Understanding proposed NDIS funding changes can help participants and families feel more informed and prepared.
For many participants and families, community supports are not ‘extra’.
They are part of everyday life - building confidence, friendships, independence, routine and connection.
So, when news emerges that average NDIS funding for social and community participation may decrease, it is understandable that many people feel concerned about what this could mean for their future supports and daily life.
The good news is that support options still exist, and planning can help participants and families feel more informed, prepared and confident during plan reviews and funding conversations.
Recent proposed NDIS reforms suggest average funding for social and community participation supports may reduce over time, with government modelling referencing a decrease from about $31,000 to $26,000 per plan.
While this may sound significant, every NDIS plan is individualised. Funding decisions are based on a participant’s goals, support needs, circumstances and what the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) considers reasonable and necessary.
Social and community participation supports, or community access, can help people:
Build confidence and independence
Access hobbies, recreation and learning opportunities
Develop communication and daily living skills
Connect with others in the community
Create meaningful routines and structure
Work towards personal goals
Supports can look different for everyone. Some participants may access one-to-one support in the community, while others may attend group day programs, skill-building activities or social and recreational supports across their week.
For many people, these supports play an important role in their general wellbeing and help to build confidence and independence.
The NDIS continues to evolve as the scheme grows across Australia. Recent reforms are placing greater focus on:
Consistency across participant plans
Evidence and measurable outcomes
Long-term sustainability of the scheme
Building participant capacity and independence
Ensuring funding aligns closely with participant goals and support needs
As part of this shift, some participants may notice changes to funding levels for community participation supports.
Importantly, this does not mean community participation is no longer valued. There is increasing focus on how supports connect to a participant’s goals, independence and everyday life outcomes.
For some participants, lower funding may mean reviewing how supports are structured throughout the week and thinking more carefully about which activities provide the greatest benefit. This could include:
Combining group and individual supports
Exploring supports that build independence and life skills
Prioritising activities linked to participant goals
Gathering stronger supporting evidence for plan reviews
Many families are also finding it helpful to begin planning conversations earlier rather than waiting until a review meeting approaches.
Preparing early for a plan review can help participants and families feel more informed and confident. It may help for you to gather the following:
Progress reports
Examples of increased independence or skill development
Information about changes in support needs
Evidence showing how supports help maintain wellbeing and routine
Recommendations from allied health professionals or Support Coordinators
Every NDIS journey is different. Support availability and funding suitability will depend on individual goals and circumstances.
Speak with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator for personalised guidance.
Social and community participation is about much more than simply staying busy.
Community support services help grow confidence and build rewarding friendships, healthy routines and independence.
As the NDIS changes, participants and families may need to explore different ways of structuring supports, but meaningful community connection continues to matter.
At Endeavour Foundation, we work alongside participants and families to explore supports for people with intellectual disability who want to build skills, make friends and be more active in their community.
Contact our team to talk about your goals, interests, support needs and the type of life you want to build.
Whether you want to learn new skills, meet new people, build confidence or become more involved in your community, we can help you explore supports that feel right for you.
We can also help you understand how your NDIS funding may apply and talk through support options that align with your goals or those of the person you support.