Community & Social Participation referrals in Woden, ACT

Support to take part in social, recreational and community life — one-to-one community access, outings and activities that build connection and confidence.

Community & Social Participation is NDIS-funded support that helps a participant take part in social, recreational and community activities. In practice it means a support worker accompanying or assisting a participant to get out into their community — attending outings and events, joining group or centre-based programs, pursuing hobbies and interests, and building the confidence and skills to connect with others.

It sits across two parts of a plan. Day-to-day support to access the community (a worker helping someone get out and about) is usually funded from Core supports under "Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation". Support with a skill-building or goal focus — building a participant's capacity to participate more independently over time — is funded from Capacity Building under "Increased Social and Community Participation".

The underlying aim is inclusion: reducing isolation, maintaining relationships, and helping the participant do the everyday social and recreational things other Australians do. It can be delivered one-to-one or in a group, in the community or from a centre, depending on the participant's goals and what suits them.

Coordinator FAQs

Does a provider need to be registered to deliver community participation?

Not always. Community and social participation is not a support that legally requires registration in itself. NDIA-managed (agency-managed) participants must use NDIS-registered providers, but plan-managed and self-managed participants can choose registered or unregistered providers. Registration is only mandatory for specific supports…

Which budget pays for community participation — Core or Capacity Building?

It depends on the purpose. Day-to-day support to access the community is usually funded from Core supports under "Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation". Skill-building or goal-focused support to participate more independently is funded from Capacity Building under "Increased Social and Community Participation".…

Can a participant use this funding for group programs?

Yes. Group and centre-based programs are a core part of this support. In a group, the cost is shared across participants based on the ratio, so it is charged per participant rather than at the full 1:1 rate. Confirm the provider's group ratios, the activities on offer, and that the participant is comfortable in a group setting before…

Is transport to activities covered?

Sometimes. The support worker's time, and provider travel to deliver the activity, can be claimed in line with the pricing rules. A participant's own transport costs — such as getting to a program — are usually funded separately through transport supports in the plan. Check the plan and the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price…

What should I include in the referral?

Include participant consent, the NDIS number, plan-management type, the relevant support category and available budget, the hours and frequency sought, whether it is 1:1 or group, the participant's goals, and any specific requirements — worker gender, cultural or language needs, behaviours of concern, or accessibility. A complete referral…

Can community participation include holidays, camps or day trips?

It can cover the support worker's time to assist the participant during programs, including holiday programs and day trips. The NDIS does not fund the participant's own holiday costs, though — accommodation, entry fees and meals are the participant's personal expense. Confirm with the provider exactly what will be charged to the plan and…

How is this different from personal care or daily living support?

Community and social participation is about getting out and connecting — social, recreational and community activities. Personal care and daily living support cover self-care and in-home tasks. The same worker may deliver both in one shift, but they meet different needs and goals. Be clear which need you are referring for so the provider…

Can plan-managed participants use unregistered providers for this support?

Yes. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can use unregistered providers for community and social participation; only NDIA-managed participants are restricted to registered providers. This widens the pool available to you. Whatever the registration status, still check the provider's quality, insurance, worker screening and current…