What in kind means
When the NDIS started, states and territories agreed to hand over their disability programs over time. Some of their existing services kept running and were counted towards their share of NDIS funding. Because the government had already paid for these services, they are called in kind: you receive the service, rather than money in your plan.
Over the years most in kind arrangements have ended and those supports are now paid from participants' plans in the usual way.
Which in kind supports remain
Two in kind programs still operate across the states and territories:
- Specialist school transport: transport to and from school for students with disability, run by the state or territory education system
- Personal care in schools: help with personal care, such as toileting, eating and moving around, for students at government schools, paid for by the state or territory and delivered by the school
How they show in your plan
If you use one of these programs, it appears in your plan so the NDIA has a full picture of your supports. It is there to record that you get the service. You do not need to use your own NDIS funding to pay for it, and the provider must not invoice you or your plan manager for it.
In kind funding is always managed by the NDIA. You cannot self manage it or have a plan manager pay for it.
Can you choose a different provider?
For school transport and personal care in schools, the NDIA says you need to use the state or territory government providers, because these supports are most efficiently and effectively delivered that way.
For most other in kind supports, the NDIA can let you choose another provider if another provider can give you the same level of support, the support still meets the NDIS funding criteria including value for money, and there are no serious risks with changing.
What is changing
The remaining in kind arrangements were due to end on 31 December 2026. On 14 August 2026, Commonwealth, state and territory disability ministers agreed a final two year extension of in kind arrangements for specialist school transport and personal care in schools from 31 December 2026, subject to agreement on a long term solution that officials are developing.
Under the proposed new framework planning rules, in kind supports are listed as a type of stated support, meaning the funding is tied to that specific support. Nothing changes for your child's school transport or school personal care right now.
For providers
If you deliver a support that is funded in kind, you have already been paid by the government and must not claim the same support from the participant's plan as well. If you are not sure whether a support is in kind, check the participant's plan or ask the NDIA before you invoice.