Understanding what “Social and Community Participation” means in your NDIS Plan can make a big difference when you are deciding how to use your funding and how to shape your goals.

Social and Community Participation funding can appear in two main parts of your NDIS Plan: Core Supports and Capacity Building Supports. Each plays a different role in helping you take part in everyday life, build skills, and connect with your community.

Core Supports

Assistance with Social and Community Participation

Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Support Category 4) is a funded support category that may appear in your NDIS Plan under Core Supports.

The provision of this support is outlined in the 2022/23 Support Catalogue.

This type of funding covers the support NDIS participants need to meet goals related to taking part in community, social, or recreational activities. These activities can take place in a centre-based setting or out in the community.

All supports funded under this category must be considered reasonable and necessary in relation to the participant’s plan goals.

For example, this funding could be used to pay for a Disability Support Worker to help you travel to and attend a music concert.

It can also be used for support with centre-based or community-based activities, such as attending a gardening group, at either standard or higher intensity rates, depending on your needs.

What This Funding Can Support

Under Assistance with Social and Community Participation, the NDIS may fund a support worker to help you:

  • Attend personal development courses

  • Join a social group

  • Go on an outing or a holiday

  • Attend a holiday camp

  • Visit your local library

  • See a movie or a concert

  • Go to community events

  • Join a sporting club

Support Worker Rates

In the latest NDIS Price List (Support Catalogue), the rate paid for a support worker can vary based on:

  • The day of the week

  • The time of day

  • The intensity of support required

  • The ratio of support workers to participants

If you are self-managed, you may be able to negotiate the rate you pay your support worker.

Group Activities

When support is provided to help a participant engage in community, social, or recreational activities as part of a group, the rates depend on the staff-to-participant ratio.

If a participant has challenging behaviours or high medical support needs that require additional assistance, this is classified as higher intensity support, and the cost reflects that increased level of care.

Providers of group-based supports are not permitted to bill for non-face-to-face services. This includes activities such as writing reports, making phone calls, sending emails, conducting research, or staff training. The hourly price limits for these supports already include an allowance for these indirect costs.

Capacity Building Supports

Increased Social and Community Participation

Increased Social and Community Participation (Support Category 9) is a funded support category that may appear in your NDIS Plan under Capacity Building Supports.

The provision of these supports is also outlined in the 2022/23 Support Catalogue.

This category focuses on building skills, confidence, and independence, rather than just providing assistance to attend activities.

What This Funding Can Be Used For

This funding can be used to pay for:

  • Tuition fees

  • Art classes

  • Sports coaching

  • Activities that build skills and independence

It can also be used for:

  • Camps, classes, and vacation programs with a capacity-building focus

  • Support to establish volunteer roles in the community

  • Mentoring or peer support programs

  • Individual skill development

All supports funded under this category must be considered reasonable and necessary in relation to your NDIS goals.

Examples of Funded Supports

The NDIS provides examples of what may be funded under this category, including:

  • Universal recreational activities. A limited number of lessons may be funded to allow a participant to try an activity and see if it is something they would like to pursue. Examples include horse riding, art classes, dance, or singing lessons.

  • Camps or group programs that build relationship skills and provide opportunities to explore new interests and activities.

  • Customised tools or equipment needed because of a person’s disability. For example, an adapted golf club to participate in all-abilities golf, or an adapted glove to help grip drumsticks in a drumming class.

Final Note

This article was created by our friends at MyCareSpace and has been reproduced with their consent.

All NDIS-funded supports must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria set by the NDIS. Some social and community supports may also be available outside of the NDIS system, depending on your location and circumstances.

Understanding the difference between Core and Capacity Building funding can help you make informed choices, set clearer goals, and get the most out of your NDIS Plan when it comes to connecting with your community and building a fulfilling, active life.