NDIS Community Participation Support
Community Participation Australia
Community participation is about being part of the world around you. Joining in, connecting with people, trying new things, and building a life that feels full and meaningful.
For NDIS participants with community participation or social participation funding in their plan, this support means having a trained support worker by your side to help you access social activities, recreational programs, community groups, and everyday experiences in your local area. Whether you’re looking to get more involved or build the confidence to try something new, community participation support is designed around your goals and your interests.
St Jude’s provides community participation support across Western Australia and Queensland, with dedicated teams in Perth, Bunbury, and Brisbane. Talk to us about community participation support in your area.
NDIS Community Participation Across Australia
Personalised community support servicesCommunity participation support is NDIS-funded assistance that helps you take part in social, recreational, and community-based activities outside your home. It covers the cost of a disability support worker to be with you during those activities, not the cost of the activity itself.
This funding sits under Core Supports in your NDIS plan, within the category called Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Support Category 04). It covers support to participate right now, whether that’s attending a social group, heading to the gym, or spending time at a local community event.
Your plan may also include Capacity Building funding for Increased Social and Community Participation (Support Category 09), which covers structured skill-building programs to help you participate more independently over time. These two categories work together, with one supporting you in the moment and the other building your skills for the future.
Community participation funding levels are changing progressively from October 2026 as part of broader NDIS reforms, so it’s worth confirming the details with the NDIA directly.
Get in touch with our team to discuss community participation support for you or someone you care for.
Community participation support across WA and QLD
Engaging you with social activities and eventsSt Jude’s has been supporting people with disabilities for over 40 years. We deliver community participation support through dedicated local teams who understand the communities they work in, and who take the time to match you with a support worker who’s the right fit.
Western Australia
Our WA team supports participants across the Perth metropolitan area,Bunbury, and the South West region. Whether you’re looking to join a local sports group, attend community events, or build confidence getting around your neighbourhood, our Perth and South West teams offer a wide range of social, recreational, and disability community access activities tailored to your area.
Queensland
Our Brisbane-based team supports participants across South East Queensland, connecting you with community activities, social groups, and local programs. From recreational outings to skill-building in community settings, our QLD team works with you to find the right activities and the right support.
What community participation can include
Community participation looks different for everyone, and that’s the whole point. Your support worker works with you to find activities that match your interests, your goals, and your comfort level. The NDIS funds the disability-related support you need to take part, not the cost of the activities themselves.
Social and recreational activities
Community participation support can help you attend social events, meetups, and community groups. It also covers joining recreational activities like sport, swimming, art classes, music sessions, or outings to local cafes, parks, libraries, and cultural spaces. If you want to spend time with friends, attend a family gathering, or simply get out and enjoy your local area, your support worker is there to make it happen.
Skill-building and education
Community participation isn’t just about socialising. It can also support you to access educational programs, training courses, and workshops in community settings. Many participants use this funding to practise everyday skills like travel training and public transport, or to explore new interests that help build confidence and independence over time.
Volunteering and work experience
Supported volunteering and employment-adjacent experiences are another way community participation funding can be used. Whether you’re exploring what kind of work you might enjoy or contributing to a cause you care about, your support worker can help you get involved in a way that feels comfortable and supported.
Your support worker can also help you find activities that are free or low-cost, so your NDIS social participation funding goes further.
Who is community participation support for?
Community participation support is available to any NDIS participant with community access or social participation funding in their plan. There’s no age limit and no requirement for a specific type of disability.
You might be a young adult looking to build social connections and try new things. You might have a physical disability and need practical support to get out and about. Or you might be living with a psychosocial disability and working toward greater confidence in community settings. Whatever your situation, this support is shaped around you.
Community participation is also a strong fit for participants whose NDIS goals include building independence, developing social skills, reducing isolation, or exploring new interests. If those kinds of goals appear in your plan, there’s a good chance you’ll have funding available.
If you’re a family member or support coordinator researching options, community participation support can be a meaningful way to help someone you support stay connected, active, and involved in everyday life.
How to get started with community participation
Getting community participation support through St Jude’s is straightforward.
Start by confirming your NDIS plan includes funding for community participation or social participation under Core Supports. If you’re not sure whether your plan includes this, your support coordinator or plan manager can help you check.
From there, get in touch with St Jude’s. You can call us, fill in the contact form below, or ask your support coordinator to make a referral on your behalf. We support participants across Perth, Bunbury, and Brisbane.
Once we hear from you, we’ll have a conversation about your interests, your goals, and what you’d like to get out of community participation. From there, we match you with a community participation support worker who’s the right fit, and start building a plan that works for you. We offer one-on-one community participation, and because it often works alongside other supports, our team can coordinate with your in-home support or other disability services to make sure everything connects.
You don’t need to have every detail sorted before you reach out. If you have community access NDIS funding in your plan and you’re interested in getting more involved in your community, that’s a great place to start. Call us in WA on (08) 9279 4343 or in QLD on (07) 2800 6050.
Community participation support is available to any NDIS participant with community access or social participation funding in their plan. There’s no age limit and no requirement for a specific type of disability. If you’re not sure whether your plan includes this funding, your support coordinator or plan manager can help you check. You can also contact St Jude’s directly, and we’ll help you work it out.
Community participation support focuses on activities outside your home, such as social events, recreational programs, and community groups. In-home support covers assistance with daily tasks inside your home, like personal care, meal preparation, and household help. Many participants use both types of support, and your support coordinator can help you work out how they fit together in your plan.
Yes. Community participation is built around your interests and your NDIS goals. Your support worker will work with you to find activities you enjoy, and if something isn’t working or you want to try something different, you can change direction at any time. The focus is always on what matters to you.
Not usually. Community participation funding covers the support you need to take part, meaning your support worker’s time, rather than entry fees, class costs, or transport tickets. There are some exceptions, so it’s worth checking with your plan manager or support coordinator. Your support worker can also help you find free and low-cost activities in your area so your funding goes further.
The easiest way is to contact us. Call our team in WA on (08) 9279 4343 or in QLD on (07) 2800 6050, or visit our contact page. We’ll talk you through the process, ask about your goals and interests, and match you with a support worker. If you have a support coordinator, they can also make a referral on your behalf.
Contact us
If you or a loved one needs support, contact our friendly team today to find out how we can help you.