Participation is not an optional extra: proposed changes to community supports

The Government has announced an intention to reduce average NDIS spending on social and community participation from about $31,000 toward $26,000. These supports may enable people to attend work, sport, cultural activities, appointments, education and ordinary community life.

The replacement question

The Budget provides $200 million over three years for an Inclusive Communities Fund. The Parliamentary Library notes that this fund is still subject to design and consultation and does not automatically replace individualised support, transport or personal assistance.

Who may be affected

The associated impact analysis identified people with psychosocial disability, visual impairment, Down syndrome and intellectual disability as groups that may experience greater effects from reductions in participation expenditure.

Source log

Parliamentary Library Bills Digest: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2526/26bd065 Bill homepage: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7487 Last checked: 13 July 2026.

Reader action

Reader action: tell your representative what community participation support makes possible in ordinary life: work, study, appointments, sport, culture, volunteering, family and staying connected.

Next reads

Read next: Inside the NDIS Bill 2026 (https://www.ad.org.au/post/inside-the-ndis-bill-2026-five-schedules-that-could-reshape-the-scheme); Functional capacity and NDIS access (https://www.ad.org.au/post/functional-capacity-and-ndis-access-what-the-proposed-assessment-model-could-change); Email your MP and Senators (https://www.ad.org.au/post/email-your-mp-ndis-reform).