Group and centre-based activities
NDIS Core support
Activities run for a group at a centre or community venue, such as social programs, skill-building sessions and recreation, with support workers on hand.
The short answer
Group and centre-based activities are planned programs at a centre or community venue, such as social sessions, skill-building and recreation, with support workers on hand to help.
About Group and centre-based activities
Centre-based programs offer a regular place to go, people to see and things to do. Activities vary widely: cooking and craft, music, sport, computer classes, social outings and life skills sessions. Support workers help people take part and provide personal care when needed.
These programs can be a good fit for people who enjoy company and routine, or whose families need reliable daytime support. Others prefer to spend their time in the wider community, and for them one-to-one community access may suit better. Some people combine the two.
The best programs are built around what participants want to do, rather than a fixed timetable. Visiting, asking to try a session, and talking to people who attend can help you decide, and a good provider will welcome the chance to show you around.
Who is this service for?
People who enjoy taking part in group programs at a centre or community venue, such as social sessions, skill-building and recreation.
What a typical session looks like
A group or centre-based program usually runs on a schedule, with a mix of activities such as arts, cooking, exercise, games, outings and skills sessions. Participants arrive at set times, take part in the activities that interest them and are supported by staff and volunteers who help with anything from personal care to communication.
A good program is more than a place to spend the day. It offers choice, respects individual goals and helps people meet friends and try new things. Staff adjust activities to suit the group and to make sure people who need more support are included.
Who delivers this support
Group and centre programs are run by disability service providers and community organisations. Staff are usually support workers and activity coordinators, sometimes with therapists and nurses involved. Ask about staff ratios, training and how the program supports people with different needs at the same time.
How to choose a provider
- Visit and ask to try a session before committing.
- Look at the range of activities and whether participants have a say in choosing them.
- Ask about staff numbers, training and how they support people with different needs.
- Check how the centre supports personal care, medication and meals.
- Ask how transport to and from the centre is arranged.
Questions to ask a provider
- What activities are on offer, and can I help choose them?
- How many participants and staff are there, and what is the mix of needs?
- How do you support people who need help with personal care or communication?
- How do you make sure the program connects with my goals?
- How does transport work for getting to and from the centre?
- What is your approach to safety, including emergencies and medication?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a program on convenience alone without visiting or trying it first.
- Not checking whether the mix of participants suits you.
- Expecting the program to meet individual goals without discussing them.
- Overlooking transport, which can make or break attendance.
- Not reviewing whether the program is still right after a while.
Getting started
- Write down what you would like to do and who you would like to meet.
- Contact providers and arrange a visit.
- Try a session and see how it feels.
- Agree days, activities and a review date in a service agreement.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Group activities complement one-to-one community access, transport and skill-building. Some people like a mix, using the group for social contact and individual support for community outings. It is important that the program has a purpose that connects with your goals, such as building friendships or trying new skills, and not just filling time.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Group and centre-based activities if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Core supports help with everyday activities and are usually the most flexible part of an NDIS plan. If Group and centre-based activities is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Core budget. Your plan shows how much you have and how it can be used. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Group and centre-based activities that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Community access providers on the NDIS register
15,301 NDIS providers list community access supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing community access
- 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 10 Winchester Farm - NSW; includes Piggabeen, NSW
See all 15,301 community access providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (5,202)
- Victoria (4,426)
- Queensland (2,760)
- South Australia (1,458)
- Western Australia (1,251)
- Northern Territory (343)
- Australian Capital Territory (334)
- Tasmania (272)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (636)
- Melbourne, VIC (494)
- Sydney, NSW (385)
- Central Coast, NSW (313)
- Perth, WA (297)
- Adelaide, SA (262)
- Blacktown, NSW (258)
- Parramatta, NSW (242)
- Liverpool, NSW (224)
- Tarneit, VIC (206)
- Canberra, ACT (192)
- Geelong, VIC (191)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- High-intensity personal care
- House cleaning and household tasks
- Household management
- Innovative community participation
Frequently asked questions
What happens at a centre-based activity?
People take part in planned activities with others, such as social groups, arts, cooking or skill-building sessions, with support workers on hand to help.
How do I choose a good program?
Visit if you can, and look at the mix of activities, group sizes, staff and whether the program reflects what you want to do rather than a fixed timetable.
Can I change my mind if it is not right for me?
Your service agreement should explain how to give notice or change the support. Check the terms before you start.
Can I go just a few days a week?
Often yes. Many people combine centre-based activities with other supports. Ask about flexible arrangements.
What if I do not like the activities?
Talk to the staff. Good providers change what they offer based on what participants say.
Is there a minimum notice for cancellations?
Check the service agreement, since rules differ between providers.
Can I visit a centre before I decide?
Yes, and it is a good idea. Many providers offer a visit or trial session so you can see the activities and meet staff and other participants.
Can I take part in some activities but not others?
Usually yes. Programs are meant to offer choice, so ask how you can tailor your participation.
Is centre-based support the same as day programs?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but programs differ in what they offer. Ask what a typical day looks like at the service you are considering.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Group and centre-based activities?
If Group and centre-based activities is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Group and centre-based activities provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.