports funded under NDIS Improved Daily Living.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Assesses and builds your ability to carry out daily tasks — from personal care to home management. One of the most common IDL supports.
Physiotherapy
Improves mobility, strength, and physical function. Helps participants move more independently and safely in their home and community.
Speech Pathology
Builds communication skills, addresses swallowing difficulties, and supports the use of alternative communication methods.
Psychology
Skill-building and behavioural support focused on improving functional capacity — not clinical mental health treatment (which is Medicare-funded).
Positive Behaviour Support
A registered behaviour support practitioner develops a plan to address challenging behaviours and build positive alternatives.
Dietetics
Nutritional assessment and planning for participants whose disability affects eating, digestion, or nutritional intake.
Exercise Physiology
Therapeutic exercise programs designed to improve physical function, manage health conditions, and increase activity participation.
Skills Training Programs
Structured programs teaching practical life skills — cooking, budgeting, public transport navigation, social skills — delivered by qualified practitioners.
How to Get Improved Daily Living in Your NDIS Plan
Set goals that require therapy
At your NDIS planning meeting, state goals that naturally require therapeutic support — e.g. 'improve my ability to cook independently' or 'build communication skills to connect with my community'. Goals drive funding.
Get recommendations from your therapist
Ask your OT, physiotherapist, psychologist, or other allied health professional to write a report or letter recommending specific IDL supports and estimated hours. Bring this to your planning meeting.
Work with a Support Coordinator
A Support Coordinator can help you articulate your goals in a way that supports IDL funding, prepare for your planning meeting, and connect you with the right therapists once your plan is approved.
Use IDL funding strategically
IDL funding is time-limited per plan year. Prioritise supports that will have the most impact on your independence goals — an OT functional assessment early in the plan helps map out the best use of your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions — NDIS Improved Daily Living
Need Support Coordination in Perth?
A good Support Coordinator helps you maximise your Improved Daily Living budget by connecting you with the right therapists and ensuring your plan goals are set up to attract the funding you need. Help Alliance provides support coordination across Perth's northern suburbs.