NDIS Improved Health & Wellbeing: a plain-English guide

If your NDIS plan includes funding under Improved Health and Wellbeing, it can pay for supports like exercise physiology, dietetics, and personal training that directly relate to your disability. It does not cover general health costs that Medicare or private health insurance would normally fund. This guide explains what the category covers, how to work out if a support is fundable, how to choose a provider you can trust, and what warning signs to watch out for along the way.

What is Improved Health and Wellbeing in the NDIS?

Improved Health and Wellbeing is one of the NDIS support categories under the broader group of Capacity Building supports. Its purpose is to help you build skills, habits, and physical capacity that are directly linked to your disability - not to replace mainstream health services.

The NDIS uses the term "capacity building" deliberately. Funding in this category is generally aimed at helping you become more independent over time, not just maintaining the status quo. That means the supports you access should have a clear connection to your disability-related goals.

What supports are typically included?

Common supports funded under this category include:

• Exercise physiology - structured, evidence-based exercise programmes delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist
• Dietetics and nutrition - advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) on managing diet in ways that relate to your disability
• Personal training - where it is delivered by a qualified professional and linked to your disability goals
• Healthy lifestyle coaching - programmes designed to build sustainable health habits connected to your disability
• Hydrotherapy - water-based therapy where it is prescribed as part of a disability support plan

This is not an exhaustive list, and what is funded in your specific plan depends on what the NDIA has approved for you. Always check your plan before booking a service.

What is NOT covered?

This is where many participants and families get caught out. The NDIS will not fund supports that are:

• The responsibility of Medicare, private health insurance, or the public health system
• General fitness or wellness activities with no clear disability link
• Gym memberships (in most cases, unless specifically approved)
• Cosmetic or lifestyle-only interventions

If a provider tells you something is "definitely covered by the NDIS" without checking your plan, treat that as a warning sign. More on red flags below.

Who can access this funding, and who pays for it?

Not every NDIS participant has Improved Health and Wellbeing funding in their plan. The NDIA decides what is "reasonable and necessary" for each person based on their disability, goals, and circumstances. If this category is not in your plan, you cannot use NDIS funds to pay for these supports - even if you feel they would help you.

If you believe you need supports in this category but they are not currently funded, you can raise this at your next plan review, or request a plan reassessment if your needs have changed significantly. A support coordinator or LAC (Local Area Coordinator) can help you build that case.

Who manages the funding?

How your Improved Health and Wellbeing funding is managed depends on your plan management type:

• NDIA-managed (Agency-managed): You must use NDIS-registered providers. The provider claims directly from the NDIA.
• Plan-managed: A plan manager pays the provider on your behalf. You can use both registered and unregistered providers.
• Self-managed: You pay the provider and claim reimbursement. You have the most flexibility, including using unregistered providers, but you carry the administrative responsibility.

Understanding your plan management type before you start searching for providers will save you a lot of confusion. If you are unsure, check your plan document or ask your plan manager or support coordinator.

You can also explore what OpenWay offers for NDIS participants and families to get a sense of how a marketplace like ours can make the search easier.

How to choose an Improved Health and Wellbeing provider

Choosing the right provider takes a bit of research, but it is worth doing properly. A good provider will understand the NDIS, communicate clearly about costs and goals, and genuinely work toward building your capacity.

Here is a practical checklist to work through before you commit:

1. Check their qualifications. Exercise physiologists should be accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Dietitians should be Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) registered with Dietitians Australia. Ask for evidence if you are unsure.
2. Confirm their registration status. If your plan is NDIA-managed, the provider must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. You can check the NDIS provider register on the NDIS Commission website.
3. Ask about NDIS experience. Has the provider worked with people who have a similar disability to yours? Do they understand how to write goal-aligned progress notes?
4. Request a service agreement. A written service agreement should clearly outline the supports to be delivered, the cost per session, cancellation policies, and travel charges. Never start services without one.
5. Ask how they measure progress. A good provider will set measurable goals with you and review them regularly. If they cannot explain how they will track your progress, that is a concern.
6. Check the price. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits set maximum rates for most supports. A provider charging above those limits for NDIS-funded sessions is not operating correctly.
7. Consider location and access. Can they come to you, or do you need to travel? Is the venue accessible? Do they offer telehealth?

When you are ready to start comparing options, browsing NDIS providers on OpenWay lets you filter by support type, location, and registration status so you can build a shortlist without spending hours on Google.

Questions to ask a provider before you sign anything

Before you commit to a service agreement, a short conversation with a potential provider can tell you a lot. Here are some useful questions to ask:

• "Can you explain how this support connects to my disability goals?"
• "Are you registered with the NDIS Commission, and can I see your registration details?"
• "What is your cancellation policy, and what happens if I need to reschedule?"
• "Do you charge for travel, and if so, how is that calculated?"
• "How will you communicate progress to me, my family, or my support coordinator?"
• "What happens if the support is not working for me?"

A provider who answers these questions clearly and without frustration is a good sign. One who becomes evasive or dismissive when you ask about costs and policies is not.

Support coordinators who use OpenWay can also access the support coordinator workspace to shortlist providers, share options with participants, and track enquiries - which can make this process much more efficient for everyone involved.

Red flags to watch for

Unfortunately, not every provider in the disability sector operates with integrity. Here are some specific red flags to be aware of when accessing Improved Health and Wellbeing supports:

• Vague or verbal-only agreements. If a provider refuses to give you a written service agreement, walk away.
• Guaranteed outcomes. No legitimate provider can guarantee that a programme will produce specific health results. If someone promises you a particular outcome, be sceptical.
• Pressure to use more sessions than planned. Some providers push participants to book more sessions than they need to exhaust funding. Your plan funding is for your benefit, not theirs.
• No clear disability connection. If a provider cannot explain how their service links to your disability and your NDIS goals, the support may not be fundable - and you could face a claim rejection.
• Charging above the NDIS price limits. Ask for a fee schedule and compare it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements. These are publicly available on the NDIS website.
• Claiming to be "NDIS approved" without being registered. Being registered with the NDIS Commission and being "NDIS approved" are not the same thing. The latter is not a real status - it is a marketing phrase some providers use loosely.
• Poor communication or no progress notes. If your provider cannot produce clear records of what was delivered and what progress was made, that is a problem for your plan reviews and for your safety.

OpenWay's trust and safety approach outlines how we handle provider verification on the platform, so you can understand what checks are in place when you browse.

How to get the most out of your Improved Health and Wellbeing funding

Once you have found a good provider and signed a service agreement, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your funding:

• Set clear goals from the start. Work with your provider to write goals that are specific and measurable, not vague. "Improve strength" is less useful than "be able to carry groceries independently within six months."
• Keep records. Store copies of your service agreement, invoices, and progress notes. This makes plan reviews much easier.
• Review regularly. Check in with your provider every few months to assess whether the support is still working. If it is not, it is okay to change providers.
• Talk to your support coordinator. If you have a support coordinator, keep them across how your Improved Health and Wellbeing supports are going. They can help you adjust your approach if needed.
• Raise concerns early. If something does not feel right - whether it is a billing issue, a communication problem, or a concern about the quality of support - raise it early. You can also contact the NDIS Commission if you have a complaint about a registered provider.

Frequently asked

Can I use Improved Health and Wellbeing funding to pay for a gym membership?

In most cases, no. A standard gym membership is generally considered a mainstream service that the NDIS does not fund. However, in some situations, the NDIA may approve gym access as part of a broader, disability-linked exercise programme - particularly if an exercise physiologist is involved and the gym is the venue for your sessions. This needs to be specifically approved in your plan. Do not assume it is covered without checking.

What is the difference between Improved Health and Wellbeing and Improved Daily Living?

Both are Capacity Building categories, but they serve different purposes. Improved Health and Wellbeing focuses on physical health supports like exercise physiology and dietetics. Improved Daily Living covers therapy supports like occupational therapy, speech pathology, and psychology. Some participants have funding in both categories, depending on their goals and disability support needs. If you are unsure which category a particular support falls under, ask your support coordinator, plan manager, or the provider.

Can I switch providers if I am unhappy with the one I have?

Yes. You have the right to change providers at any time, subject to the notice period and cancellation terms in your service agreement. Before you switch, review your agreement to understand any obligations. Once you have met those, you are free to find a new provider. It is good practice to formally end the service agreement in writing before starting with someone new.

How OpenWay can help

Finding a qualified, trustworthy Improved Health and Wellbeing provider can take time - especially when you are also managing everything else that comes with living with a disability or supporting someone who does. OpenWay is a free-to-use marketplace for NDIS participants and their families, designed to make the search more straightforward.

You can browse NDIS providers across Australia and filter by support category, location, and registration status. Each provider profile gives you the information you need to compare options and send an enquiry directly - without any pressure to commit.

If you are a support coordinator looking for a more efficient way to shortlist and share provider options with the people you support, the OpenWay coordinator workspace is built for exactly that.

OpenWay is not part of the NDIS, NDIA or NDIS Commission. Final scope, pricing, travel, cancellation rules and non-face-to-face charges must be confirmed in a written service agreement between the participant (or their authorised support person) and the provider.