Staying Connected as Community Participation Funding is Cut

For many people and families accessing the NDIS, community participation is about far more than social outings.

It is about connection, confidence, independence and feeling part of everyday life.

As changes continue across the NDIS, you may be wondering what this could mean for your ability to stay active and connected within your community. From October 2026, community participation funding is expected to reduce for many people as the scheme shifts toward a different model of support and inclusion.

At the same time, the government has announced a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund designed to help mainstream organisations create more accessible community opportunities.

While these changes are intended to increase inclusion, many people and families are concerned about what the transition period may look like in practice, particularly when it comes to maintaining the activities, routines and social connections that support wellbeing and quality of life.

Those concerns are real and understandable.

Community participation is not simply a “nice to have.” For many people, it plays a vital role in reducing isolation, supporting mental health, building confidence and maintaining independence. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and there are practical ways to stay connected with tighter budgets.

Why Community Participation Matters So Much

Social and community participation supports have been one of the fastest growing parts of the NDIS and have helped people:

• attend community activities
• participate in hobbies and group programs
• access sport and recreation
• build confidence and social skills
• maintain friendships and routine
• reduce loneliness and isolation

When participation decreases, the impacts are often felt far beyond social life alone. Confidence, physical wellbeing, mental health and independence can all be affected.

The new Inclusive Communities Fund aims to rebuild capability in mainstream organisations so they can host “genuine participation activities.” That’s a worthwhile goal, but it shifts power away from you deciding how and when you participate, and puts it in the hands of organisations that may take time to adapt. This can create an immediate gap between what your plan used to cover and what’s realistically available in your local area right now.

Practical Ways to Stay Connected with Lower Funding

The key is shifting from volume of support to impact and independence. Here’s how participants we work with are already adapting successfully:

Focus on high-value, goal-driven activities

Rather than spreading supports thinly across multiple short outings, many people are prioritising fewer, more meaningful activities that build confidence, independence and genuine connection.

Explore local and low-cost opportunities

Libraries, walking groups, community centres, sporting clubs and local programs can provide valuable social connection at little or no cost, particularly as many organisations work toward becoming more inclusive. The challenge is getting there safely and confidently.

Build skills that support independence

Therapy that improves mobility, communication, or social confidence can help reduce reliance on one-to-one support over time and make community participation feel more achievable.

Combine supports smartly

Activities that support physical health, social connection and practical skill development at the same time can create stronger outcomes and better value from available supports.

How Physio Inq Helps Participants Stay Connected

At Physio Inq, we provide mobile, in-home and community-based allied health services designed to support you in real-world environments and everyday life.

Our multidisciplinary team works together across physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and exercise physiology to help you build confidence, independence and participation in the community.

• Physiotherapy focuses on mobility and confidence so you can get out and about safely. Whether it’s improving balance, building endurance, or learning to use new equipment, we make sure physical barriers don’t stop you from participating.
• Occupational Therapy builds the practical social and daily-living skills that turn an outing into a positive experience — from planning a trip, managing anxiety in new environments, to using public transport or navigating social situations.
• Speech Pathology strengthens communication confidence, whether that’s practising conversation skills, using AAC devices in group settings, or feeling more comfortable ordering a coffee or joining a club.
• Exercise Physiology is all about getting you out into the real community for meaningful, individualised exercise. Our Exercise Physiologists work with you in local parks, pools, gyms or walking tracks to build fitness, health and independence. They help you join community exercise options (or create your own routine) so you can maintain activity long-term without relying on paid support workers every time.

Because our clinicians work collaboratively, supports can be tailored around the goals that matter most to you.

For example, if you are working toward attending a local community group, your support may combine:

• physiotherapy to improve mobility and endurance
• occupational therapy to build confidence navigating the environment
• speech pathology to strengthen communication skills
• exercise physiology to improve fitness and participation tolerance This integrated approach helps you build practical confidence in ways that directly support everyday life.

Building Confidence Through Change

The NDIS continues to evolve, and you and your family may still be adjusting to what those changes mean in practice.

But staying connected, active and involved in your community still matters, and with the right support, it remains achievable.

At Physio Inq, we focus on practical, person-centred therapy that helps you build confidence, strengthen independence and stay connected to the people and places that matter most. We listen first, then co-create practical, outcome-focused programs that make the most of your budget, reduce reliance where possible, and keep you connected to the people and places that matter.

If you would like support navigating these changes or making the most of your current plan, our team is here to help.

Next Steps

Call 1300 731 733 or contact us to chat to our team about how we can support you to stay connected

Date Published: Thursday, May 21, 2026