Social and recreation supports are key to the NDIS achieving its objective to support people with a disability to achieve independence, social and economic participation.

Social and recreational activities are part of everyday life. These are activities everybody does for fun and can help with your health and wellbeing. They can also help you to meet new people and improve your skills. When we talk about support for social and recreational activities funded under the NDIS, we mean the extra help you need to take part in these activities because of your disability. 

Social and recreation activities can include things like:

• Visiting your friends and family
• Active hobbies, such as bike riding, skiing, or kayaking
• Playing a sport, such as a tennis, surfing, or basketball
• Going out, for instance to the movies or a concert
• Going places for fun, such as shopping or visiting a museum
• Relaxing, like meditation or yoga
• Learning new skills, like dance, art classes, or quilting.

You will need to pay for the costs of the activity that everyone would pay for such as membership or entrance costs. We may then be able to fund the support you need to take part in the activity because of your disability.

You may need short-term support to help you get started with your social and recreational activities. This short-term support may build your skills so you can participate independently. Or, it could connect you with someone else who can regularly help you to participate. You might also need ongoing support to participating in social and recreation activities. If you need ongoing support we may fund this as well.

For example, you might need extra help to go to a pottery class because of your disability. You would need to pay for the cost of the class. We might fund a support worker to help you operate the pottery wheel if you need help because of your disability. Or, support you to attend a class if your disability means you can’t go on your own.