Skill-building camps and classes
NDIS Capacity Building support
Camps and classes where people build skills such as independence, social confidence and recreation in a supported setting.
The short answer
Skill-building camps and classes are programs where people build skills such as independence, social confidence and recreation in a supported group setting.
About Skill-building camps and classes
Camps and classes give people an intensive chance to learn and try new things. A camp might be a few days of activities such as cooking, teamwork, outdoor recreation and independence skills, while a class might run weekly on topics such as art, music, cooking or money skills.
The group setting adds an important element: people meet others, make friends and see what is possible. Staff and support workers help everyone take part, and activities are adapted to different abilities.
When choosing a program, look at what is on offer, who it is for and how it builds skills you want. Ask about staff-to-participant ratios, supervision, medication and personal care support, and what happens if someone becomes unwell or does not want to continue.
Who is this service for?
People who like to learn in a camp or class setting and want to build independence, social confidence or recreation skills.
What a typical session looks like
A camp or class brings people together for a period of learning and activity. A camp may run over several days and include outdoor activities, teamwork, cooking and independence skills. A class is usually a regular session focused on a particular skill, such as art, cooking, computers, money or sport.
Facilitators guide people through the activities, adapt tasks to different abilities and make sure everyone can take part. There is usually a mix of learning and fun, and the social side can be as valuable as the skills. Participants often leave with new friends, more confidence and ideas they can use at home.
Who delivers this support
Camps and classes are run by disability service providers, community organisations, sporting groups and educators. Staff should be trained and screened, and there should be enough of them to support everyone safely. Ask about the mix of participants, how needs such as medication and personal care are handled, and what the program includes.
How to choose a provider
- Check who the program is designed for, including age and support needs.
- Ask about staff numbers, training and supervision.
- Find out how personal care and medication are handled.
- Ask how they handle homesickness or someone wanting to leave.
- Ask how skills learned will be followed up afterwards.
Questions to ask a provider
- What will the camp or class cover, and who is it designed for?
- How many participants and staff are there?
- How do you manage personal care, medication and health needs?
- How do you support people who feel nervous or homesick?
- How will the skills be carried over into daily life?
- What is your safety and emergency procedure?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a camp that does not suit the person's age or interests.
- Not checking staff ratios and training.
- Not sharing health and support needs in advance.
- Not planning how skills will be practised afterwards.
- Not preparing the person for what to expect.
Getting started
- Decide what skills or experiences you want.
- Contact providers and ask for program details.
- Discuss support needs with the organisers.
- Prepare for the camp or class and plan how to practise afterwards.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Camps and classes complement one-to-one support, giving people a chance to practise skills in a group and meet others. They link with social activities, life skills programs and community access. It is worth asking how the skills learned will be carried over into everyday life.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Skill-building camps and classes 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
Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Skill-building camps and classes is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. 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 Skill-building camps and classes 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.
Life skills providers on the NDIS register
13,003 NDIS providers list life skills supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing life skills
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 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
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
- 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
See all 13,003 life skills providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (4,401)
- Victoria (3,825)
- Queensland (2,354)
- South Australia (1,257)
- Western Australia (1,066)
- Northern Territory (297)
- Australian Capital Territory (283)
- Tasmania (212)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (608)
- Melbourne, VIC (477)
- Sydney, NSW (348)
- Central Coast, NSW (282)
- Perth, WA (264)
- Blacktown, NSW (241)
- Adelaide, SA (237)
- Parramatta, NSW (234)
- Liverpool, NSW (213)
- Tarneit, VIC (198)
- Geelong, VIC (185)
- Ipswich, QLD (185)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Amazing Procare Toowoomba - 171 areas
- Allabilities Cares - 170 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 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
- Skill-building community access
- Social skills and relationship development
- Social work
- Specialised driver training
Frequently asked questions
What happens at a skill-building camp?
Participants take part in activities that build skills, such as independence, teamwork, social confidence and recreation, in a supported group setting.
Is support provided throughout?
Camps and classes usually include staff or support workers. Ask about the ratio of staff to participants and what help is available.
How do I choose a program?
Consider the activities, the age and needs of the group, the length and how the program builds skills you want to work on.
Is a camp suitable if I have never been away from home?
Many camps are designed for first-time participants. Ask how they support people and whether a short trial is possible.
Can I bring my own support worker?
Often yes. Ask the organisers.
What if I do not enjoy it?
Ask about the process for leaving early or changing activities.
What if I feel nervous about going to a camp?
That is understandable. Ask about visiting first, talk with staff about your concerns and start with a shorter program if you can.
Are camps only for young people?
No. There are camps and classes for different ages, so ask the provider who the program is designed for.
What should I pack for a camp?
The provider will give you a list, but usually it includes medication, comfortable clothes, any equipment you use and a few familiar items.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Skill-building camps and classes?
If Skill-building camps and classes 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 Skill-building camps and classes 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.