NDIS Social & Community Participation Guide 2026

NDIS community participation funding helps you get out into the world, build relationships, and engage meaningfully with your community. Whether you are exploring ndis community participation for the first time or trying to get more from your existing plan, this guide covers everything from a weekly art class to a structured public transport training program, depending on which funding category your plan includes.

NDIS Community Participation

NDIS community participation is one of the most used and most valued parts of the scheme. It funds the support you need to take part in activities outside your home, from sports and arts to volunteering and social groups. The funding does not pay for the activities themselves; it pays for the support worker time, transport, and assistance that make participation possible.

This guide explains exactly how it works, the difference between Core and Capacity Building funding, current 2025-26 rates, 100+ activity examples, group versus individual pricing, and how to write goals that actually get approved at your planning meeting.

March 15, 2026 - The NDIS spent $11.6 billion on social and community participation in 2025, representing 23.6% of the total scheme budget of $48.9 billion, according to recent reports by ABC News and the Australian Financial Review.

This substantial expenditure has generated debate among policymakers, disability advocates, and budget analysts about scheme sustainability and the appropriate scope of funded activities.

Key figures from the reports:

Support workers can charge $70 per hour on weekdays, rising to $99 on Saturdays, $127 on Sundays, and up to $234 on public holidays
Funded activities include cafe visits, dog walks, haircuts, movies, and other community participation activities
The spending represents nearly a quarter of total NDIS expenditure
Questions are being raised about long-term funding sustainability and the balance between social participation and other support categories

What this means for participants: Social and community participation remains a core pillar of the NDIS framework, designed to support participants in building meaningful community connections and reducing social isolation. The debate focuses on scheme-level sustainability rather than individual participant entitlements. If you have social and community participation funding in your plan, it continues to operate as approved. However, participants should be prepared to clearly demonstrate how funded activities connect to their NDIS goals and disability-related support needs at plan reviews.

The information in this guide reflects current NDIS pricing and policy settings. We will update this article as any policy changes are announced.

Key Points

NDIS social and community participation sits across two separate budget categories: Core Supports (ongoing assistance) and Capacity Building (skill-building for independence). Understanding which one applies to you changes how you can use the funding.
The primary Core Support line item is 04_104_0125_6_1 at $70.23 per hour on weekdays (2025-26 rate, up 3.95% from the prior year).
Group-based activities cost significantly less per participant. A 1:3 group drops the per-person rate to around $27.50 per hour, stretching your budget considerably.
Innovative Community Participation (04_105) is a separate, lesser-known line item that funds specialised programs for participants who need more intensive or tailored support.
Transport to and from activities is covered under your community participation budget, not a separate line.
Annual funding ranges from approximately $5,000 to $35,000-plus depending on your assessed support needs and goals.

Assistance with Social and Community Participation is the official NDIS name for the Core Support funding that pays a support worker to help you take part in community activities. This is the category most participants use for their regular weekly outings, group programs, and social activities. It sits under Core Supports, meaning the funding is flexible and ongoing. If you see line items starting with 04_104 or 04_105 in your plan, that is this category.

Increased Social and Community Participation is the Capacity Building equivalent. Where the Core category funds ongoing support, this category funds structured, time-limited programs designed to build your skills so that you can participate more independently over time. Think of it as an investment: you complete a 10-week program learning to catch public transport, and afterward you need less funded support to get around. The main line items here start with 09_011 and 09_009. If your plan review is coming up and you want to work toward greater independence, ask your planner about including Increased Social and Community Participation funding.

Core vs Capacity Building Explained

This is the number one thing people get wrong about NDIS community participation funding, and it matters because the two categories work very differently.

Core Supports: Assistance Now

Core Supports funding pays for a support worker to accompany and assist you to participate in activities today. It is ongoing. There is no expectation that you will graduate out of it. If you need regular support to attend your weekly swimming group, Core Supports is what funds that worker’s time each week.

Budget category: Core Supports Flexibility: You can shift unspent Core budget between Core sub-categories (daily activities, transport, participation) Who it suits: Anyone who needs consistent, ongoing support to access community life

Capacity Building: Building Skills for the Future

Capacity Building funding under the “Increased Social and Community Participation” category pays for structured programs designed to build your skills so you can participate more independently over time. The funding is time-limited and goal-focused. It is not meant to fund ongoing support indefinitely.

Budget category: Capacity Building Flexibility: Must be used for the designated Capacity Building purpose Who it suits: Participants working toward greater independence in specific areas

A simple way to think about the difference:

Aspect	Core: Assistance	Capacity Building: Increased
Purpose	Support you to participate now	Build skills for future independence
Duration	Ongoing	Time-limited program
Budget flexibility	Flexible across Core	Must stay in Capacity Building
Example	Support worker accompanies you to art class each week	12-week program teaching you to catch public transport independently
Key line items	04_104, 04_105	09_011, 09_009

In practice, many participants have both categories in their plan. You might use Core funding for your regular weekly activities and Capacity Building funding for a structured course or training program running over several months.

Line Items and 2025-26 Rates

The NDIS increased prices by 3.95% from 1 July 2025. The rates below reflect the current 2025-26 price limits.

Line Item Code	Description	Weekday Rate	Saturday	Sunday / PH
04_104_0125_6_1	Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Standard)	$70.23/hr	$98.32/hr	$126.41/hr
04_105_0125_6_1	Assistance with Social and Community Participation (High Intensity)	$77.73/hr	$108.82/hr	$139.91/hr
04_102_0125_6_1	Group Activities (1:2 ratio, per participant)	$39.87/hr	$55.82/hr	$71.77/hr
04_103_0125_6_1	Group Activities (1:3 ratio, per participant)	$28.79/hr	$40.31/hr	$51.83/hr
04_104_0125_6_1	Group Activities (1:4 ratio, per participant)	varies	varies	varies

For a complete and up-to-date list, use the NDIS Price Guide tool or check the NDIS Pricing Arrangements page directly.

Line Item Code	Description	Purpose
09_011_0117_6_3	Development of Skills for Community Participation	Skill building for independent community access
09_009_0117_6_3	Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities	Structured programs for social skill development

Capacity Building line items do not have hourly price limits published in the same way as Core Supports. Rates are negotiated between you and your provider based on the program structure.

Group vs Individual Support

One of the most effective ways to stretch your community participation budget is choosing group-based activities where appropriate. The savings are substantial.

Support Type	Ratio	Per Person Rate (Weekday)	4-Hour Session Cost
Individual (1:1)	Just you	$70.23/hr	$280.92
Group	1:2	$39.87/hr	$159.48
Group	1:3	$28.79/hr	$115.16
Group	1:4	Lower still	Lower still

A 1:3 group saves approximately $165 per four-hour session compared with 1:1 support. Over 48 weeks of weekly sessions, that is around $7,920 in savings, which could fund many additional hours elsewhere in your plan.

Group activities also have social benefits beyond the cost savings. You are practising social skills, building relationships with peers, and participating in a more natural community setting. Many participants find that group activities are more enjoyable and more closely mirror the experience of community life without a disability.

When 1:1 support is appropriate:

You are new to community activities and building initial confidence
You have high support needs or safety requirements that a shared worker cannot meet
You are working toward a very specific individual goal
You are in an early skill-building phase before transitioning to group support

Many participants start with 1:1 support, then transition to group activities as skills and confidence grow.

Innovative Community Participation

Innovative Community Participation is a less commonly used but highly valuable part of the NDIS framework. It sits under the Core Supports category and is intended for participants who need a more specialised or intensive approach to community participation than standard support provides.

The relevant line item is 04_105_0125_6_1, which covers high-intensity assistance. In practice, providers offering Innovative Community Participation programs use this code to deliver structured programs that:

Address specific barriers to community access that standard support cannot resolve
Combine skill development with peer connection in a more intensive format
Use specialised methodologies for participants with complex communication needs, dual diagnosis, or significant social anxiety
Provide supported access to employment-adjacent community settings (volunteer work, community enterprise programs)

Typical examples of Innovative Community Participation programs:

Supported social enterprise programs where participants produce goods or services for the community (market stalls, community cafes, woodworking cooperatives)
Peer mentoring programs pairing participants with volunteers for structured community access
Technology-assisted community access programs using communication devices, apps, or supported virtual participation
Nature-based therapy programs combining outdoor activities with structured skill development
Co-designed arts programs that culminate in a community exhibition or performance

Innovative Community Participation is not available from all providers. If this sounds like something that would suit you, ask your Support Coordinator to identify providers offering structured programs under this line item. The NDIS social and community participation service page has more information about what local providers offer.

100+ Activity Examples

NDIS community participation funding can support a wide range of activities. Below are examples organised by category. Your support worker’s time to help you attend and participate is funded, including transport. Entry fees, membership costs, food, and equipment are your everyday costs to pay yourself.

Sports and Recreation

Activity Type	Examples
Team sports	Wheelchair basketball, adaptive soccer, blind cricket, bocce, goalball
Individual sports	Swimming lessons, adaptive yoga, gym sessions, tennis, archery
Outdoor activities	Bushwalking groups, adaptive surfing, cycling clubs, kayaking, rock climbing
Fitness programs	Group exercise classes, aqua aerobics, personal training sessions, Pilates
Winter activities	Skiing programs, ice skating, indoor climbing walls

Arts and Culture

Activity Type	Examples
Visual arts	Painting classes, pottery workshops, photography clubs, printmaking, sculpture
Performing arts	Drama groups, choir, dance classes, improvisation workshops, storytelling groups
Cultural events	Museum visits, art gallery tours, concerts, festivals, film screenings
Music	Music lessons, drumming circles, band participation, recording studio programs
Crafts	Jewellery making, weaving, leatherwork, mosaic, glass fusing

Learning and Development

Activity Type	Examples
Educational courses	TAFE courses, digital literacy workshops, language classes, financial literacy
Life skills	Cooking classes, budgeting workshops, barista training, first aid courses
Personal development	Public speaking courses, leadership programs, assertiveness training
Technology	Coding bootcamps for beginners, tablet and smartphone skills, social media literacy

Activity Type	Examples
Hobby groups	Book clubs, gaming groups, craft circles, film clubs, trivia nights
Support and advocacy	Peer support meetings, self-advocacy groups, disability pride events
Interest groups	Gardening clubs, bird watching, astronomy groups, train enthusiast societies
Cultural groups	Multicultural community groups, cultural celebration events, language exchange

Volunteering and Civic Life

Activity Type	Examples
Volunteering	Charity work, animal shelters, community gardens, food banks, Meals on Wheels
Civic participation	Town hall meetings, community forums, local government consultation sessions
Religious and spiritual	Church, temple, mosque, synagogue attendance, spiritual study groups
Environmental	Tree planting, beach cleanups, community composting programs

Camps and Group Programs

Activity Type	Examples
Day programs	Adventure activities, sports camps, art days, social skill programs
Residential camps	Multi-day outdoor camps, leadership programs, peer connection retreats
Holiday programs	School holiday activities, summer programs, themed interest camps

For Children and Teens

Adaptive swimming lessons with skill development focus
Scouts or Guides groups with support
School holiday programs focused on social skills
Youth theatre or drama workshops
Team sports with adaptive equipment
Art therapy groups for self-expression
Music lessons (individual or group)
LEGO clubs for creative problem-solving
Cooking classes for kids
Gaming clubs with social interaction focus
Coding and robotics clubs
Junior parkour with adaptive modifications
Skateboarding groups
Junior community radio programs
Science camps and STEM activity days

For Young Adults

University or TAFE social clubs with support
Fitness classes (yoga, Pilates, dance fitness)
Volunteering at animal shelters
Environmental groups (tree planting, beach cleanups)
Photography clubs and photo walks
Escape rooms with friends
Board game cafes and meetups
Indoor rock climbing with support
Martial arts or self-defence classes
Social sports leagues (dodgeball, ultimate frisbee)
Community radio and podcast groups
Barista training and cafe programs
Art jamming sessions
Hiking groups on accessible trails
Community theatre productions

For Adults

Community garden participation and allotment programs
Book clubs at local libraries
Cooking and baking classes
Hiking groups with accessible trail options
Meditation and mindfulness groups
Volunteer tutoring or mentoring programs
Community choir or a cappella groups
Dance classes (line dancing, ballroom, contemporary)
Men’s sheds and women’s groups
Creative writing workshops
Film appreciation clubs
Community radio volunteering
Social enterprise programs
Debate or discussion groups
Language learning conversation groups

For Seniors

Seniors social groups at community centres
Lawn bowls clubs with assistance
Tai chi or gentle exercise classes
Historical societies and local history groups
Art appreciation and gallery tours
Bridge or card game groups
Gentle aqua aerobics
Craft groups (knitting, quilting, woodworking)
Bingo nights with social interaction
Morning tea social groups
Gentle yoga sessions
Reminiscence and oral history groups
Gentle gardening programs
Walking groups on flat accessible paths
Music appreciation and concert attendance

For All Ages

Chess clubs
Astronomy groups and stargazing nights
Birdwatching societies
Model building clubs
Fishing groups
Geocaching adventures
Community theatre (behind the scenes or performing)
Language learning classes
Multicultural festivals and cultural celebrations
Trivia nights at community venues
Sewing and textile groups
Cooking cultural cuisines workshops
Community mosaic or mural projects
Drumming circles
Yoga in the park programs

Cost-saving tip: If you hold a Companion Card, many venues and activities will admit your support worker free of charge. This does not affect your NDIS funding but reduces out-of-pocket costs for entry fees and tickets. Check the Companion Card program in your state for participating venues.

Getting Funded: Goal-Setting Tips

Your NDIS plan needs clear, evidence-based goals to justify community participation funding. Planners and LACs look for goals that are specific, relevant to your disability, and connected to a meaningful outcome. Vague goals lead to underfunded plans.

What Makes a Strong Community Participation Goal

Element	Weak Version	Strong Version
Specific	”Get out more"	"Attend a weekly art class at my local community centre”
Measurable	”Meet people"	"Attend 2 social events per month for 6 months”
Achievable	”Join 10 clubs"	"Join 1 club and attend consistently”
Relevant	Any activity	Activity linked to your interests and disability-related barriers
Time-bound	”Eventually"	"For the next 12 months, reviewed at my next plan meeting”

Example Goals Ready to Use

Goal 1: Building Social Connections “I want to join a local book club and attend at least 8 meetings over the next 6 months. This will help me develop friendships, reduce social isolation, and build my confidence in group settings. I need support worker assistance to travel to the venue and help me participate in discussion.”

Goal 2: Developing Independence “I want to complete a 12-week cooking class at the local community centre, learning to prepare 10 different meals independently. This will build my confidence and practical skills for living more independently.”

Goal 3: Community Engagement “I want to volunteer at the local animal shelter for 2 hours each week for 12 months, building work skills, community connections, and a sense of contribution. I need transport and on-site support to manage the physical aspects of the role.”

Goal 4: Physical Health and Social Connection “I want to join a weekly adaptive sports program and participate in at least 40 sessions over the year to improve my physical fitness and build friendships with other participants.”

Goal 5: Increasing Independence in Community Access “I want to complete a structured public transport training program over 10 weeks so I can travel independently to my weekly social group without support worker assistance. This will reduce my reliance on funded transport and expand my community access.”

How Much Funding Can You Expect?

There is no fixed cap on community participation funding. Your allocation depends on your assessed support needs and the goals in your plan. Typical annual ranges are:

Support Level	Annual Range	Approximate Hours Per Week
Low support needs	$5,000 to $10,000	2 to 4 hours
Moderate support needs	$10,000 to $20,000	4 to 6 hours
High support needs	$20,000 to $35,000-plus	6 to 10-plus hours

To build a case for your planning meeting, calculate what you actually need. For example: a weekly activity requiring 3 hours of support (including transport) at $70.23 per hour works out to $210.69 per week, or approximately $10,113 annually. Bring a written breakdown like this to your meeting, supported by a letter from your GP, therapist, or allied health professional confirming the therapeutic benefit.

For further goal-setting guidance, the NDIS SMART goals planning guide has detailed examples across all support categories.

What Is NOT Covered

Understanding what the NDIS does not fund is just as important as knowing what it does.

Everyday Costs You Pay Yourself

Cost	Why It Is Not Funded
Entry fees and tickets	Everyday cost that everyone pays
Gym memberships	Standard community cost not related to disability
Meal and drink costs during activities	Everyday living expense
Standard sports equipment and instruments	Not disability-specific
Course and class registration fees	Educational cost
Accommodation for holidays	General living expense
Flights and transport for holidays	General living expense

Activities That Are Unlikely to Be Approved

Activities with no clear connection to your NDIS goals
Pure leisure or entertainment with no skill-building or participation element
Activities that could be funded through mainstream services (school, Medicare, aged care)
Business travel or commercial training

What This Means in Practice

Example: You want to join a weekly art class.

NDIS funds: Support worker time to help you travel there and participate during the class.
You pay: Class registration fee and art supplies.

Example: You want to attend a concert.

NDIS funds: Support worker to accompany you and provide assistance during the event.
You pay: Concert ticket, food, and drinks.

Example: You want to go on a holiday with a support worker.

NDIS funds: Support worker hours during the holiday.
You pay: Flights, accommodation, meals, and attraction entry fees.

2026 NDIS Framework Changes

From 1 July 2026, the NDIS will begin transitioning participants to new framework plans. The key changes relevant to community participation:

Two-type funding structure: The current three buckets (Core, Capacity Building, Capital) transition to flexible funding and stated funding. Flexible funding can be used across any NDIS-approved supports. This may increase your ability to direct community participation funds without strict category boundaries, though the practical implementation details are still being finalised.

Assessment-driven plans: Support needs assessments using the I-CAN v6 tool will play a larger role in determining plan budgets. Clear, documented goals around community participation will matter more than ever at your planning meeting.

Longer plan periods: Extended plan durations reduce the frequency of reviews, meaning the goals you set at your next meeting may shape your funding for longer.

Participants will transition gradually. Most people will not experience changes immediately on 1 July 2026. Check the NDIS website for the latest updates as the rollout progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Core Support) funds a support worker to help you participate in activities now. Increased Social and Community Participation (Capacity Building) funds structured programs to build skills so you can participate more independently in the future. Core is ongoing; Capacity Building is time-limited and skill-focused. Most participants with regular community participation needs use Core Support for day-to-day activities.

The main Core Support line item is 04_104_0125_6_1 (Assistance with Social and Community Participation, Standard). The rate is $70.23 per hour on weekdays in 2025-26. For group activities, the per-participant rate is lower depending on the group ratio. For Capacity Building, the main code is 09_011_0117_6_3 (Development of Skills for Community Participation).

Can I use NDIS funding for a gym membership?

No. The gym membership fee is an everyday cost. However, you can use funding for a support worker to assist you at the gym if attending the gym is part of your NDIS goals and you need support to participate safely and meaningfully.

Is transport to activities covered?

Yes. Transport to and from activities is covered under your community participation budget. Your support worker can drive you (using their vehicle or yours), or you can use taxi or rideshare services. Keep receipts for any transport costs claimed.

How does group activity pricing work?

When a support worker assists multiple participants in a group, the hourly cost is split among participants. At a 1:3 ratio, each participant pays approximately $28.79 per hour instead of the full $70.23. This is a significant saving and is the most cost-effective way to participate in regular activities. Group activities also provide built-in social opportunities.

What is Innovative Community Participation?

Innovative Community Participation refers to structured, specialised programs delivered under the high-intensity Core Support line item (04_105_0125_6_1). These programs go beyond standard support to address specific barriers through tailored methodologies, such as social enterprise programs, nature-based therapy, or technology-assisted community access. Not all providers offer these programs. Ask your Support Coordinator if this approach suits your needs.

Can I use community participation funding for holidays?

Your support worker’s hours during a holiday can be funded if the activities align with your NDIS goals. The holiday costs themselves (accommodation, transport, entry fees, meals) are everyday expenses and are not covered. Keep detailed records of which hours were support-related to avoid issues at plan reviews.

What if there are no suitable activities in my area?

Speak with your Support Coordinator about online or virtual social groups, transport funding to access activities in a nearby town or suburb, provider-organised community programs, or the possibility of setting up a new group. Rural and remote participants may receive additional transport funding to account for greater distances. The NDIS core supports overview has more detail on transport line items.

Do I need a Support Coordinator to access community participation?

No, but a Support Coordinator can help significantly. They know local providers, community programs, and how to write goals that result in adequate funding. If you are self-managing or plan-managing, you can arrange your own activities and support workers without a coordinator, but you take on the administrative responsibility.

How do I write goals that get community participation funding approved?

Be specific about what you want to do, why it connects to your disability, how it builds your independence or wellbeing, and what support you need to make it happen. Bring a written activity plan with cost calculations to your planning meeting. Back it up with supporting letters from your GP, occupational therapist, or allied health professional. The NDIS SMART goals guide has detailed templates you can adapt.

Can children get community participation funding?

Yes. Children and young people can have social and community participation funding in their NDIS plans. Activities such as adaptive sports, school holiday programs, youth theatre, and social skills groups are all possible. Goals for children typically focus on skill development, peer connection, and community inclusion.

What is the Companion Card and how does it help?

The Companion Card is a state-run program that entitles eligible people with disability to a free ticket for their companion (including their support worker) at participating venues. It does not interact with your NDIS funding directly, but it reduces your out-of-pocket entry costs. Search for your state’s Companion Card program to apply.

Key Resources

NDIS: Social and Community Participation - Official NDIS guidance on what is funded
NDIS Pricing Arrangements - Official price limits updated annually
NDIS Price Guide Tool - Searchable line item database
NDIS Core Supports Overview - How Core Supports work across all categories
NDIS SMART Goals Guide - Writing goals that get funded
Assistance with Daily Life Guide - The related Core Support category

Next Steps

Social and community participation is one of the most personally meaningful parts of an NDIS plan. It is the funding that gets you out the door, into your community, and connected with people who share your interests.

The key to maximising this funding is understanding the two budget categories (Core and Capacity Building), choosing group activities where your needs allow, writing specific and measurable goals before your planning meeting, and keeping records of how the funding is building your independence and wellbeing over time.

If you are in Melbourne and looking for experienced support workers who can help you access activities in your area, the MD Home Care community participation service connects participants with workers who have local knowledge, flexible scheduling, and a genuine focus on helping you build the community life you want.

Contact MD Home Care for a free consultation about your community participation goals.