Having the freedom to take part in everyday activities, build confidence and feel included plays a big role in overall well-being.
Yet for people living with disability, practical barriers can make it harder to join in, try new things and spend time with others. To address this issue, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers Increased Social and Community Participation supports.
Whether you’d like to make new friends, pick up a new hobby or build independence, this funding is designed to help you engage in local activities that foster personal growth.
Here, we break down how this funding works, where it fits into your NDIS plan and how you can use it to achieve your goals.
What is Increased Social and Community Participation?
Increased Social and Community Participation is an NDIS support category that provides funding for people with a disability to interact and connect with others in a meaningful way.
To do this, it focuses on supporting participants to access social, recreational, and community activities regularly, whether it be joining a sports team, going to a music concert, developing a new skill, or volunteering at your local library.
Over time, NDIS community participation can help reduce isolation, strengthen independence and create genuine relationships. Ultimately, it’s about feeling included, valued and empowered to lead a more fulfilling life.
Why does social and community participation matter?
Social interaction and a sense of belonging are key to anyone’s mental well-being. However, for those living with a disability, social and community participation is particularly important.
Getting involved can help you feel more connected, confident and independent, no matter your ability. Let’s take a closer look at each benefit of this funding:
More confidence and independence
Being part of a community helps you build confidence in yourself and your abilities. Each experience, whether it’s going to a market or joining a class, is a move towards greater independence.
With the right support in place, you can feel more comfortable navigating transport, attending community events and trying new experiences.
In the long run, these small wins add up, making everyday life feel more manageable and empowering.
A greater sense of belonging
This participation plays a powerful role in reducing isolation. Many people with a disability experience loneliness, often due to physical, social or environmental barriers.
Being part of a group creates opportunities to connect with others, share interests and feel valued, in turn supporting mental health, emotional balance and overall well-being.
Stronger personal skills
Community participation builds practical and social skills without feeling like formal learning. From time management and budgeting to problem-solving and communication skills, these capabilities are important for daily living, employment and greater independence in a community setting.
NDIS-funded participation can also include capability-building programs and personal development courses, like public speaking, digital skills or volunteering. These experiences help you grow, contribute to your community and build self-belief.
Supportive friendships
Joining community activities creates natural opportunities to build meaningful, lasting friendships. As a result, you don’t have to navigate life alone.
These connections can become an important source of emotional support and stability over time, as sharing experiences with others fosters trust and a sense of belonging.
A bridge to broader goals
With the right support, community participation becomes a stepping stone to achieving wider personal goals. You may begin with supported social activities and later feel ready to pursue study, employment or volunteering as you build skills.
NDIS funding for Social and Community Participation
Social and community participation funding lives under Core Supports and Capacity Building Supports in your NDIS plan. Here’s how it works:
Core Supports
Core Supports – 04 Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation is used to help you attend activities and take part in community life.
This funding focuses on practical, hands-on support to help you participate in activities that align with your NDIS plan goals. It can be used to help you to:
- Attend community, social and recreational activities
- Work towards goals related to social participation
- Take part in one-on-one or group activities
Under this category, NDIS funding can also be used to engage a support worker to assist with social, community and employment-related activities.
Capacity Building Supports
Unlike Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports – 09 Increased Social and Community Participation Supports invest in skill development that encourages independent engagement.
Capacity Building funding can include workshops, mentoring, training programs or structured activities that help you feel more capable in social situations.
Examples of social and community activities
The social and community participation activities that can be funded in your NDIS plan depend on your needs and goals. That’s because this type of support can vary based on what will help you engage with your community in meaningful ways.
To give you a general idea of what may be covered, here are some common activities supported through Increased Social and Community Participation:
- Art class tuition fees: Painting, music, drama and craft classes allow for self-expression in group settings. These creative activities can be especially helpful for meeting like-minded people with similar interests in a relaxed space.
- Sports coaching and activities: Taking part in physical activities like swimming, walking groups or sporting clubs can support both physical and mental wellbeing, building connections and a healthy routine.
- Volunteering: Volunteering creates a sense of purpose and connection while building practical skills and work experience. It can also support pathways into paid employment or further training.
- Skill-building programs: Group programs, workshops, and one-to-one classes that focus on everyday skills, like cooking, budgeting, communication or basic computer skills, help NDIS participants gain confidence and autonomy. This skill development often supports broader goals, including employment and independent living.
- Social events: From structured outings to casual meetups, you can stay connected to your community and support social skills development.
It’s also important to understand that the NDIS does not usually pay for the cost of the activity itself. Instead, funding may cover:
- Supports that empower you to build capacity
- The development of the skills needed to engage independently over time
- Assistance from a disability support worker to help you attend and participate
For this funding to be approved, activities must be considered reasonable and necessary. This means they need to clearly link to your NDIS goals and support your health, wellbeing and independence.
What does this funding not cover?
While NDIS funding is designed to be flexible and personalised, there are clear limits on what it can be used for.
Under Section 10 of the NDIS Act, some everyday and recreational costs are not considered NDIS supports and cannot be paid for using your funding.
These include:
- Outside school hours care fees, including holidays
- Sports and recreational activities, like club memberships and uniforms
- Standard recreational equipment, such as toys, sports gear and other non-modified items
- General health, fitness or recreational services, including fitness classes and social groups that are not directly related to building disability-specific capacity or support needs
A helpful way to think about it is this: the NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports associated with living with a disability, not general living costs or activities that most people pay for themselves.
If you are ever unsure whether something is allowed, it’s worth checking before spending, as unapproved items may need to be paid back.
How to get Increased Social and Community Participation funding in your NDIS plan
Accessing this funding starts with understanding the process and clearly communicating your needs.
When a participant’s plan goals are well explained and linked to daily life, it’s much easier for the NDIS to include the right supports.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get this support approved.
1. Identify what you want to achieve
This may include making friends, building confidence in social settings, or learning new skills. Your goals should reflect your real needs and interests, as these objectives will help justify the supports funded and the amount required.
2. Discuss your aims with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
An NDIS plan manager or support coordinator can explain how your funding works, suggest suitable activities and connect you with providers that align with your vision.
During this meeting, you should highlight how social isolation or limited participation affects your life and why extra support would help. Your planner or LAC will then help shape your goals so they meet NDIS requirements.
3. Choose an NDIS-registered provider
Select an NDIS-registered provider with experience in social and community participation, like the friendly team at Hunter Care Group. The right provider will listen to your goals and support you to use your funding effectively, now and into the future.
4. Take part in funded activities
Finally, lodge your funding request via your NDIS planner. Once your plan is approved, you can begin participating in activities that support your goals. Your support team will help you get started and adjust supports if needed.
How to make the most of your Increased Social and Community Participation NDIS funding
When used thoughtfully, Increased Social and Community Participation funding can open doors to connection, confidence and independence. Making the most of it starts with being clear about what you want and choosing supports that genuinely fit your goals.
Get the most out of Increased Social and Community Participation assistance with these helpful tips:
Focus on what matters to you
Think about the activities that bring you joy or curiosity. This might be spending time with others, volunteering, joining a local group or even something as simple as going out for a coffee.
When your supports are based on your real interests, participation feels fun and fulfilling instead of forced.
Set clear goals
Your NDIS plan works best when your goals are specific and personal. Ask yourself what you want to gain from social and community participation.
This could be building friendships, learning new skills, feeling more confident in public or becoming more independent. Clear goals make it easier to choose activities that genuinely support your growth.
Use your support team wisely
Support coordinators and support workers can help you turn ideas into action. A good provider will take the time to understand your goals and help you explore options that suit your needs, interests and comfort level.
The right support can make participating feel safe, enjoyable and empowering, rather than overwhelming.
Explore opportunities close to home
Many local communities offer welcoming and low-pressure activities through neighbourhood centres, clubs and community organisations.
From gardening groups to art classes or social meetups, local options can be a great way to build connections while staying within familiar surroundings.
Try new things
Growth often happens when you step just beyond what feels comfortable. Trying something new does not mean committing forever.
It’s simply about exploring what is possible. You may discover a new interest, develop confidence or find a sense of belonging you did not expect.
FAQs
What is the difference between Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation and Increased Social and Community Participation?
The main difference comes down to timing and purpose. Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation sits under Core Supports and funds the help you need today, like a support worker to attend a community event or take part in a group activity.
Meanwhile, Increased Social and Community Participation sits under the Capacity Building budget instead, and it’s designed to build the skills that let you take part more independently down the line.
Who is eligible for this Increased Social and Community Participation funding?
To access Increased Social and Community Participation funding, you need a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in daily activities.
You also need to:
- Be an Australian citizen
- Hold permanent residency, or have a Protected Special Category Visa, and
- Be under 65 when you first apply for the NDIS
That said, meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee a set amount of funding. Your planner will still look at your individual goals to decide what’s reasonable and necessary for you.
How does this support help people with physical disabilities?
This funding helps people with physical disabilities join in community life by covering the support they need to get there and take part, not the cost of the activity itself.
That might mean a support worker helping you attend an accessible swimming session, get to and from a modified exercise class, or settle into a new social group with confidence.
Club fees and equipment aren’t included, but the assistance that makes attending possible is exactly what this category is built for.
How does this support help people with mental health conditions?
For people managing a psychosocial disability, this funding can support participation in activities that build connection and steady well-being over time, such as peer support groups or structured social outings.
A support worker can help you get to these sessions and feel comfortable once you’re there, which often matters just as much as the activity itself. Regular participation like this can ease isolation and build a sense of routine that supports recovery.
How does this support help people with intellectual disabilities?
People with intellectual disabilities can use this funding to take part in social clubs, hobby groups or skill-based classes suited to their goals and interests.
A cooking class is a good example: it teaches practical skills while also building teamwork and social confidence in a relaxed setting.
Support can be tailored closely to the person, whether that means one-on-one guidance to start or a gentle step into a group once they’re ready.
Where can this support be delivered?
This support can be delivered at home or out in the community, wherever it best suits your goals.
Some participants build skills gradually at home before stepping into community settings, while others prefer to start straight in a group or activity setting.
Your plan can reflect either approach, or a mix of both.
How can this support be delivered?
You can access this support one-on-one or as part of a group, depending on what helps you make the most progress.
One-on-one support suits people who want focused attention while building confidence in a new activity. Group settings, on the other hand, give you the chance to practise social skills alongside others working towards similar goals.
Build confidence and capabilities with social and community participation support in Newcastle
Social and community participation is about more than filling time. With suitable support, everyday moments can become opportunities to grow, build relationships and move closer to the life you want to live.
At Hunter Care Group, we take the time to truly understand you. Our team will work with you to transform your NDIS plan into practical and empowering support. From Support Coordination and Supported Independent Living to psychosocial recovery coaching, our approach is always guided by choice, dignity and your personal goals.
If you’re looking for reliable NDIS support in Newcastle and the Hunter region, we would love to help. Give our friendly team a call on (02) 4950 2269 or enquire online today.