Increased social and community participation

What is increased social and community participation?

Increased social and community participation is an NDIS capacity building support category that funds supports to build a participant's skills and confidence to find and join community activities, make friends and become more independent in the community. It is numbered category 09 in support item numbers and, like all capacity building supports, it is stated: the funding can only be used for the supports described in the plan.

The NDIA describes it as funding "to help you find and join activities that interest you and connect you with other people in your area", including training to build social skills, making new friends, building a social network and increasing independence (NDIA: What are capacity building supports). In plain terms, it pays for learning to take part, rather than for someone to be with you every time you go out.

It's commonly shortened to "CB Social", "ISCP" or "community participation", which causes mix-ups with a different, larger core category. The next sections explain the difference.

What increased social and community participation covers

In the 2026–27 NDIS pricing schedule, category 09 contains two main kinds of support item (NDIA pricing arrangements):

• Skills development and training (registration group 0117): structured programs to build skills such as using public transport, joining a group, or managing social situations.
• Life transition planning, including mentoring, peer support and individual skill development (registration group 0106): short-term help through changes such as leaving school, moving house or returning to the community after hospital or a custodial setting.

These items are costed at the Disability Support Worker Level 3 rate, which the schedule uses for capacity-building work such as skills development and life transition planning. Look up current items and limits in the NDIS price guide.

What it can help a participant do, according to the NDIA:

• find and join community and hobby groups, sport or outdoor recreation;
• do training to build social skills;
• make new friends and build a social network;
• increase independence in the community.

What it doesn't pay for

The NDIA's social and recreation supports guideline is clear that participants pay the costs everyone pays: membership, registration and entrance fees, and standard equipment like a tennis racquet or soccer boots. It also doesn't fund participation at professional or elite level, or support for a young child where parents would normally be expected to stay. Adapted equipment for an activity is funded from capital, not from this category.

Increased social and community participation vs core community participation

Two categories have almost the same name. Core category 04, assistance with social, economic and community participation, pays for support during activities, such as a worker at a weekly class or a group program. Capacity building category 09, increased social and community participation, pays for building the skills and connections so the person needs less support over time.

Some everyday examples show where each kind of support usually sits:

These are typical placements based on NDIA guidance; the participant's plan decides what is actually funded and where.

The NDIA's guideline notes that it funds most social and recreation supports in the core budget. Category 09 tends to be smaller and time-limited, aimed at a specific change, such as learning to catch a bus to a club or connecting with a peer group, after which ongoing support may come from core, from informal supports, or not be needed at all.

How the funding works

Because it is a capacity building category, increased social and community participation is stated. The NDIA says you can't move capacity building funding between categories, and must buy the supports described against each category (NDIA). So:

• unused category 09 funding can't be moved to core community participation, or the other way round;
• the participant chooses the provider and how much of the described support to use, within the amount;
• the funding is released in funding periods, usually three months for new and reassessed plans;
• it can only buy NDIS supports related to the participant's disability and in line with their goals.

To be funded, the support must meet the usual criteria: related to the disability, helping the person pursue their goals, value for money, effective and beneficial, and not something family, friends or the community would reasonably provide. Community organisations must also make reasonable adjustments for people with disability, such as ramps or changed rules, which can reduce the paid support needed.

What providers should know

Providers delivering category 09 supports are funded to build capacity, so the NDIA will look for change. Set clear, time-limited outcomes with the participant, such as travelling to an activity independently or joining a group without a worker, and put the agreed supports, hours and price in the service agreement. Keep progress notes and a short report against the participant's goals; these are the evidence a planner uses at the next plan. Claim only category 09 items against this funding, and don't claim it for the same time as a core community participation support.

Changes in 2026

From 1 October 2026, the NDIA is progressively reducing budgets for two categories: social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills, as plans are created or reassessed, and from 1 February 2027 as plans are renewed. The NDIA says the reductions don't apply to any other support categories (NDIA: What is an NDIS plan). The published list of excluded support items covers categories 04 and 15 only, which indicates that the reduced community category is the core category 04, not capacity building category 09 (NDIA: Changes to support budgets from 1 October). Because the names are so similar, check how your own plan labels each amount and ask the NDIA if it isn't clear.

The Securing the NDIS reforms also include consultation on market reforms for social and community participation and capacity building activities, and on the design of an Inclusive Communities Fund (NDIA: Securing the NDIS for future generations). Outcomes of that consultation weren't settled as of October 2026.

Common mistakes

• Using it for ongoing outings. A worker at every weekly activity is usually core 04, not capacity building 09.
• Paying activity fees from the plan. Memberships, tickets and standard equipment are the participant's cost.
• Moving money between the two community categories. Category 09 is stated and can't be swapped with core.
• No measurable goal. Without a clear skill or connection to build, progress is hard to show at the next plan.
• Assuming it was cut in October 2026. The reductions named the core community participation category; check your plan's labels.