Innovative community participation
NDIS Core support
Support for new or creative ways of taking part in the community, going beyond standard programs to suit what the person wants to do.
The short answer
Innovative community participation is support to take part in the community in new or creative ways that suit what you want to do, beyond standard programs.
About Innovative community participation
Not everyone wants a weekly group outing or a standard day program. Innovative approaches start with the person: what they love, what they are curious about and what they would like to try. That might mean starting a small business, joining a band, volunteering in an unusual place, learning a craft or building a project with friends.
Because each plan is different, the support is designed from scratch. A provider works with you to shape the idea, find the people and places that can make it happen and provide the practical support that lets you take part. It often involves working with community groups and local businesses, not only with disability services.
Success is measured by what matters to you, such as new friendships, new skills or a real role in your community. Good providers explain how they will review progress, and are honest when an idea needs to change.
Who is this service for?
People who want to take part in the community in new or creative ways that go beyond standard programs.
What a typical session looks like
Innovative community participation is built around something new or different that fits what you want to do, rather than a standard program. It might be a group project, a mentored activity, a volunteering role, a creative idea or a course that connects you with people who share your interests. The support is designed with you, and it may look different from anything else on offer.
A worker or coordinator helps you get started, sorts out practical details and keeps in touch about how it is going. Where possible, the aim is to build natural connections in the community so you can keep going without paid support, for example by joining a local club or getting to know neighbours who share your interest.
Who delivers this support
Support might come from providers with a flexible approach, community organisations, mentors and support workers. Because the idea is tailored, the most useful person is often someone who listens carefully, is creative about options and knows the local community. Ask providers to describe similar things they have helped people do, and how they keep the person in charge of the idea.
How to choose a provider
- Ask for examples of similar projects the provider has supported.
- Find out how they will help you shape an idea into a plan.
- Ask how they work with local groups and businesses.
- Check how they will review whether it is working.
- Ask how they handle it if the idea needs to change.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will you help me turn my idea into a real activity?
- Have you supported similar projects, and what did they involve?
- How will you help me connect with others in the community, not just other participants?
- How will the activity continue if the support reduces?
- How will we know whether it is working for me?
- What happens if we find the idea needs to change?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing an activity to please others instead of yourself.
- Making the plan so rigid that there is no room to change it.
- Relying only on paid support and not building natural connections.
- Not thinking about transport and other practical barriers.
- Not reviewing whether the activity is still what you want.
Getting started
- Write down what you would love to try.
- Talk to your planner or support coordinator about how it might fit your plan.
- Speak to providers who like to work creatively.
- Agree a small first step and a date to review.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
This kind of support links with community access, social activities and skill-building, and it can grow out of any of them. It suits people who have a clear interest or goal, but it also works for those who are still finding out what they enjoy. It is good to plan how the activity will continue over time and how success will be judged, so it does not fade once the initial support ends.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Innovative community participation 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 Innovative community participation 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 Innovative community participation 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
Frequently asked questions
What counts as innovative community participation?
Creative ways of taking part that suit what the person wants to do, for example a personalised project, a new group or an activity that a standard program does not offer.
How is it different from ordinary community access?
It is designed around one person's interests rather than a set program, so the plan can be more flexible and individual.
What should I ask about innovative community participation?
Ask about their experience with similar projects, how they will measure whether it is working and how the activity will be reviewed and changed over time.
Do I need a fully formed idea?
No. A good provider helps you explore possibilities and turn them into a plan.
Can it involve friends?
Often yes. Taking part with people you know can make it easier and more enjoyable.
What if the idea does not work out?
That is a normal part of trying new things. A good provider helps you learn from it and try another approach.
What makes a community activity innovative?
It is tailored to the individual and often goes beyond standard programs, for example by starting a new group, learning an unusual skill or contributing in a way that reflects a person's interests.
Do I need a fixed idea before I start?
No. Many people begin with a general interest, and a worker helps to explore options and try things out until something feels right.
Can family and friends be part of the activity?
Often yes, and their involvement can help it last. Talk about who you would like to include and how.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Innovative community participation?
If Innovative community participation 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 Innovative community participation 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.