Here at Leap in! we’re often asked about what each budget category can be used for and how the rules apply in everyday life.
Today, we’re taking a fresh look at Assistance with Social and Community Participation so you can spend your NDIS funds with confidence.
If you’d like a little refresher on the three budget categories – Core, Capital and Capacity Building supports – check out NDIS Plan budget categories explained.
What is Assistance with Social and Community Participation?
Assistance with Social and Community Participation is an NDIS Core supports budget. It’s designed to help you take part in activities that build skills, independence and connection with others.
You can use this funding to improve your ability to participate in community, social and recreational activities. The support category is now officially known as Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation which also includes support for economic activities like volunteering or work experience.
Activities can take place in the community, in a centre or other locations like sporting venues.
How the NDIS supports social and community participation.
Being active and connected in your community has many benefits. This funding can help break down barriers that might otherwise prevent you from taking part.
Supports may include a worker supporting you at home or in the community. To be funded under your NDIS Plan, the support must be related to your disability and meet the NDIS ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria.
Assistance with social and community participation NDIS examples.
Social and Community Participation usually covers the costs associated with getting to and participating in activities rather than the costs of the activities themselves.
The NDIS may fund a support worker to assist you to with activities like:
- Joining a sporting club or team
- Attending art, music or drama classes
- Learning to cook, garden or explore hobbies
- Participate in social groups
- Volunteering with a local organisation
- Going to community events
- Visiting your local library or other community facilities
- Developing skills to use public transport safety
- Building new interests and skills
- Attending camps or classes.
What is not covered?
This is where Social and Community Participation funding can get a little tricky. You can’t generally use your NDIS funding to pay for the cost of coaching, course fees or class fees..
The NDIS will not fund:
- Costs such as movie tickets, gym memberships or event entry fees
- Day-to-day living expenses not related to your disability
- Ticket or entry fees for your support worker
- Meals, coffee or other food while you are at an activity
- Equipment (unless it’s specialised and related to your disability)
- Items that are not listed as an NDIS support
- Duplicates of other funded supports.
Example: What you can pay for with Social and Community Participation funding.
If you want to learn woodwork at the local community centre, you may be able to use your Social and Community Participation funding to pay for a support worker to:
- Transport you to and from the class
- Attend with you
- Help you get the most out of the class such as providing Auslan interpreting, communication support or help with tasks
- Assist with personal care while you’re out.
The worker’s time can be claimed at the agreed hourly rate for both transport time and support during the activity.
You would have to pay for the community centre membership, classes and any associated equipment yourself.
Core supports versus Capacity Building supports funding.
There are two types of community participation funding that can be included in your NDIS Plan.
- Core supports – Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation: Used for a support worker to help you take part in social, economic and community activities.
- Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation: Used to build independence and skills to help you access the community. This might include mentoring, peer support, training in public transport use or trying new activities aligned with your goals.
Leap in! can help you.
Assistance with Social and Community Participation is about more than activities – it’s about connection, inclusion and building the life you want.
At Leap in! we help Members understand what’s possible under the NDIS and make the most of their funding. To sign up for plan management, call 1300 05 78 78 or chat with us online via our website.
Initially published 14 March 2019, updated 8 October 2020, 26 April 2022 and 31 March 2026.
