What this budget is for
The NDIA describes this funding as being for supports that help you find and join activities that interest you and connect with other people in your area. You can also use it for training to build social skills, make friends, grow your social network and become more independent.
Common supports include:
- Individual skills development, such as learning to plan an outing, use public transport or manage money in the community
- Group programs that teach social and communication skills
- Mentoring and peer support
- Life transition planning, for example when leaving school
- Help to try new activities until you are confident to go on your own
How it differs from Core community participation
Your plan can have two kinds of community participation funding, and they are easy to mix up:
- Core, assistance with social, economic and community participation: a support worker goes with you and supports you while you take part. It is flexible Core funding
- Capacity Building, increased social and community participation: supports that build your own skills and confidence, so you need less help over time. It can only be used for that purpose
What it does not pay for
Like all NDIS funding, this budget can only be used for NDIS supports. The cost of the activity itself, such as class fees, memberships, event tickets or meals out, is generally treated as a day to day living cost that you pay yourself. The funding pays for the support and the skill building, not the activity.
The 2026 funding reset
From 1 October 2026, funding for social, economic and community participation supports is reduced by 50% when a plan is created, reassessed or renewed. The government's fact sheet describes the affected supports by that group name rather than listing individual budgets, and some subgroups, such as supports in employment and intensive and complex behaviour supports, are protected.
When your plan is reassessed or renewed, it will show your total funding, the funding available after the change and the funding that is not affected. Check how this budget appears on your new plan, and ask your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA if anything is unclear. The reset does not apply to new framework plans, which start rolling out from 1 April 2027.
Getting the most from it
- Write goals about connection and independence, such as making friends or getting to an activity on your own
- Ask providers how they will measure progress, and what the plan is to reduce support as you build skills
- Combine short term skill building with your Core supports, so you rely less on a worker over time
- Keep notes of what you can now do. It is useful evidence at your next reassessment
For providers
Supports billed to this budget should be clearly about building capacity, with goals, a plan and progress notes. Participants may see smaller budgets after their next plan change, so agree priorities early and quote against the funding available. Separately, the NDIA's Annual Pricing Review has recommended lower prices for some social and community participation supports from unregistered providers from 1 January 2027, which is still under consultation.