Day Program vs Community Access: What's the Difference?
Day program vs community access on the NDIS: how centre-based group programs compare with individual support, who each suits, and how they're funded.
Once your daily needs are covered, a lot of NDIS support is about getting out, staying active and being part of your community. Two common ways to do that are a day program and community access support — and they can look quite different. This guide explains what each one is, who it suits, and how they're funded.
What a day program is
What community access is
Day program vs community access at a glance
Who a day program suits
Who community access suits
Can you do both?
How they're funded
Finding the right option
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a day program and community access?
A day program is a structured, group-based service you attend at a set venue on set days. Community access is more individual support — usually one-to-one — that helps you get out and do your own chosen activities in the community. One is timetabled and group-based; the other is flexible and built…
Which is better value for money?
It depends what you want. Group day programs spread costs across several participants, so the hourly rate is usually lower. One-to-one community access costs more per hour but is fully tailored to your goals. Many people mix both — group days for routine, individual hours for personal goals.
Can I do both a day program and community access?
Yes. They complement each other, and many people combine them — a couple of structured, social days at a program plus individual community-access hours for personal goals and outings. Both usually come from your Core budget, which is flexible, so you can often adjust the mix within your plan.
How are they funded on the NDIS?
Both are generally funded from your Core budget under Assistance with Social and Community Participation. Because Core is flexible, you can often move between group and individual supports without changing your plan, as long as it stays within your funded budget and goals.
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