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

Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disability? Becoming a disability support worker with a NDIS Registered Provider such as Like Family is a rewarding  career path, and one of the first steps is getting your NDIS Worker Screening Check sorted.

A crucial step for anyone seeking to work in this sector is obtaining an NDIS Worker Screening Check (also known as an NDIS Screening Check or NDIS Workers Check). This national assessment exists to protect the safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants.

Registered NDIS providers are legally required to engage only support workers who have been cleared for specific "risk-assessed" roles. Securing your check broadens your work prospects and shows participants and providers alike that you're serious about providing safe, trustworthy support.

2026 is a big year for the check. The first clearances issued when the national system launched in February 2021 are now reaching their five-year expiry, and mandatory NDIS registration is expanding to cover more provider types from 1 July 2026. If you already hold a check, or you're applying for the first time, this guide walks you through what's changed and what to expect in every state and territory.

What is an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The NDIS Worker Screening Check, which commenced in February 2021, sets a consistent national standard for all support workers across Australia engaged in risk-assessed roles.

Each state and territory operates its own Worker Screening Unit. These units process applications and carry out risk assessments to determine whether an applicant is cleared or excluded from a specific role.

As part of this process, screening units review an applicant's:

• Criminal history
• Workplace misconduct
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)
• Past employment
• Juvenile offences
• Any other information that may indicate a potential risk to people with disability

This makes the check more thorough than a standard Police Check, and it comes with ongoing monitoring. If new information emerges about a worker during their five-year clearance period, such as a criminal charge, the screening unit is notified and can review the clearance immediately, rather than waiting for renewal.

Once cleared, your NDIS Worker Screening Check is generally valid for five years and is recognised across all Australian states and territories, unless it's surrendered or revoked.

The 2026 renewal wave: what you need to know

Because the national scheme began in February 2021, the very first clearances issued started expiring from 1 February 2026, and this renewal wave continues through 2026 and 2027. If your check was issued in the early days of the scheme, your renewal window may already be open.

A few things worth knowing if you're due:

• You can renew up to 90 days before your clearance expires. It's worth getting ahead of it rather than waiting for the deadline.
• There's no grace period. If your clearance lapses, you must stop performing risk-assessed work immediately until a new clearance comes through.
• The renewal process mirrors the original application. Same documents, same fee structure, same risk assessment, just resubmitted through your state's Worker Screening Unit.
• Screening units are sending reminders, typically by email or SMS, in the months leading up to expiry. Keep your contact details up to date in your MyServiceNSW account (or your state's equivalent) so you don't miss them.

If you're unsure when your check expires, you can check your status directly through your state portal, covered below.

Who needs an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

An NDIS Worker Screening Check is mandatory if you work or volunteer for an NDIS provider in a risk-assessed role. This includes anyone who is:

• Directly involved in delivering specific supports or services to people with disability.
• Likely to have "more than incidental contact" with people with disability. This covers regular interaction, whether in person, over the phone, or online, as well as building rapport with participants as part of your role, or working with multiple participants while providing direct support.
• Considered "key personnel" within a company, such as a CEO or Board Member.

From 1 July 2026, mandatory NDIS registration expanded to cover more provider categories, including Supported Independent Living providers. In practice, this means more workers who previously sat outside the screening requirement will now need a check as their organisation moves into registration. If you're unsure whether your role counts, it's worth confirming with your provider rather than assuming.

How can I apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The application process differs by state or territory. Here's a breakdown of the requirements and costs for the states Like Family operates in. Fees are reviewed periodically by each jurisdiction, so always confirm the current amount on the official portal before you apply.

What information do I need for my NDIS Worker Screening Check application?

When you apply for your NDIS Worker Screening Check, you'll be asked for your employer's details. If you want to become a Like Family support worker, you can list us as an employer using the details below.

Keep in mind that you're an independent contractor, so any other checks you apply for won't be attached to Like Family.

• Our NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission number: 4-3LLK-349
• Our name: Home Care Heroes Pty Ltd trading as Like Family
• Address: Please enter your residential address, as you're an independent contractor

You'll also need certain documentation to prove your identity, which varies by state or territory as detailed above.

I've applied. What happens next?

Standard applications with no complications generally clear within 2 to 4 weeks, though applications needing further investigation can take longer. It's worth applying at least 6 to 8 weeks before you need to start work, particularly during peak periods.

If you're cleared, you'll be notified via email and/or mail. You'll then be able to start supporting NDIS participants, unless you have other requirements to fulfil, like the NDIS Worker Orientation Module training.

Your outcome is recorded in the national NDIS Worker Screening Database. You won't need to upload your check anywhere. You can simply provide your NDIS Worker Screening ID to places where you are looking for work or future employers, who can confirm the current status of your check in the database.

Become a support worker with Like Family

Like Family is a proud NDIS provider helping Australians with disability access quality social and community support.

We have a network of over 3,200 Support Workers, who we call Social Carers, helping Members increase their independence, participate in the community, and enjoy life to the fullest.

We believe in creating meaningful, long-lasting connections. That's why we're dedicated to matching Social Carers with the right Member based on age, location, support experience, interests, and much more.

If you're interested in becoming a Social Carer with us, sign up below.

Frequently asked questions

Now that you're a support worker (Social Carer), you may be wondering how and when you get paid. Are you paid to travel to and from your shift? Who pays for transport and additional expenses during the Activity? How do you receive your first payment?

In this article, you'll find answers to these questions and more.

To kick things off...how do I get paid?

In order to be paid for your time, you will need to hit complete on your bookings ASAP. We will ask you to confirm and update your hours (if you went over time) and add in the kilometres you travelled in your car during the Activity (if discussed and agreed with the member beforehand). This is extremely important, as you will not be paid until you do these steps.

The best way to complete your booking is via the Like Family app, straight after the Activity has taken place. Having the Like Family app installed on your phone will help you remember to complete your bookings, so that you can be paid on time (the 1st and 15th of the month). It will also allow you to confirm working hours with your Member on the spot, to avoid misunderstandings.

How much are Social Carers paid?

All payments are processed through your dashboard on our website. In order to get paid for your time, you will need to log in to your account, and make and complete bookings. As a Social Carer,  your support worker pay rates from 1 September 2026 will be:

The above net rates take into account our administration fee, which covers invoicing, payment processing and insurance.

When will I be paid?

Social Carers are paid on the 1st and the 15th of each month*.

• Bookings completed from the 1st to the 15th of the month are paid on the 1st of the following month
• Bookings completed from the 16th to the 31st of the month are paid on the 15th of the following month

Please note that without exception, we are unable to pay for bookings that were not completed by the payment period. For example, for any booking completed between the 16th and 30th of June, you will be paid on the 15th of July.

*If the Social Carer pay run falls on a weekend or public holiday, you will get paid on the following business day. Payments can take 1-3 business days to appear in your account, depending on your bank.

How do I access a summary of payments?

You will receive a remittance advice in your inbox on the 1st and 15th of each month, outlining the bookings you have been paid for. A summary is available via your dashboard (once logged in > profile > bookings > payment summary).

Do I need to invoice Members myself?

Ordinarily, you would send the invoice directly to the Member. However, since our members may have complicated government funding requirements, we take care of all this for you. We do this on your behalf as part of the platform services and include this in our admin fee.

We also collect the money from the Member on your behalf and deposit the fees less our platform fees directly into your bank account. You can view your invoices on the Social Carer Dashboard when you log into your account.

Will I be paid for time and kilometres spent travelling to and from my bookings?

Social Carers are not paid for the time they spend travelling to and from a booking. Much like travelling to and from work for any other contract role, the cost is to be paid by the contractor (Social Carer). Please only accept and apply for Activities that are in a location you feel comfortable travelling to.

Who pays for expenses during the bookings (i.e. petrol, tickets, public transport and outings)?

Any expenses that occur during the booking need to be discussed and agreed upon before it takes place.

It is completely up to the Member and Social Carer to decide on additional expenses based on what they are comfortable with, including things like food, ticket costs and parking. Like Family does not organise the payment or invoicing for additional expenses.

Petrol

• Please make sure to verify if your Member has funding for transportation, as NDIS participants are now able to flexibly use their plan’s core support funding to claim service provider costs associated with transporting participants to and from NDIS funded community-based activities.
• Social Carers can claim $0.90 per kilometre when providing transport to Members. This can be done when you create and complete bookings but must be discussed and agreed by the Member in question.
• If the Member is not happy to cover transport costs, you need to discuss with how much they'd like to pay and decide if you choose to accept the Activity or not.
• Petrol costs can be added upon completion of the booking. You will be able to create an invoice line for transportation by adding the kilometres to your booking!

Other transport costs (like road tolls, parking, and public transport fares)

• By agreement, your Member can cover the cost of any transport provided on the booking. We recommend that you confirm at the time of the booking if the Member receives funding for transportation and is happy to reimburse you for the transport costs like road tolls, parking, and public transport fares.
• If the Member does not have funding, they will need to pay separately.

Ticket costs

• Communication is key. Some of our Members have a tight budget and for this reason, even if they would like to, they may not be able to cover your entry or ticket. If you are not comfortable in paying for yourself, just politely let them know this and suggest some similar events that are lower in cost or free.
• You can also ask if they have a Companion Card, which some of our Members own that allows you, as a carer, entry into many locations for free.

How do I track travel that happens on a booking?

All kilometres travelled as part of a booking (not to and from) must first be agreed with a Member. Once you have agreed on the cost of travel, you need to make a log of all travel if you are claiming via Like Family. You can use the following methods:

• Written logbook
• Online journey
• SMS or email confirmation between you and the Member
• Use an online app like https://www.life360.com/ (we recommend as this is free and can track all travel history)

Looking for support worker jobs? Become a Like Family social carer today!

The Companion Card program lets you bring a support person to thousands of venues across Australia without buying them a second ticket. It's accepted at over 4,200 participating businesses nationwide, from cinemas and theme parks to sporting grounds and museums.

Your companion can be anyone: a family member, a friend, or a disability support worker. The card exists so that needing attendant care support doesn't stop you from getting out and enjoying life, whether that's a trip to the movies, a concert, or a day at the zoo.

This guide covers where the Companion Card is accepted across Australia, plus specific venues worth checking out in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

A state-by-state breakdown of where to use the Companion Card

Each state and territory runs its own Companion Card program and its own directory of participating venues. Some are searchable by postcode, which makes it easier to find something nearby.

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

A card issued in one state also works at participating venues in every other state and territory, so it's worth packing if you're travelling or visiting family interstate. Just note that if you move states permanently, you'll need to apply for a new card through your new home state.

Where can you use a Companion Card around Australia

The types of venues that accept the Companion Card are broadly similar across the country, though exactly which businesses participate varies by state. Always check with the specific venue before you go.

Arts and culture

• Performing arts centres and theatres: Plays, musicals, dance performances, and other live shows.
• Cinemas: The latest films with the support you need.
• Museums and galleries: Exhibitions and cultural collections.
• Live music venues and festivals: Concerts and performances, including major events like Sydney Festival.

Recreation and leisure

• Zoos, wildlife parks, and aquariums: Experience the natural world with your support person.
• Theme parks: Rides and attractions.
• Sporting events: AFL, NRL, cricket, and other major matches.
• Recreational facilities: Bowling alleys, mini-golf courses, and go-kart tracks.
• Swimming pools and aquatic centres: Aquatic activities with your companion.

Transportation

• Public transport: In NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, Companion Card holders can travel with a free companion on most public transport. In NSW, for example, your companion travels free on Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, buses, Sydney Ferries, and light rail, as long as you travel together for the whole journey.
• Tourism transport: Certain ferries, sightseeing buses, and other tourist transport accept the card.

Tourism and accommodation

• Tourist attractions and tours: Landmarks and attractions.
• Holiday parks and accommodation providers: Some offer complimentary access for your companion.

Community and essential services

• Local council facilities: Events and activities at community centres, libraries, and council-run venues.
• Educational workshops and classes: Learning opportunities with the support you need.
• Disability support services and events: Relevant programs and gatherings.

Top places to use a Companion Card in Sydney

Madame Tussauds Sydney

Madame Tussauds offers free entry to carers who hold a companion card. Tickets must be booked in advance through their website. Make sure to bring your companion card with you to present to the staff on the day.

Taronga Zoo

Marvel at giraffes, tigers, elephants and more at Taronga! The zoo offers free entry to carers or essential companions of people with disability. Don't miss out on one of their Access Taronga Days, specifically designed for visitors with autism or sensory needs.

Sydney Film Festival

Every June, Sydneysiders get to enjoy a mix of local, international, short and feature-length films at Sydney Film Festival. The festival proudly accepts Companion Cards to all sessions.

Top Companion Card locations in Brisbane?

Queensland Performing Arts Centre

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is one of several performing arts venues that accepts the Companion Card, alongside venues like Brisbane Powerhouse. Mention your card when booking.

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is one of several performing arts venues that accepts the Companion Card, alongside venues like Brisbane Powerhouse. Mention your card when booking.

Gallery of Modern Art

As a Companion Card holder visiting GOMA, you'll get a concession-priced ticket for yourself and a complimentary ticket for your companion to paid exhibitions. Complimentary companion tickets are collected at the gallery.

Brisbane Motor Museum

From American muscle cars to stylish German automobiles, the Brisbane Motor Museum has plenty of vehicles to satisfy any motor enthusiast. This wheelchair-accessible venue accepts Companion Cards for entry to its exhibition space.

Top spots to use the Companion Card in Melbourne

Events at the MCG

The MCG accepts Companion Cards for accessible seating bookings through Ticketek, including a dedicated accessibility hotline. Members with a valid Victorian Companion Card can also redeem a complimentary companion ticket for events in the Members' Reserve. From Boxing Day Test cricket to AFL finals, there's no shortage of ways to catch a game with a companion by your side.

Luna Park

Both Sydney and Melbourne's Luna Parks offer a free ride pass or entry ticket for a carer accompanying a Companion Card holder who has purchased their own full-priced ticket. Present your card at the ticket box on arrival.

Things to consider when using your Companion Card

• Always verify first. Contact the venue directly to confirm they're a participating affiliate before you head out, since participation can change.
• One companion per cardholder. The card typically covers one companion accompanying the cardholder.
• Bring your physical card. Present it at the time of ticket purchase or on entry, as most venues require it to be shown, not just mentioned.
• State and territory variations exist. The scheme is national, but individual venue policies differ, so check your destination state's directory if you're travelling.
• It's not a discount card. The Companion Card doesn't reduce the cardholder's own ticket price. Its purpose is to remove the cost of a second ticket for the person providing attendant care.

Need a companion? Bring a Like Family support worker with you

Found your next outing? Like Family's support workers can accompany you to any of these venues using your Companion Card. We focus on social and community support, so you're set up for a great day out.

Get in touch with our Customer Care team at hello@likefamily.com.au or call 1800 545 332.

If you're weighing up a career as a support worker, you’re in the right place. Becoming a support worker is actually a lot easier than people might think and it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. You don't need existing qualifications or experience to get started with social support, you’re in complete control of your hours, and get paid competitively. This guide walks through what the role actually involves and exactly how to get started as a support worker on the Like Family platform.

What does a support worker do?

Support work covers a wide range of non-medical support and Personal Care, depending on what a person needs and what you're set up to provide. At Like Family, we call our support workers "Social Carers" because most of the work is about connection and community, not just tasks.

Day to day, that can include:

• Helping with household tasks like light cleaning or meal prep
• Being a companion for social events, hobbies or appointments
• Assisting with grocery shopping and errands
• Exercising, playing sports or getting active together
• Arts, crafts and other shared interests
• Skills training, like budgeting or digital literacy
• Transport to and from activities

For Carers with the right training, it also extends to Personal Care. This refers to hands-on support like showering, toileting and medication assistance.

5 reasons to consider becoming a support worker

1. It's flexible, and pretty much anyone can do it

Like Family's community of Social Carers include uni students, retirees, parents and people between careers. Many had no background in care, disability or nursing before starting. You choose your hours, who you work with, and what kind of support you offer, and most Carers build their work around other commitments like study, childcare or a business of their own.

2. No qualifications needed for social support, but Personal Care requires training

Getting started as a social support worker doesn't require any pre-existing qualifications or experience. You'll need to pass standard legal checks and complete mandatory training modules, which is a requirement under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but these are built into onboarding rather than something you need to arrange beforehand.

Personal Care is different. If you want to offer hands-on support like showering, toileting or medication assistance, you'll need relevant training and qualifications on top of the standard checks, since this type of care carries additional responsibility. Pay for Personal Care reflects that, it's higher than social support activities in recognition of the extra skill and training involved.

If you're not sure which path suits you, you can start with social support and add Personal Care qualifications later once you've got a feel for the work.

3. You'll support a wide range of people and make a real difference

Support workers work with people with physical and intellectual disabilities, neurodiverse people, people recovering from injury or illness, and older Australians. Members range from kids to people in older adulthood, and every person's needs and interests are different.

Carers and Members are often matched based on shared interests as much as support needs. If you've got a particular hobby or skill, there's a good chance someone on the Like Family platform also shares these interests and is looking for someone like you to connect with. It's part of what makes support work feel more like a genuine relationship.

4. It's a career, not just a gig

Some Carers use support work as flexible, ongoing casual income around other commitments. Others build it into a genuine career path, taking on Personal Care qualifications, specialising in particular support types, or working toward roles like support coordination over time. Either way works, and you can adjust as your circumstances change, giving you greater control over your time.

"I love being a Like Family Social Carer. I'm always meeting new people and having fun and learning new skills whilst helping vulnerable and isolated members of the community." Alison

5. The pay is competitive

Not only is support work rewarding and meaningful, but it pays competitively too. Our pay rates are above the SCHADS Award and well above the minimum wage. Rates vary depending on the type of support you provide, for example, Personal Care is paid at a higher rate to recognise the qualifications it requires.

View Like Family's support worker pay rates.

How do I sign up?

Like Family's sign-up process is easy and fast. Most carers are able to book their first client within a week of being activated on the platform. Here’s how it works:

1. Start your profile. Visit the Support Worker Jobs page and complete a short, video-based sign-up. You'll answer a handful of questions on camera, each under two minutes. Your answers are used to build your profile for you, making it easy for Members to find and match with you. Don't worry these videos are not used or shared anywhere outside of the onboarding process.
2. Complete your verification. You'll need an ABN and NDIS Worker Screening Check as a minimum, which can take a couple of weeks to process. A Working With Children Check is required if you want to work with Members under 18. You’ll also need to provide three reliable references.
3. Get activated. Once your documents are submitted and verified, activation can happen within 24 hours.
4. Start applying for Activities. Once you're active, you can browse and apply for Activities posted by Members. Most support workers book their first client within a week of joining.

You don't need any qualifications, experience or a car to get started. Like Family is currently looking for support workers across NSW, VIC, QLD and SA.

If you're ready to start a career making a real difference, start your application on the Support Worker Jobs page.

Frequently asked questions

Find more answers to common questions on our website.

If you or someone you love relies on the NDIS or Support at Home, you've probably seen the date 1 October 2026 floating around and wondered what it actually means for your plan or your budget.

Two separate changes are landing on the same day, and they affect two different systems - but if you're a family juggling both an NDIS plan and aged care (which more Australians are than you'd think), it can feel like a lot to take in at once.

So let's break down what's changing, who it affects, and what you can do about it.

The short version

• NDIS: funding for social, civic and community participation supports is being reduced, as part of a wider reset to bring this category's spending back towards 2023 levels. Core daily living and personal care supports are not affected.
• Support at Home: personal care — showering, dressing, continence support and similar — is moving into a fully government-funded category, meaning the co-payments some Members were paying for these supports go away.

One change makes a part of the NDIS smaller. The other makes a part of aged care more affordable, here's the detail on both:

Part one: the NDIS community participation reset

What's actually changing

From 1 October 2026, the NDIS is adjusting how much funding sits in two specific budget categories:

• Social, civic and community participation supports - the funding that pays for things like joining a social group, getting out to community activities, or being supported to build friendships and stay connected - is being reduced by around 50 percent.
• Capacity building daily activity supports are being reduced by around 10 percent.

The government's stated goal is to bring average spending in these categories back towards where it sat in 2023, before a period of rapid growth in this part of the scheme. Overall, average participant spending in this category is expected to fall from around $31,000 to around $26,000 a year.

What isn't changing

This is the part that gets lost in the headlines, so it's worth saying clearly: core daily living and personal care supports are not part of this reset. Personal care assistance, help with daily living, home modifications, and specialist disability accommodation funding all continue as they are.

This change is specifically about the community participation and capacity-building categories - not your whole plan.

It won't hit every plan on the same day

Even though 1 October 2026 is the date the new settings start, the reset doesn't mean every participant wakes up on that day with a smaller budget. The change phases in gradually, over roughly 12 months, as individual plans come up for their normal review or renewal. If your next plan review isn't until mid-2027, this change won't touch your current funding until then.

The government has also announced a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund, intended to support group-based community activities as an alternative way for participants to stay connected as individual funding in this category shrinks.

What this means for you

If community participation and capacity-building supports are a meaningful part of your (or your child's) plan, it's worth:

• Checking when your next plan review is due, since that's when any change will actually apply to you.
• Thinking ahead about which activities matter most, so you can prioritise if your budget in this category does shrink.
• Looking into group-based options, which tend to stretch further per dollar than 1:1 support and may be supported by the new Inclusive Communities Fund.
• Talking to your support coordinator or plan manager before your review, not after.

Part two: the Support at Home personal care change

What's actually changing

Under Support at Home, personal care — services like showering, dressing, continence support and toileting assistance, help with eating and personal hygiene, and medication support — is being reclassified. It's moving out of the "independence" support category and into "clinical supports."

Why does that matter? Because clinical supports don't attract a co-payment. Previously, personal care sat in the independence category, where Members could be asked to contribute somewhere between 5 and 50 percent of the provider's fee, depending on their means. From 1 October 2026, that co-payment is removed for personal care specifically.

What isn't changing

Not every Support at Home service becomes free. Everyday living and independence supports — things like cleaning, gardening, transport and general social support — keep their existing, means-tested contribution arrangements. This change is specific to personal care.

It's also specific to Support at Home. If you're receiving services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) rather than a Support at Home package, this particular change doesn't apply to you.

Why the change is happening

This one's a genuinely welcome shift. Aged care providers and advocates had been raising concerns that some older Australians were skipping or cutting back on essential personal care — the kind of support that keeps someone safe, clean and comfortable at home — simply because of the cost. Reclassifying it as a clinical support removes that barrier.

What this means for you

If you or a family member has personal care listed in a Support at Home support plan, this change applies automatically from 1 October 2026 — there's no new assessment or paperwork required on your end, as long as you already have personal care approved and funding available in your plan.

If personal care isn't currently in your plan but you think it should be, this is a good moment to raise it with your Support at Home provider or aged care assessor.

Two changes, one honest takeaway

It's easy to read "funding cut" and "fully funded" in the same breath and feel whiplash. The truth is more measured than either headline: the NDIS is tightening one specific, non-essential category while protecting core care, and aged care is loosening the purse strings on one of the most essential supports there is. Neither change happens overnight, and neither should catch you off guard if you know what's coming.

If you're supporting someone through either system — or both — the best next step is the same one it always is: know your plan review date, ask questions before decisions are made for you, and don't wait until a change lands to start planning for it.

We're here to help either way

At Like Family, we connect Members with Social Carers who feel less like a service and more like family - for social support, community participation, and personal care alike. If you're trying to work out what these changes mean for your specific plan, or you just want support that makes the everyday easier while the rules shift around you, our Customer Care team is a message away.

Find the right Social Carer for you →

Frequently asked questions

Does the NDIS community participation reset affect my current plan straight away? No. Changes apply when your plan is next reviewed or renewed, not automatically on 1 October 2026. The rollout is staged over around 12 months.

Will I lose all my community participation funding? No. Funding in this category is being reduced by around 50 percent on average, not removed. Everyone's plan is different, so the actual impact depends on your individual circumstances and next review.

Does the Support at Home personal care change apply to people receiving Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) support?No, this specific change applies to Support at Home participants. CHSP arrangements are separate.

Do I need to do anything to get the new, no-co-payment personal care rate? If personal care is already approved in your Support at Home plan, the change should apply automatically from 1 October 2026. If it isn't in your plan yet, speak with your provider or assessor about adding it.

This article is general information based on government announcements current as at August 2026. Rules and figures may be refined before and after 1 October 2026 - always confirm your individual situation with the NDIA, your plan manager, or My Aged Care.

Where it all started

Ten years ago, Like Family’s co-founders faced a problem so many families know intimately. A parent needed support, but with full-time jobs and busy lives of their own, they simply couldn't be there enough. What he was missing wasn't help around the house - it was connection. Every day he would try to get out into the community and lose his way, and the isolation was taking a toll that no amount of practical help could fix.

So they suggested a carer, and he pushed back immediately. He didn't want a stranger coming in and telling him how to live his life. But then they thought of a friend of theirs, someone young and outgoing who loved the beach and lived for music, and everything changed. He'd spent his life as a jazz musician, and the moment he heard she loved music too, he said he'd go anywhere with her.

What followed was a real friendship. He got someone to share his passions with, his family finally had peace of mind; and their friend, who was far from her own family overseas, found something she didn't know she was missing: a sense of connection to people outside her own generation, at a time when she needed it most.

That relationship is the reason Like Family exists. It highlighted just how much this kind of support was needed, and how little of it was out there.

A decade on, Like Family is live across the east coast of Australia, delivering more than 1.8 million hours of care, and operating as an NDIS registered provider, which means real trust and safety protocols sit behind every match made, protecting Members and Carers alike.

What is a Social Carer?

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: connection changes lives. Like Family exists to reduce social isolation and loneliness, and every single thing our Carers do, whether it's a chat over coffee or hands-on personal care, is underpinned by that same idea. It's why we call our Carers ‘Social Carers’ rather than ‘support workers’. The name reflects what actually matters here, which is the relationship, not just the task being completed.

That connection shows up in a few different ways, depending on what a Member needs and what a Carer is drawn to.

For some, it's companionship, shaped entirely around shared interests. A coffee catch-up, a walk, a trip to an expo, even turning up to Comic Con in full costume together. It's just as much about the everyday things too, having someone alongside you for appointments, errands and groceries, so they feel less like chores and more like time well spent.

Sometimes the best matches come from exposure to something new on both sides. One young Member who loved WWE wrestling was paired with an older couple, and he wasn't convinced at first. A few months later, he was teaching them how to play video games so they could join in with their grandchildren, while learning chess from them in return.

For others, it's about daily life support, the shopping, meal prep and light household tasks that help someone stay independent, along with skill building like digital literacy and learning to manage the small logistics of everyday life, from budgeting for a meal to getting to the shops and back.

It can also mean community connection, getting out to social events and building friendships, and just as importantly, helping someone build the confidence to make friends of their own.

And for Carers with the right qualifications, it extends to personal care, hands-on support like showering, toileting and medication assistance, delivered with the same warmth and respect that runs through everything else.

Real stories, real range

The people who become Social Carers come from every kind of background imaginable, and their reasons for joining are just as varied. To give you a sense of that range, here are a few stories that came out of a recent webinar with student carers on our platform. They're a small slice of a much bigger community.

Nick was studying healthcare at university when he joined Like Family, and found the course was heavy on clinical theory but light on the human side of caring for someone. Working with a nonverbal Member who has autism, he built a connection strong enough that a few gentle prompts led to a genuine shift in behaviour that others hadn't managed. Nick has since gone on to become a doctor, and he credits the interpersonal skills he built as a carer with helping get him there.

Marie is a Certificate IV graduate with training across medication administration, health administration and mental health. Living in a more remote area, she'd found it hard to access conventional work, but the flexibility of the platform let her build a client base close to home, sometimes for just half an hour at a time, helping with breakfast and medication. Over time, she's built strong relationships with her Members and uses her training to genuinely advocate for their best interests.

Valentina is a student who fits shifts around her study schedule, letting her Members know when exams mean she's unavailable. It gives her the flexibility, independence and sense of purpose she wouldn't find behind a retail counter, while still letting her choose her own clients and hours.

These are just three stories from one particular slice of our community. If you'd like to meet more of the people who make up the Like Family community, explore our carers here.

Why people love doing this work

Ask any of our Carers why they stay, and the answers tend to circle back to the same few things. It's flexible, it's meaningful, and it genuinely respects them as people, not just as workers filling shifts.

• You're in control: As an independent contractor, you choose who you work with, what kind of support you offer and when you're available. If domestic assistance isn't your thing, you simply don't accept those activities. There are no rosters, no lock-ins and no must-dos.
• It's meaningful: Every activity and every message is a chance to genuinely make someone's day better, not just tick a box on a checklist.
• The pay is competitive: Rates reflect the value of the work, with a higher rate for personal care in recognition of the qualifications it requires. Note: our rates are reviewed annually, and new rates will take effect from 1 September 2026, with all Carers given plenty of notice ahead of time.
• The admin is handled for you: As an NDIS approved provider, we carry public liability and personal liability insurance for our Carers, chase up invoices so you get paid, and manage the Member relationship, so you can focus on the part you're actually there for.
• You're backed by a trusted community: A 4.7 rating on Google, ten years in the sector and more than 1.8 million hours of care delivered mean you're joining something established, with a customer care team on hand whenever you need support.

Getting started

We've recently rebuilt our onboarding from the ground up, and it's one of the things we're proudest of. Rather than filling out endless text boxes, you'll work through a short, video based experience on the app or the web, whichever suits you best. You'll answer a handful of questions on camera, each one under two minutes, and those answers are used to build your profile for you. It's quick, it feels human, and it means your profile ends up sounding like you rather than a form.

Explore becoming a Social Carer

Those videos stay behind the scenes. They're used purely for onboarding and are never shown to Members or used for marketing.

Alongside your video responses, you'll need to complete verification, which starts with an NDIS worker check. A police check or Working With Children Check are useful additions too, and the latter is required if you'd like to work with Members under 18. Once everything is submitted and verified, activation can happen within 24 hours, which means you could be matched with your first Member sooner than you'd think.

Become a Social Carer today

If you've been curious, this might be it

Being a Social Carer is meaningful work. It genuinely helps reduce isolation and loneliness for people in your community who need connection as much as they need care, and it tends to give back just as much to the people doing it. Flexible hours, real relationships and a sense of purpose that's hard to find in a lot of other jobs.

If this sounds like something you'd love to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.

Sign up to become a Social Carer · Find out more · Get in touch with our team

Our Carers are the backbone of everything we do, and we're always here to help if you have questions along the way.

Thomas, known online as AuslanHQ, is a Deaf content creator whose videos blend humour, relatability and advocacy to advocate for the Deaf community help hearing audiences understand Auslan and Deaf culture. We interviewed him to talk about his approach to content, what real inclusion looks like, and what genuine allyship means in practice.

Follow more of Thomas's work at AuslanHQ / @findoutwiththomas.

Question 1: Let’s start right at the beginning. Can you tell us a bit about your story?

I'm Thomas. I'm Deaf, and Auslan is my first language.

I've always been curious about how people think and navigate everyday life. That curiosity naturally led me to become an Auslan teacher and a qualified Deaf Interpreter.

More recently, I began creating online content, including funny videos and sharing moments from my everyday life, while also helping people learn about Auslan and Deaf culture.

Looking back, I realised everything I do has the same purpose. I enjoy bringing people together through communication, humour and learning. That's what motivates me every day.

Question 2: Your content blends relatability, humour and advocacy. How did you come to this approach with AuslanHQ?

We live in a world where everything moves so fast, and our attention spans are getting shorter because of social media and technology. That's why I create Auslan content that is relatable, engaging and easy to connect with. I believe educational content is most effective when it creates opportunities for people to interact, ask questions and share their thoughts.

Many of the myths about Deaf people have existed for a long time, such as the idea that someone has to "look Deaf." Rather than making people feel embarrassed for not knowing, I use humour to make these conversations more approachable. It encourages people to stop, think and ask questions they may have been too afraid to ask before.

My goal has always been to create a positive space where people can learn, laugh and have meaningful conversations about the Deaf community and Auslan. If someone finishes one of my videos smiling while also learning something new, then I know I've achieved what I set out to do.

Question 2: You have a series signing Pokémon names in Auslan. A lot of trends and pop culture moments are designed with sound and hearing audiences in mind. How do you translate that world into something that works for Deaf audiences?

Deaf people are just like everyone else. We enjoy movies, games, Pokémon, sport, social media and pop culture too. The biggest difference isn't disability, it's language. When content includes captions, Deaf people can enjoy it equally and be part of the same conversations as everyone else.

I also believe inclusion shouldn't stop at accessibility. Include Deaf people and people with disabilities in the creative process. We bring different perspectives, lived experiences and ideas that can make content even better. For example, with Pokémon, we can create Auslan signs for the characters, share insights into Deaf culture and help make the content meaningful for both Deaf and hearing audiences.

I'd also love to see more characters with disabilities who are simply part of the story. Their disability doesn't have to define who they are. When representation feels authentic and natural, it helps people see that we already belong in these spaces. The reality is, we already do. Authentic representation simply reflects that.

Question 3: In your videos you often talk about the differences between Deaf and hearing culture. Can you tell us about your experience navigating the world with Auslan as your first language?

Auslan has been my first language since birth, so it's how I naturally communicate and experience the world. Growing up, I learnt to navigate between Deaf and hearing cultures every day. Sometimes it's smooth, and other times there are barriers, often because people don't understand Deaf people or assume we all communicate in the same way.

Many of those barriers aren't caused by being Deaf. They're caused by communication and accessibility. Simple things like providing captions, using interpreters when needed, or taking the time to communicate in a way that works for everyone can make a huge difference.

Sharing these experiences through my content helps people understand that Deaf culture is different, not less.

Question 4: Do you have any final thoughts or advice you'd like to leave our community with?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. We don't expect you to know everything, but we do appreciate people who are willing to learn. The best ally isn't the person who gets everything right. It's the person who listens, includes us from the beginning, and helps create spaces where everyone belongs.

At the end of the day, Deaf people are already part of society. We just want equal access to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else.

About Like Family

Like Family is an NDIS disability and aged care provider, connecting people who need social and personal care with quality support workers who truly make a difference. We match Members and support workers based on interests, personality and needs to create a lasting relationship that feels like family.

This conversation is part of an ongoing series spotlighting voices from the disability and mental health community, sharing the different ways people are finding their own ways to thrive, express themselves and show others what's possible.

The NDIS is going through its biggest restructure since it launched. If you're a current participant - or supporting someone who is - here's what you need to know.

The short version: your plan isn't being cancelled. But budgets are tightening, the way plans are assessed is changing, and if you're not prepared, your next plan review could look very different from your last one.

Here's what's changing, when it kicks in, and how to put yourself in the strongest position before it does.

What's driving the NDIS reforms?

On 22 April 2026, NDIS Minister Mark Butler announced the "Securing the NDIS for Future Generations" reform package — the most significant restructure since the scheme launched in 2013.

The NDIS was designed for around 410,000 participants. It now supports more than 760,000 Australians and is on track to cost more than $50 billion this year. Without intervention, that figure was heading past $70 billion by 2030.

The reform plan sets clear targets: reduce participant numbers to around 600,000 by 2030, slow annual growth from 5–6% to 2%, and bring average plan sizes from $31,000 back down to $26,000.

There are four pillars driving how it gets there:

1. Tightened eligibility: New entrants must demonstrate what Minister Butler has described as a "significant reduction in functional capacity", not just a diagnosis. Existing participants will be reassessed at plan review.
2. Reduced plan sizes: Average plan sizes come down. Social and community participation funding is the first category affected. Plan rollovers end.
3. Market and provider reform: All providers must use a new digital payment system. Mandatory registration expands, starting with SIL providers from July 2026.
4. Quality and safeguarding: Stronger powers for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

When each change kicks in

Nothing happens overnight. Most participants won't feel a direct impact until their next plan review. But there are key dates worth knowing.

Please note: The following timeline reflects dates as announced by the Australian Government in April 2026. Timelines are subject to change and may be subject to delay as legislation is finalised. We will update this article as further information is confirmed.

• June 2026: Tighter criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments take effect.
• July 2026: Mandatory registration begins for Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers. New digital claims and payments system rollout begins.
• 1 October 2026: Social, civic, and community participation budgets begin to be progressively reduced. This is the change most current participants will feel first.
• 1 February 2027: Tighter "reasonable and necessary" support assessments applied — new entrants first, then existing participants at plan review.
• 1 April 2027: New Framework Planning system commences.
• 2028 Onwards: New eligibility criteria intended to be fully in effect for current participants.

The biggest shift: from diagnosis to functional impact

The NDIS is moving away from diagnosis-based decisions and towards functional-impact decisions. This is the most important change to understand.

What counts is how your disability affects your daily life - communication, mobility, personal care, community participation, work, and relationships.

This is being delivered through a standardised tool called the I-CAN v6 (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs, version 6), developed by the Centre for Disability Studies and the University of Melbourne. A trained assessor will have a structured conversation with you about your daily life and support needs.

For many participants, this is a fairer approach. Two people with the same support needs should receive similar plans regardless of their diagnosis label.

Conditions with fluctuating or less visible impacts - psychosocial disability, chronic illness, autism, ADHD - benefit from strong documentation to be captured accurately in an assessment.

The most useful thing you can do right now: document your functional needs and the support that helps you live your life well.

Will your social and community participation funding change?

From 1 October 2026, budgets for social, civic, and community participation — and capacity building daily activities — begin to be progressively reduced. This is the change most Like Family members will feel first.

Social support isn't being eliminated. It remains a funded category. But funding will be more clearly tied to your disability-related goals and functional needs, rather than general lifestyle activities.

What that means in practice:

• Support that builds social skills, increases independence, or progresses your goals: funded
• A social carer who supports you to participate in your community, attend appointments, or develop new skills: funded
• Supports without a clear link to disability-related goals: at risk of review

Good documentation of your supports helps demonstrate their value - including the role they play in building confidence, practising communication, and reducing social isolation.

This is how Like Family's matching has always worked. We connect Members with Social Carers who share interests and support them towards specific goals, so the activity and the goal sit together - which is exactly what the NDIS will keep funding.

How Like Family helps you get more from your plan

Our rates are 11% below the NDIS price limit

With average plan sizes coming down, every dollar counts more. Like Family's 1:1 social support rates sit 11% below the NDIS price limit. That means for the same funding, you get more support hours - which matters a lot when budgets are tighter.

If your plan drops 20%, that's a hit. But choosing a provider priced below the cap is one practical way to absorb some of that.

‘My Journey’ keeps your support history documented

When your plan review comes around, you need to show what your support has looked like and why it matters. Our ‘My Journey’ feature records your support history with Like Family over time - your social carers, activities, and progress. That's a ready-made record for your assessor, without the scramble to pull it together at the last minute.

We're a registered NDIS provider with 10 years in the scheme

Like Family has been a registered NDIS provider since 2016. We've worked with participants across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia through multiple rounds of NDIS reform. Our team knows the scheme, and if you want to talk through how your plan might be structured or what your funding could cover, we're a phone call away.

📞 1800 545 332 | ✉️ hello@likefamily.com.au

10,000+ social carers, matched to your goals

Our platform has profiles of over 10,000 Social Carers across Australia. You filter by location, interests, and experience - and book up to 5 free Meet and Greet sessions to find the right fit. The match matters, because a social carer who genuinely fits your life is also one whose support is easy to document as goal-aligned.

Five things to do before your next plan review

1. Document your functional needs clearly. Write down what support helps you with, why it matters, and how it contributes to your daily life and goals. Focus on what support enables you to do. This is what assessors will be looking at.

2. Review your current support categories. Check that each support is clearly tied to your disability-related needs and goals, and that you have good records to show this.

3. Spend your plan purposefully. Plan rollovers end under the reforms. Unspent funds won't carry over. Choose providers and Social Carers who genuinely fit your goals and make the most of each plan period.

4. Request reassessments only when your circumstances have genuinely changed. Criteria for unscheduled reassessments tighten from June 2026. If your situation has meaningfully changed, a review may be appropriate - speak with your support coordinator.

5. Choose providers who know the changes. Your support coordinator, plan manager, and registered providers should all be across what's coming. Like Family has been an NDIS registered provider for 10 years and our team is here to answer your questions.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my NDIS plan because of the 2026 reforms? Most current participants won't lose their plans. Eligibility changes apply primarily to new entrants from 2027–2028. Existing participants will be reassessed at their normal plan review using the new I-CAN v6 tool. Permanent and significant disability with clear functional impact remains fundable.

What is the I-CAN v6 assessment? A structured tool trained assessors use to understand how your disability affects your daily life. It focuses on functional impact rather than medical diagnosis, and will inform your plan budget under the new framework.

What happens to my unspent NDIS funds? Plan rollovers end under the reforms. Unspent funds won't carry over to your next plan. Use your funded support purposefully through each plan period.

Can I still get social and community participation funding? Yes - it's still a funded category. The change is that funding will be more clearly tied to disability-related goals and functional needs. Good documentation of your supports helps demonstrate their ongoing value.

Is Like Family affected by the changes? Like Family is a registered NDIS provider and has been since 2016. Our rates sit 11% below the NDIS price limit, helping you get more support hours from your budget. We work across self-managed, plan-managed, and agency-managed participants.

Last updated May 2026. The reform process is ongoing - timelines and details may change as legislation is finalised. For advice on your specific situation, speak with your support coordinator, plan manager, or a qualified disability advocate.

Like Family is a registered NDIS provider supporting members across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia since 2016