“Assistance with social and community participation” is one of the most under-used lines in many NDIS plans — partly because people are not sure what it is allowed to pay for. The short answer: it exists to get you out into the world and keep you connected.
What it funds
Community participation funding sits in Core Supports and pays for a support worker to help you take part in social, recreational and community activities. The activity can be almost anything that supports your goals — what is funded is the support to do it, not the activity's own costs.
- Getting to and joining social activities, clubs, classes or community events
- Recreation — the gym, the pool, a walk, the library, a hobby group
- Building confidence with public transport and being out in the community
- One-on-one outings, or joining a group like our Wednesday rec group
Group or one-on-one?
Both are funded, and many participants use both. One-on-one support suits people building confidence or with specific interests. A group brings energy, friendships and lower cost per hour. The right mix is whatever helps you get out and stay connected.
What it does not cover
It generally does not pay for the activity's own entry fees or your everyday costs — a movie ticket, a gym membership, your coffee. It funds the worker's support to help you participate. (There are limited exceptions; your plan or coordinator can clarify.)
How to make the most of it
The participants who get the most from this funding treat it as capacity-building: each outing builds a little more confidence and a little more independence. Consistency helps here too — the same worker who knows what you enjoy makes getting out feel possible instead of exhausting.
What participants are actually doing
Community participation looks different for every person, but here are some of the activities Tegrity participants take part in week to week across the Inner West and South Sydney:
- Swimming and water aerobics — public pools across the network, from Newtown to Bankstown
- Walking groups and exercise — parks, walking trails, oval laps, parkrun
- Markets — Marrickville Organic Market, Carriageworks Farmers Market, local community markets
- Libraries — computer access, quiet time, reading programs, community events
- Hobby and craft groups — community centres, art programs, TAFE open classes
- Bowling, mini golf, table tennis, and other recreational activity
- Café outings and cooking challenges — a weekly outing to try somewhere new
- Cultural events — community festivals, screenings, multicultural events and celebrations
- Volunteering — building purpose and social connection while contributing to the community
The activity matters. People engage better, build more confidence, and sustain the routine longer when they are doing something they actually want to do. A good first conversation is about interests, not just available services.
Individual vs group: what to expect from each
Community participation can be funded as 1:1 (individual) support or as group-based support. Both are available under Core Supports, but the rates and experience are different.
With group supports, the support worker’s time is shared across participants. A 1:3 ratio means three participants each use roughly one third of the worker’s funded time — so the cost per participant is substantially lower. Group supports work best when the activity suits a shared group, social connection is part of the goal, and participants have some baseline readiness to be out in the community.
With 1:1 support, the worker’s full attention — and the full hourly rate — is allocated to one participant. This makes sense when you are building confidence for the first time, have specific accessibility or medical needs, or want to pursue activities that are genuinely individual in nature.
Many participants use both: a weekly group outing and a monthly 1:1 outing for something more personal. Your plan budget and goals shape the right mix — a support coordinator can help you work out what fits.
Getting more community participation at your next plan review
If your current plan doesn’t include enough community participation funding — or if the budget runs out before the plan year ends — your next plan review is the time to change that.
What helps at a plan review:
- Clear, specific goals: “I want to leave the house three times per week and build friendships in my local area” is a goal. “More community participation” is not. Specific goals get funded.
- Evidence of what you used the last plan for: Progress notes from your support worker, an activity log, or a coordinator’s summary showing how funding was used and why it mattered to your wellbeing.
- A letter from a treating professional: A GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist explaining why community participation is important for your health outcomes strengthens the case considerably.
- A budget estimate: Your coordinator can prepare a breakdown showing how many hours at what ratio you need to meet your goals. Planners respond well to numbers — it shows you understand your own support needs.
Preparing for a plan review is one of the best uses of support coordination hours. If you are not sure how to approach it, a coordinator can work through it with you.
Tegrity provides social and community participation support across the Inner West and Inner City of Sydney — 1:1 community access plus a genuine, long-running weekly group.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 'community access' and 'community participation'?
They're used fairly interchangeably. Both refer to support that helps you get out and take part in social, recreational and community life. Your plan may use either phrase under Core Supports.
Can I join a group without knowing anyone?
Yes. New participants are welcome to come along to our Wednesday rec group and see how it feels before committing to anything. You don't need to bring anyone or know anyone.
Does the funding pay for my entry fees or activity costs?
Generally no — it funds the support worker's time to help you participate, not the activity's own costs like tickets or memberships. There are some exceptions, so check your plan or ask your coordinator.
How long does it take to get started after my plan is approved?
Once your plan is approved and you have chosen a provider, it usually takes one to two weeks to set up a service agreement, match you with a worker, and begin shifts. If you have a clear idea of what you want to do and some timing flexibility, it can move faster. Call us and we can give you an honest estimate based on current capacity.
What if my goals or preferred activities change over time?
That is completely normal — especially in the first few months of a plan. Activities can change without any change to your plan, provided they still support your funded goals. If your goals themselves shift significantly, a plan review may be worth requesting. For most day-to-day changes, a conversation with your worker is all it takes.
Can I use community participation funding for the gym?
The support worker’s time to accompany you to the gym is generally covered. The gym membership itself is not — that is a personal cost. Some venues charge per-visit rather than by membership, which makes it simpler. If fitness is a goal in your plan, it is worth checking with your coordinator about what can be funded specifically in your plan.
Related guides
Let's get you out and connected
If you have community participation funding and want to actually use it, call us — or come along to a Wednesday outing before you commit.