NDIS Improved Health & Wellbeing: a plain-English guide

If your NDIS plan includes funding under Improved Health and Wellbeing, you can use it to access supports that help you stay fit, manage your health, and build the physical capacity to live the life you want. This funding covers things like exercise physiology, dietetics, and other allied health services that relate directly to your disability. It does not cover general medical care or services that Medicare or private health insurance should fund. Read on for a clear breakdown of what is included, who pays, how to choose a provider, and what to watch out for.

What is Improved Health and Wellbeing in the NDIS?

Improved Health and Wellbeing is one of the NDIS support categories. It sits under the broader group of Capacity Building supports, which means the goal is to build your skills, fitness, or independence over time rather than simply provide ongoing care.

The NDIS describes this category as funding supports that help participants improve their physical health and wellbeing in ways that are directly related to their disability. The focus is on building capacity, not replacing what Medicare or the health system already covers.

What supports does it typically fund?

Common supports funded under this category include:

• Exercise physiology - structured exercise programmes designed and delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist to improve strength, mobility, cardiovascular fitness, or pain management.
• Dietetics - personalised nutrition advice from an accredited practising dietitian, particularly where diet directly affects a disability-related condition.
• Personal training (in limited circumstances) - only when delivered by a qualified allied health professional and directly linked to disability-related goals.
• Aquatic therapy - hydrotherapy sessions supervised by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
• Health coaching - in some plans, support to develop healthy routines and self-management strategies.

It is worth noting that physiotherapy is usually funded under a different category (Improved Daily Activities), and that general gym memberships are not covered unless there is a clear, documented link to your disability goals.

What does it NOT cover?

This is where many participants and families get caught out. Improved Health and Wellbeing funding cannot be used for:

• GP visits, specialist appointments, or hospital care (these are Medicare-funded).
• Dental care or optical services.
• General fitness pursuits with no documented link to your disability.
• Supplements, vitamins, or over-the-counter products.
• Weight-loss programmes that are not tied to a disability-related health goal.

If you are unsure whether a specific support is covered, ask your support coordinator or plan manager before booking. You can also visit the help and support section on OpenWay for guidance on navigating funding categories.

Who pays for Improved Health and Wellbeing supports?

The funding comes from your NDIS plan, specifically from the Capacity Building budget. How you manage the payment depends on how your plan is set up.

Self-managed participants

If you are self-managed, you pay the provider directly and then submit a claim to the NDIA through the myplace portal. You have the most flexibility here - you can use both NDIS-registered and unregistered providers, and you can negotiate rates (though staying at or below the NDIS Pricing Arrangements limits is advisable to make your budget last).

Plan-managed participants

If you have a plan manager, they handle the invoices on your behalf. You choose the provider, the provider sends an invoice to your plan manager, and the plan manager pays from your NDIS funds. Like self-managed participants, you can use registered or unregistered providers.

NDIA-managed (agency-managed) participants

If the NDIA manages your funding directly, you must use NDIS-registered providers. The provider claims payment directly from the NDIA portal. You have less flexibility in provider choice, but the administration is handled for you.

Understanding your management type matters because it shapes which providers you can access and how invoices are processed. If you are not sure which category applies to you, check your plan document or speak with your support coordinator.

Who is eligible for this funding?

Not every NDIS participant will have Improved Health and Wellbeing in their plan. The NDIA includes it when there is a clear link between the proposed supports and a participant's disability-related functional needs.

To have this funding included (or increased at plan review), you generally need:

1. A letter or report from a treating health professional explaining why the support is disability-related and what functional outcomes are expected.
2. Evidence that the support is not already available through the health system (i.e., it is not something Medicare or private health insurance would reasonably cover).
3. A clear connection between the support and your NDIS goals, as stated in your plan.

If you feel your current plan does not reflect your health and wellbeing needs, you can request a plan review. Bringing supporting documentation from your GP, specialist, or allied health professional strengthens your case considerably.

How to choose an Improved Health and Wellbeing provider

Choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. The quality of the service, the provider's experience with disability, and the practical logistics all matter.

Check qualifications and registration

For exercise physiology, look for providers who are accredited with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). For dietetics, check that the practitioner is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) registered with Dietitians Australia. These credentials are not just formalities - they indicate the practitioner has met national competency standards.

If you are agency-managed, your provider must also be registered with the NDIS Commission. You can check registration status on the NDIS Commission's provider register. For self-managed and plan-managed participants, NDIS registration is not mandatory, but it does add a layer of accountability.

Ask the right questions before you commit

Before signing a service agreement, consider asking:

• Do you have experience working with people who have my type of disability?
• Where do sessions take place - at a clinic, at home, in the community, or online?
• What happens if I need to cancel? What is your cancellation policy?
• How will we measure progress toward my goals?
• Do you provide written reports that I can share with my NDIS planner or support coordinator?

Look for person-centred practice

A good provider will take time to understand your goals, not just your diagnosis. They should involve you (and your family or carers if relevant) in setting the programme, explain what they are doing and why, and adjust the approach if it is not working.

Be cautious of providers who seem to run every participant through the same generic programme regardless of individual needs. Disability-related health supports should be tailored to you.

Support coordinators can be a valuable resource here. The support coordinator workspace on OpenWay is designed to help coordinators shortlist providers, compare profiles, and share options with participants efficiently.

Consider location and accessibility

Think about whether the provider's clinic or studio is physically accessible for you. If travel is difficult, ask whether they offer home visits or telehealth sessions. Some exercise physiologists and dietitians deliver sessions via video call, which can be a practical option for participants in regional or remote areas of Australia.

Red flags to watch for

Unfortunately, not every provider operates with the participant's best interests at heart. Here are some warning signs to be aware of:

• Pressure to sign long-term service agreements immediately - a reputable provider will give you time to read and consider any agreement.
• Vague or generic goal-setting - if a provider cannot explain how their service connects to your specific NDIS goals, that is a concern.
• No clear invoicing or receipts - you or your plan manager should always receive itemised invoices that match NDIS line items.
• Claiming for sessions that did not occur - this is fraud. If you notice discrepancies between what was delivered and what was billed, report it to the NDIS Commission.
• Discouraging you from involving your support coordinator or family - a good provider welcomes collaboration.
• Offering services that seem outside their scope - for example, a personal trainer who is not a qualified allied health professional billing under exercise physiology line items.

You can read more about how OpenWay approaches provider verification and safety at the OpenWay trust and safety page.

Making the most of your Improved Health and Wellbeing funding

Once you have chosen a provider and signed a service agreement, a few habits will help you get the most value from your funding.

• Keep a record of every session - note the date, what was covered, and any outcomes or progress. This documentation helps at plan review time.
• Communicate openly with your provider - if something is not working, say so. Adjusting the approach early is far better than continuing with a programme that is not delivering results.
• Connect your health goals to your broader NDIS goals - the more clearly your provider's reports link their work to your plan goals, the stronger your case for continued or increased funding.
• Review your budget regularly - if you are plan-managed or self-managed, check your spending against your Capacity Building budget to avoid running out of funds before the plan period ends.

Frequently asked

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

Generally, no. A standard gym membership is not covered because it is not considered a disability support. However, if an exercise physiologist designs and supervises a gym-based programme specifically to address your disability-related functional goals, the sessions with that professional may be funded. The key test is whether the support is directly linked to your disability and is not something the general health system would provide.

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

Both are Capacity Building categories, but they cover different types of allied health supports. Improved Daily Activities (also called Daily Activity) typically funds things like occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physiotherapy. Improved Health and Wellbeing focuses more specifically on physical health and fitness supports such as exercise physiology and dietetics. In practice, some supports could sit in either category depending on how your plan is structured, so it is worth checking with your support coordinator or the NDIA if you are unsure.

Do I need a referral from my GP to access these services?

For NDIS-funded supports, you do not always need a GP referral in the same way you would for Medicare-rebated services. However, having a letter or report from your GP or specialist that explains the disability-related need for the support is very helpful when requesting the funding in your plan. Some providers may also ask for background health information before starting, so having recent documentation ready is a good idea.

How OpenWay can help

Finding the right Improved Health and Wellbeing provider can take time, especially if you are new to the NDIS or navigating a plan review. OpenWay is a free marketplace for NDIS participants, families and support coordinators across Australia. You can browse NDIS providers by support category and location to find exercise physiologists, dietitians and other allied health professionals who work with NDIS participants.

Provider profiles on OpenWay include details about the services offered, the areas covered, and the populations each provider has experience working with. Support coordinators can use the platform to shortlist options and share them with participants, making the process of comparing providers more straightforward. Participants and families can explore the participant section of OpenWay to understand how the platform works and what to expect.

OpenWay is free to use for participants and families. There is no obligation to enquire, and no pressure to commit. It is simply a way to find and compare providers more easily.

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.