Does the NDIS fund social skills groups?

What a social skills group is

A social skills group brings together a small number of children, teenagers or adults to practise social and communication skills with others. Sessions might cover starting and keeping conversations going, taking turns, reading emotions, managing frustration, teamwork and making friends.

Groups are common for autistic children and teenagers, but they also help adults with intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or psychosocial disability. The best groups match people by age and needs and practise skills in real settings, not only in a room.

Which budget pays for it

It depends on who runs the group and what it aims to build:

• Group therapy with a speech pathologist, psychologist or occupational therapist: usually improved daily living skills funding, at the therapist's price limit divided by the group size
• Group skills development and training run by skilled support workers: usually increased social and community participation funding
• For children younger than 9, early childhood supports can be delivered in groups
• Individual social skills development, one to one, sits in the Relationships budget rather than in groups

How group pricing works

Under the NDIS Pricing Schedule, when a support is delivered to more than one person at the same time, the price limit for each person is the applicable price limit divided by the number of people in the group. The provider claims the full session time from each participant at that lower rate.

For example, speech pathology and occupational therapy have a 2026/27 price limit of $193.99 an hour in most of Australia. In a group of four, the most each person can be charged is a quarter of that for each hour. Skills development and training by a skilled support worker has a price limit of $83.87 an hour, divided the same way. Some providers also charge for non face to face time, travel or reports, so ask for a full quote.

Programs of support

Many groups run as a term long program. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements let providers of group based Capacity Building supports agree a program of support with you, where they can claim for each session in the program whether or not you attend. In return, programs must have a written agreement setting out length, exit rules and intended outcomes, and you must be able to leave without cost after a short notice period. Read the agreement carefully before you sign.

The 2026 funding reset

From 1 October 2026, when a plan is created, reassessed or renewed, social, economic and community participation supports are reduced by 50% and improved daily living skills supports by 10%. Social skills groups are often funded from one of these, so the funding available for groups may be smaller after your next plan change. Your new plan shows the total and the amount available after the change.

Group sessions can stretch a smaller budget further than one to one sessions, which is worth discussing with your providers.

Questions to ask a provider

• Who runs the group, and what are their qualifications?
• How many people are in the group, and how are they matched?
• What skills will be taught, and how will progress be measured?
• Is it a program of support, and what are the exit rules?
• What is the total cost per session for each person, including any extra charges?