Understanding CB Daily Activities and Improved Daily Living Skills in the NDIS

Published at 31-03-2025 14:21:50

Tags: #ForParticipants

In the NDIS framework, the terms "Improved Daily Living Skills" and "CB Daily Activity" refer to the same support category, albeit with different nomenclature used in various parts of the NDIS system. "Improved Daily Living Skills" is the term used in the NDIS support catalogue and your NDIS plan, while "CB Daily Activity" appears in the NDIS portal. This discrepancy is slated for resolution with the new NDIS PACE system, which aims to standardize terminology and streamline processes for all participants over the next year.

What Does This Support Category Include?

Improved Daily Living Skills is a funding category designed to enhance an individual's abilities in various aspects of daily life, contributing to greater independence and community participation. This support can be provided individually or in group settings and encompasses a wide range of therapies and services such as:

• Occupational Therapy
• Psychology
• Physiotherapy
• Exercise Physiology
• Speech Therapy
• Dietetics
• Counselling
• Social Work
• Developmental Education
• Audiology
• Podiatry
• Orthoptics
• Therapy Assistance
• Art Therapy
• Music Therapy

Additionally, this category includes capacity-building services aimed at skill development in areas such as:

• Public Transport Training
• Assistance with decision-making, daily planning, and budgeting
• Training for parents/carers
• Driving Lessons
• Specialized or wearable technology

Flexibility of Funding Use Within This Category

With an NDIS Pace Plan, participants have the flexibility to allocate their Improved Daily Living funding across any of the supported therapies listed, depending on their individual goals. For example, if a participant has $10,000 allocated for Improved Daily Living and aims to manage anxiety, they could choose to spend this budget on psychology, counselling, or occupational therapy, based on what best suits their needs.

However, older NDIS plans that are not under the PACE framework may specify particular supports within this category, such as "$10,000 for Psychology to help manage your anxiety." In these cases, participants must adhere to the stipulations of their plan.

Understanding Therapy Costs and Travel

The cost of therapies can vary significantly between registered and unregistered providers. Therapists can charge for travel time involved in providing services. The allowable time for travel claims depends on the Modified Monash Model (MMM) region classification:

• 30 minutes in MMM1-3 areas
• 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas

Here's how you might see it broken down:

• Therapy session: [# of hours] x [hourly rate]
• Travel: [# of units] x [hourly rate for travel]

Line Items for Easy Reference:

• For Occupational Therapy: 15_617_0128_1_3 for the therapy itself and 15_799_0128_1_3 for the travel.
• Similar line items exist for each type of therapy, matching the therapy provision to its respective travel charges.

Travel costs should be billed separately and agreed upon in advance as part of the service agreement, with the travel component listed separately on invoices.

Shared Travel Time

If a therapist is providing services to multiple participants in the same region, it's reasonable to apportion the total travel time (including the return journey where applicable) among those participants. This apportionment should also be agreed upon in advance as part of the service agreement.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the NDIS and understanding the specifics of funding categories like Improved Daily Living Skills is crucial for maximizing the benefits of the plan. Whether you're new to the NDIS or adapting to changes such as the transition to the NDIS PACE system, understanding these details can significantly enhance your ability to manage your supports effectively. If you need help navigating these options, Expath is here to assist with expert advice and support tailored to your needs.