Community Social Programs

These are supports designed to help NDIS participants participate more fully in their communities — socially, recreationally, culturally and otherwise. This may include support to attend groups, develop friendships, take part in hobbies or community events, and build social or life skills.

You need to be an NDIS participant with funding that includes support for social and community participation. It usually also helps if your NDIS plan has goals related to social connection, community involvement, improved independence, or reducing isolation. The specific supports depend on your disability type, needs, and what is considered “reasonable and necessary.”

Examples include:

• Joining social clubs, hobby groups, or interest-based groups
• Attending community or cultural events, festivals, classes (art, music, sports)
• Volunteering or participating in structured community work or civic activities
• Skill-building sessions (social skills, confidence, independence)
• Transport and support worker assistance to get to and enjoy these activities.

Typically, it comes from the “Core Supports” budget in your NDIS plan under Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation. Sometimes, there is also “Capacity Building support”, which helps build skills or independence. You may need to show how the planned activity supports your goals in your NDIS plan.

Yes. Some costs are your responsibility — for example, activity fees, membership fees, transport costs, and entrance costs. The NDIS may fund the support worker or attendant services, but not always the general costs everyone else incurs. The supports need to be “reasonable, necessary, and value-for-money.” Also, service availability or frequency may depend on what was approved in your plan.

Yes. It is standard for providers to work with you to determine which activities align with your interests, goals, and what you enjoy. Personalisation helps improve engagement & satisfaction. So if you have interests (e.g. art, sport, culture, animals, technology, etc.), tell your provider/planner.

NDIS support can include assistance from support workers to get you to and from community events or help while you’re there. Transport can sometimes be covered or co-ordinated as part of the support. Make sure this is clearly included/planned in your service agreement or NDIS plan.

During your plan meeting or review, you can discuss your goals related to social participation and ask for support that will help you reach those goals (e.g., going out, connecting with people, etc.). Having clear examples of activities and showing how they contribute to your well-being or independence can help. If you feel your needs have changed, you can request a plan review.

Your provider or support coordinator may help adapt or find alternatives. This might include accessible transport, choosing venues that are more convenient, using virtual or online options, or selecting activities that suit your mobility or support level. Barriers should be acknowledged and addressed in your plan or service design.

This depends on what your NDIS plan allows and what was agreed with your service provider. Some plans specify a certain number of support hours for social/community participation. If you want to increase frequency or try new activities, you may need to request more funding or adjust your service agreement or plan.