NDIS Social and Community Participation helps people with disabilities access the support they need to become more involved in their communities and enjoy activities that matter to them. In short, if getting involved in your community takes a bit of extra support, there’s a good chance the NDIS has a funding category built exactly for that.
This guide breaks down where this funding sits, what it can (and cannot) pay for, how pricing works, and how to make sure it is actually helping you live the life you want.
What Does Social and Community Participation Mean Under the NDIS?
Under the NDIS, Social and Community Participation refers to supports that help participants take part in everyday social, recreational, educational, and community activities that may otherwise be difficult because of their disability.
The core objective is to help people build skills, increase independence, form meaningful relationships, and become active members of their local community.
Social Participation vs. Community Access
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they focus on slightly different areas:
- Social Participation: Mainly focuses on building relationships and participating in activities that involve interacting with other people (e.g., meeting friends, joining clubs, or attending social events).
- Community Access: Focuses more on helping participants engage with places, services, and activities in their local area (e.g., travelling to appointments, visiting community facilities, or learning to navigate public spaces).
Both areas aim to support independence, inclusion, and greater involvement in everyday life.
Who Is Eligible for Social and Community Participation?
Eligibility depends on whether a person meets the NDIS access requirements and has disability-related needs that affect their ability to participate independently.
To receive this funding, participants generally need to show that the support:
- Is directly related to their disability.
- Significantly impacts their daily life.
- Helps them work towards their specific NDIS goals.
- Represents value for money and meets the NDIS “reasonable and necessary” criteria.
Note: The exact type and amount of funding available vary from person to person based on individual circumstances, goals, functional capacity, and support requirements.
Where Does This Funding Sit in Your NDIS Plan?
This funding doesn’t just appear as one single line item. It is split across two different budgets within your plan, each serving a unique purpose:
| Support Budget | NDIS Category Name | What It Does | Real-World Example |
| Core Supports | Category 4: Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation | Supports you today. Every day, hands-on help to get you out and about right now. | A support worker drives you to a concert, sits with you at a gardening group, or helps you visit a friend. |
| Capacity Building | Category 9: Increased Social and Community Participation | Builds towards tomorrow. Focused on teaching you the skills to participate independently in the future. | A mentor helps you learn public transport routes or coaches you through joining a new social group until you feel confident doing it alone. |
Important: Funding from your Capacity Building budget generally cannot be swapped over to your Core budget, and vice versa. It is best to discuss both categories separately during your NDIS plan review.
What’s Actually Covered? (Real-World Examples)
Under Core Supports (Everyday Assistance)
Your funding can pay for a support worker to:
● Travel with you to a concert, sporting match, or community events
● Join you at a social group, book club, or hobby class
● Support you at a centre-based day program
● Assist you during a gardening group or community outing
● Help you attend personal development courses
● Accompany and support you on a holiday or at a holiday camp
● Accompany you to the local library, cinema, or shopping centre
● Help you join a sporting club or attend team training sessions
Under Capacity Building (Skill Development)
Your funding can be used for:
● Mentoring and peer-support programs
● Learning to use public transport independently
● Building confidence to attend appointments alone
- Trying a new hobby (like art, dance, or horse riding) to see if it is a good fit
● Camps or group programs that build friendships and social skills
● Managing big transitions, like moving from primary school to high school
What You Can’t Use This Funding For?
As a general rule, social and community participation funding covers the cost of the support required to access the activity, not the cost of the activity itself.
Typically, your funding cannot be used for:
- Membership fees, entry costs, or venue hire for clubs and recreational activities
- Class or course fees themselves (though a support worker attending with you is covered)
- Standard sporting equipment, uniforms, or footwear
- General gym memberships or standard fitness equipment
- Outside-school-hours care (including vacation care and school holiday programs)
- General recreational costs that are not directly related to your disability
Example: If you want to join a local pottery class, your NDIS funding covers a support worker to help you get there and settle in, but the class fee is usually on you.
How Is This Funding Priced?
Standard vs. Higher-Intensity Rates
Pricing shifts depending on the level of care required. If you have complex behavioural or medical support needs that call for specialised care during an activity, it is classed as higher-intensity support and billed at a higher rate.
Time and Day Variations
Hourly rates vary based on when the support occurs. Weekends, evenings, and public holidays carry higher hourly rates than standard weekday hours. Always check the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements or speak with your plan manager to review current rates.
Why Does Getting Involved in Your Community Matter?
Active social and community participation provides a wide range of long-term benefits, including:
- Reduced Isolation: Helps build meaningful relationships and minimises loneliness.
- Better Mental Health: Promotes regular social interaction and a true sense of belonging.
- Life Skill Development: Enhances communication, budgeting, and problem-solving skills.
- Boosted Confidence: Encourages trying new experiences in safe, real-world settings.
- Greater Independence: Teaches essential skills, such as navigating public spaces and transport.
- Personal Growth: Opens doors to volunteering, education, employment, or new hobbies.
- Choice and Control: Empowers you to participate actively in activities that matter to you.
How Do You Get This Support Included in Your NDIS Plan
To build a strong case for this funding during your NDIS meeting or review, keep these tips in mind:
1. Be Specific with Your Goals
Instead of saying “I want to feel less isolated,” try phrasing it as, “I want support to join a weekly art class so I can build friendships and community connections.” This gives your planner concrete details to work with.
2. Gather Evidence
Bring supporting documentation, such as letters from your GP, psychologist, or support coordinator, explaining why this specific support is necessary for your well-being.
3. Bring a Support Person
Don’t do it alone. Bring a family member, support coordinator, or independent advocate to your meeting to help ensure your needs are fully communicated.
4. Consult the Experts
Ask your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator to walk you through what qualifies as “reasonable and necessary” for your specific situation.
Access Personalised Disability Support with Cam Can
Whether you need a support worker to accompany you to a Saturday sports match, someone to help you build the confidence to catch public transport solo, or an NDIS plan that truly reflects your goals, having the right support team makes all the difference.
At Cam Can, we work alongside NDIS participants across Perth, WA, to turn plan goals into real, everyday outcomes. We match you with support workers who genuinely care and help you maximise every dollar in your budget.
Contact our friendly team today. We are here to help you build the connected, independent life you deserve.
