NDIS Community Access on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast: What It Is and How It Works
Updated: 4 days ago
NDIS community access is one of the most used supports in the scheme, and one of the most misunderstood. It isn't just about getting out of the house. Done well, community access builds confidence, friendships, independence and a sense of belonging in the place you live.
This guide explains what NDIS community access is, what it can be used for, the choice between 1:1 and group support, what the 2026 changes mean, and what community access looks like on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
What is NDIS community access?
Community access is the everyday name for what the NDIS calls Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation. It is funded from the Core part of a plan, and you will also hear it called community participation, social support or community-based support. It all means the same thing: a support worker helping someone take part in community life in a way that builds their skills and confidence. For how it is billed and whether you need approval, see our guide to using Core funding for community access.
What community access can be used for
Community access can support almost any activity in the community that links to a participant's goals, such as:
Visiting shops, cafes, libraries, parks and beaches
Learning to catch public transport
Joining a social group, class, club or sport
Volunteering or trying out new interests
Meeting up with friends and building new friendships
Practising everyday skills like ordering, paying and asking for help
The NDIS funds the support worker's time, not the cost of the activity itself, so entry fees, tickets and meals are usually paid by the participant. A Queensland Companion Card can mean free entry for the support person at participating venues.
Who community access suits
Community access suits people of all ages and abilities, including teens and young adults finishing school, adults who want more independence, and people with autism, intellectual disability, psychosocial disability or physical disability. What matters is matching the support to the person: their goals, interests, energy levels and what makes them comfortable.
1:1 community access
With 1:1 support, a support worker works with one person on their own goals, at their own pace. It suits people who are new to services, find groups overwhelming, or are working on a specific skill. A consistent worker who gets to know the person well makes a big difference. Read more about our 1:1 NDIS support.
Group community access
Group programs give people a regular routine, a group of peers, and a chance to practise social skills in real settings. Because the cost of a support worker is shared, groups also stretch a budget further than the same hours of 1:1. Our guide to NDIS group support vs 1:1 explains how to get the right mix.
Community access and the 2026 NDIS changes
From 1 October 2026, Core funding for Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation is reduced by 50% when a new plan starts or a plan is reassessed, and from 1 February 2027 when a plan is renewed. Some supports, such as high intensity supports and supports in employment, are carved out. If your community access hours have been cut, a mix of group programs and fewer 1:1 hours can keep support going for longer. Our post on the 1 October NDIS changes explains what is changing, and our guide to keeping friendships going with less funded time has practical ideas. Some skill-focused programs may also be claimable from a separate Capacity Building budget, explained in our spotlight on Increased Social and Community Participation.
Community access on the Gold Coast
Our Gold Coast team works from our Hub in Nerang and provides community access across the Gold Coast, including Southport, Helensvale, Robina, Coomera and surrounding suburbs. Outings might include the beach, local markets, libraries, sport, council recreation programs or simply a regular cafe catch-up.
Our Gold Coast group programs include Skill Space, Girl Squad, Social & Skills and Cook. Learn. Thrive.. For outing ideas, see our Gold Coast Inclusive Activity Directory and our guide to accessible recreation programs on the Gold Coast.
Community access on the Sunshine Coast
On the Sunshine Coast, we work from our studio in Moffat Beach and provide community access across the coast, including Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and surrounding suburbs.
Our Sunshine Coast groups include Fun Friday, ThunderBolts, Craft Group, Ladies Lunch and the Men’s Group. For outing ideas, see our guide to accessible activities on the Sunshine Coast, including beach wheelchairs, all abilities parks and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast.
Choosing a community access provider
When you compare providers, ask about:
Whether you will have consistent support workers
How they match workers to participants
Group sizes and how groups are structured
How outings link back to the participant's goals
How they report on progress
Our guides to choosing a provider on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast go into more detail. See also our community access and participation service page and all our NDIS group programs.
Looking for community access on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast?
We are happy to talk through 1:1 and group options and what will make the most of a plan.
Gold Coast: call Carli on 0437 903 866. Sunshine Coast: call Angela on 0437 170 386. Or get in touch online.
Information current as at 6 November 2026. NDIS rules are changing, so check with your plan manager or the NDIS before acting.
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