NDIS Community Participation Funding Changes: How Melbourne Participants Can Prepare
From 1 October 2026, the NDIS is resetting budgets for social, civic and community participation supports. If you use this funding for group activities, community outings, social programs or skill-building outside the home, you need to understand what's changing.
What's being reduced?
Budget allocations for social, civic and community participation supports (Core Supports, Category 4) will be reduced by around 50 per cent. Capacity building daily activity allocations will be reduced by around 10 per cent. The Government says this will bring average spending back to 2023 levels, with average participant budgets in this category expected to drop from about $31,000 to around $26,000.
When does it happen?
The reset takes effect from 1 October 2026, but it won't change every plan on the same day. The reduction will be applied progressively as participants' plans are reviewed or renewed, phasing in over about 12 months.
What's not affected?
The Government has confirmed that supports essential to critical care and daily living needs are not affected. Personal care, in-home support, and other daily living assistance funding stays the same.
The Inclusive Communities Fund
To support genuine community inclusion, the Government is establishing a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund. The details are being designed in consultation with the disability community, and the fund aims to rebuild capability among community organisations to host participation activities.
What you can do now
If you have unspent community participation funding in your current plan, now is the time to use it. Log into myplace.ndis.gov.au, check your Category 4 balance, and see how much you've spent versus how much is allocated.
Talk to your support coordinator or plan manager about booking activities and programs before your next plan review. If you've been putting off using community participation funding, treat October 2026 as a deadline to start.
When your plan review does come up, prepare evidence for why community participation is important for your goals. Document the activities you attend, the skills you're building, and the social connections you're maintaining. This evidence will help your planner understand why this funding matters to your progress.
How Mirai Wellbeing can help
Our team at Mirai Wellbeing helps participants in Melbourne make the most of their community participation funding. Whether you need support attending social events, joining community groups, or building life skills in the community, we can help you use your funding before changes take effect.
Contact us to discuss your plan and how we can help you stay connected and active in your community.
