A guide to increased social and community participation

Social and community participation is about connecting with others, building skills, and taking part in the activities that make life feel full. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds this kind of support, but the rules around it are changing. In August 2026, Parliament passed reforms that will reduce these budgets from October 2026.

This guide covers what Increased Social and Community Participation funding is, what it covers, and what the 2026 changes mean for your plan.

In this guide, we'll cover:

• What social and community participation means
• What NDIS Increased Social and Community Participation is
• The 2026 funding changes and what they mean for your plan
• The difference between Capacity Building and Core Supports
• What this funding covers, and what it doesn't
• How to access this funding

What is social and community participation?

Social and community participation means connecting with people who share your interests and taking part in activities you enjoy. It could be joining a local sports team, taking a pottery class, going on a bushwalk with a support worker, or simply catching up with friends at a cafe.

What it looks like is different for everyone. The point is choice: you decide which activities matter to you, and your NDIS plan can help fund the support you need to take part.

What is NDIS Increased Social & Community Participation?

Increased Social and Community Participation is an NDIS support category that helps people with disability take part in activities beyond their day-to-day essential needs, things like joining a class, going on a supported holiday, or learning a new skill. The goal is to build independence, confidence, and connection to community.

It sits alongside a related but separate support: Assistance with Social and Community Participation, which is funded under Core Supports and covers the hands-on help you need to attend an activity right now (see the difference explained below).

Important: NDIS funding changes from October 2026

On 19 August 2026, Parliament passed the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026, which received Royal Assent the following day. The Act includes a significant change for this support category.

Here's what's changing and what isn't:

• Budget allocations for social, civic and community participation supports will be reduced by 50 percent. In the legislation, this category is referred to as "assistance with social, economic and community participation."
• The reduction will phase in progressively from 1 October 2026, applied as individual plans are reassessed or renewed, rather than to every participant on the same day.
• If your plan isn't due for reassessment before October 2026, your current funding stays as is until that review happens.
• Existing plans and supports continue as normal in the meantime. The NDIA has said participants can keep using their current plans while the changes roll out.
• Capacity Building daily activity budgets (referred to as "improved daily living skills") are also being reduced, by 10 percent.

Because the reduction is applied plan by plan and further operational detail is still being worked through, the exact impact on your budget will depend on your circumstances and reassessment date. For the most current, plan-specific detail, the NDIS reform timeline and your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator are the best sources of truth.

If you're heading into a plan reassessment, it's worth talking to your Support Coordinator now about how to document your goals clearly, since well-evidenced plans tend to fare better through this kind of review.

The difference between Capacity Building and Core Support

There are two types of support budgets that can fund community participation, and the distinction matters more than ever under the new rules.

Core Supports cover the ongoing, hands-on help you need to participate right now. If you need a support worker to accompany you to an activity, this comes from your Core Support budget, under the line item Assistance with Social and Community Participation.

Capacity Building funds the program, course, or structured activity itself, things like tuition, class fees, or a skills-based group program, aimed at building your independence over time. This is where Increased Social and Community Participation sits.

In practice, many participants use both: Core funding for the person who helps them attend, and Capacity Building funding for the class or course that teaches the skill.

What does Increased Social and Community Participation funding cover?

You can use this funding to learn a new skill, try a new hobby, or volunteer for a cause you care about. Common examples include:

• Camping or holiday trips with support
• Lessons in a new skill, such as horse riding, pottery, or a musical instrument
• Life skills training, like using public transport or managing money
• Social or communication skills programs
• Membership fees to join a new sports team
• Structured volunteering arrangements

The activity needs to be "reasonable and necessary" and tied to the goals in your NDIS plan. That means it should genuinely support your wellbeing and the outcomes your plan is working toward.

What does this funding not cover?

Capacity Building funding pays for skill-building, not everything around it. For example, it might cover a term of basketball coaching, but not the uniform.

Other things it typically won't cover:

• Medical or healthcare costs unrelated to disability support
• Everyday living costs like rent, utilities, or groceries
• Personal items like toiletries or clothing
• Equipment or technology not directly tied to disability support
• Leisure activities that don't build a skill connected to community participation
• Transport costs not directly related to disability support

Some of these costs may be covered elsewhere. The Companion Card program, for instance, offers free or discounted entry for a support companion at participating venues, which can make outings more affordable even where NDIS funding doesn't stretch that far.

How to access this funding

Talk to your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator, or the NDIS about whether Increased Social and Community Participation funding fits your goals. They can help confirm the supports you want are reasonable, necessary, and aligned with your plan.

Two things worth keeping in mind, especially with the October 2026 changes ahead:

• Capacity Building funding is generally less flexible than Core Supports. It's often tied to a specific provider, program, or measurable outcome.
• If your plan is coming up for reassessment, ask your Support Coordinator how to document your goals and support needs clearly. Clear evidence of how an activity builds your independence matters more under the new framework.

Increase your social and community participation with Like Family

Like Family specialises in social and community participation, which is why we call our support workers Social Carers.

Increased Social and Community Participation is one of five NDIS support categories you can use to access our services. Our Social Carers help with building skills, getting out and about, preparing meals, and supporting your overall health and wellbeing.

With budgets tightening from October 2026, making the most out of your funding matters more than ever. We keep our rates below the NDIS price limit, so your funding goes further and covers more hours doing the things you love.

If you'd like to understand how these changes might affect your plan, or how to make the most of your current funding, reach out to our team at hello@likefamily.com.au or join Like Family today.

Frequently asked questions