Social and recreation activities
NDIS Core support
Activities that help people enjoy leisure time and connect with others, such as sport, hobbies, social groups and outings.
The short answer
Social and recreation activities help you enjoy your leisure time and connect with others through sport, hobbies, social groups and outings.
About Social and recreation activities
Time spent doing things you enjoy with people you like is central to wellbeing. Social and recreation supports help make that possible. They might involve going to a movie, joining a walking group, taking part in a sport, attending a social club or trying a new hobby.
Some people prefer group activities, others prefer one-to-one, and many like a mix. You should have a real say in what you do, and providers should listen when your interests change. Good programs offer variety and let you try things before deciding.
Think about the practicalities too, such as transport, costs of activities, timing and how support will be arranged. A provider can help you plan, and you can review it often to make sure it is still right for you.
Who is this service for?
People who want to enjoy leisure time and connect with others through sport, hobbies, social groups and outings.
What a typical session looks like
Social and recreation activities are the fun part of life: a movie night, a sports team, a walking group, a craft class, a trip to the beach or a meal with friends. A worker or group leader helps to make it possible, by organising the activity, providing transport or helping with communication and personal care.
Some activities are run for groups of people with disability, and others are in mainstream community groups with a support worker helping you take part. Either way, the focus is on enjoyment, friendship and trying things. Most people find that regular contact with others makes them feel more connected.
Who delivers this support
Activities are organised by disability providers, community groups, clubs and councils. Support workers help people take part in mainstream activities, and coordinators help find activities that fit your interests. Ask about the range of activities and whether you can try one before signing up.
How to choose a provider
- Ask how you can choose or suggest activities.
- Find out how transport to and from activities is arranged.
- Check who covers the cost of activities.
- Ask about the group size and how people are supported.
- Ask how you can change your mind.
Questions to ask a provider
- What activities are on offer, and can I suggest my own?
- Can I try an activity before committing?
- How does the group support people with different needs?
- How does transport work for getting there and back?
- How do you help people make friends?
- How much notice do you need for changes or cancellations?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Joining only because a friend did, without checking that you like the activity.
- Not asking about the costs of activities, such as tickets and food.
- Overlooking transport.
- Giving up after the first session because it feels awkward.
- Sticking to the same group when you want something new.
Getting started
- List activities you enjoy or would like to try.
- Talk to providers about what they offer.
- Try a few and see what you like.
- Review regularly and change activities as your interests change.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Social and recreation activities link with community access, transport, group programs and recreation equipment. Being part of a group can also lead to friendships and roles in the community. It is worth thinking about your interests, and whether a mix of group and individual activities would suit you.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Social and recreation 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 Social and recreation 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 Social and recreation 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
- Specialised transport
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Supported holidays and camps
- Transport to activities and appointments
Frequently asked questions
What activities can I take part in?
Anything that helps you enjoy your time and meet people, such as sport, arts, social groups, games, outings and hobbies.
Can I take part with friends?
Often, yes. Some people go with friends or join a group, and others prefer one-to-one support. Tell your provider what you prefer.
What should I ask a social and recreation provider?
Ask what activities they offer, how you can choose or suggest activities, how transport works and how they support your safety and wellbeing.
Can I go with a friend?
Often yes. Ask the provider how it works.
What if I want to try something unusual?
Tell the provider. Many are happy to explore new ideas.
Are activities always in a group?
No. Support can be one-to-one or in a group, depending on your preference.
Can I join an ordinary community group with a support worker?
Yes, and many people do. A worker helps you take part, and over time you may need less support as you get to know others.
What if I do not know what I like?
Try a few different things. A coordinator or worker can suggest options and help you try them out.
Who pays for the activity itself?
Usually the person pays for tickets, fees and food, while the support pays for the help you receive. Check with the provider so it is clear.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Social and recreation activities?
If Social and recreation 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 Social and recreation 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.