What Can I Use NDIS Social and Civic Funds For When I Have Mobility Issues?

Social, community and civic participation funding under the NDIS (often shown as “Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation” in the Core Supports budget) pays for supports that help you take part in community, social, and recreational activities—like a support worker to assist you during outings. If you have mobility issues, this can also include transport supports (depending on how your plan is set up) so you can actually get to and from activities.

However, the mobility aids themselves—like wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers—are usually funded under Assistive Technology (and may sit in different parts of your plan depending on cost and complexity). Understanding which category funds what helps you avoid common “wrong budget” problems and get out of the house more often.

What Social and Community Participation Funding Actually Covers

Social and community participation funding is designed to reduce isolation and build community connections. It pays for:

• Support worker hours during activities (going to a café, attending a hobby group, visiting a museum, volunteering at a community garden), under Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation.

• Transport to and from activities, where funded and appropriate (e.g., provider transport under Core “Transport,” or recurring transport in plans that include it). See the NDIS definitions of Core “Transport” and “Transport Recurring” and the NDIA’s overview of transport funding.

• Short-term equipment hire for a specific outing when it’s funded as an Assistive Technology trial or rental (for example, hiring a beach wheelchair for a day trip), under Assistive Technology – Maintenance, Repair & Rental.

It does not typically fund the purchase of everyday mobility equipment. A lightweight wheelchair for social outings, a travel scooter for shopping centres, or a rollator seat walker are generally classed as Assistive Technology rather than “Social and Civic” participation funding.

Also, you’ll usually need to pay the costs that everyone would pay for an activity—like membership or entrance costs—even if you get NDIS-funded support to participate. See the NDIA’s guideline on social and recreation support and the NDIA list of supports that are not ‘NDIS supports’.

Are Core and Capacity Building Social and Civic the Same?

No. Core Supports—Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation is flexible day-to-day funding for supports that help you take part in community and social activities. See the NDIA’s Core category definition for Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation.

Capacity Building—Increased Social & Community Participation is for skill-building supports that develop your independence in accessing the community—often time-limited programs like coaching or training. The NDIA describes this category as skills-based learning to develop independence in accessing the community.

If your plan statement says “Social and Civic” without specifying, check your Service Booking or ask your Local Area Coordinator which category applies, because spending rules differ.

Equipment to Help You Get Out of the House: What the NDIS Funds and How

Participants often post “I’ve got $12,000 in Social and Civic money but I’m stuck at home because I can’t walk far.” The real barrier is often missing Assistive Technology, not missing activity funding.

Scenario one—joining a weekly art class:
Your plan funds a lightweight wheelchair (Assistive Technology) so you can sit comfortably for two hours. Participation funding then pays the support worker who helps you attend and participate, plus transport where funded and appropriate. (How AT sits in your plan can depend on cost—see the NDIA definitions for Assistive Technology and low-cost AT in Consumables.)

Scenario two—shopping centre outings:
A compact travel scooter (Assistive Technology) lets you navigate a large shopping centre independently. Your participation budget can cover a support worker for the first few trips to build your confidence.

In each case, the equipment makes the outing feasible; the participation funding makes it happen—as long as each support meets the NDIA’s reasonable and necessary criteria.

Practical Ideas for Using Your Social and Community Participation Budget

Once you have the right mobility aid, common ways participants with mobility limitations use this funding include:

• Attending religious services or cultural events with a support worker.

• Joining hobby groups (book club, model-building, gardening) where the worker assists with setup and participation.

• Volunteering at animal shelters, op shops, or community kitchens—supported to contribute, not just consume.

• Regular café or restaurant outings to maintain friendships.

• Gym or hydrotherapy sessions (support worker hours and support to attend) [note: activity memberships/entry costs are generally paid by you] (see social and recreation support).

• Accessible day trips (botanic gardens, beach, regional towns) with transport and one-on-one support.

How Specialist Providers Like Auswaycare Can Help

Providers and suppliers like Auswaycare may be able to help you identify suitable mobility aids and prepare quotes so you can request the right item under Assistive Technology, while keeping your participation budget for the supports that help you use it in the community (like support worker time under Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation). This clarity can reduce category mix-ups and help you spend less time confused online and more time actually out in your community.