Including Sport & Recreation in Your NDIS Plan

A Step-by-Step Guide by Rebound WA

Why It Matters

Sport and recreation are powerful tools for improving physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection — especially for people with physical disabilities. At Rebound WA, we’ve seen firsthand how the right activity can boost confidence, independence, and quality of life.

Thanks to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), people with permanent and significant disabilities now have greater access to the supports needed to live active, engaged lives. Fully rolled out in WA since 2020, the NDIS can help fund sport and recreation — but only if you include it in your plan.

Is This Guide for You?

✔ You’ve been approved for the NDIS
✔ You’re preparing for your first planning meeting — or a plan review
✔ You want to include sport or recreational activities in your plan

If that sounds like you, this guide will walk you through how to make it happen.

1. Explore Your Sport & Recreation Options

Already involved in sport? Want to try something new?

▶ Follow us on Facebook or contact Rebound WA for help finding inclusive sports across WA.
▶ Become a free member of Rebound WA to stay updated on opportunities, events, and programs.

2. Identify Your Support Needs

Ask yourself:

  • What equipment do I need to participate?

  • How will I get to and from training or games?

  • Will I need a support worker or help during the activity?

Here’s how to prepare:

a. Equipment

NDIS may fund items under “Assistive Technology” or “Assistive Equipment for Recreation”.
Examples include:

  • Sports wheelchairs

  • Prosthetics for sport

  • Modifications to existing equipment

📌 Note: You’ll need a goal in your plan that links directly to the equipment you're requesting. You may also need a report from a physio or OT.
👉 Rebound WA can help with short-term hire of some sports equipment.

b. Transport

Think about how you’ll travel to and from your sport:

  • Public transport

  • Carers/family

  • Community transport

NDIS may fund transport, especially for participants who are studying, working, or attending regular community activities.

Learn more about NDIS transport supports

c. Support Needs

Will you need assistance during the activity?

  • Medication management

  • Bathroom support

  • Mobility or physical assistance

NDIS can fund support workers if their presence is essential for your participation.

3. Fit Sport into Your Weekly Life

Think about how sport fits into your week.

  • Use a weekly schedule template to map your typical week.

  • Add in the sport or recreation you’d like to do regularly.

The clearer you are, the easier it is for planners to see the role it plays in your life.

📌 NDIS generally doesn’t fund the activity itself — but will fund supports, equipment, or transport that enable participation.

4. Link Activities to Your NDIS Goals

To be funded, sport and recreation must be tied to one or more of your NDIS goals.

Common goal categories:

  • Social & Community Participation

  • Health & Wellbeing

  • Relationships

📝 Example:
Activity: I want to join a wheelchair rugby team
Goal: To improve my fitness (health & wellbeing) and make new friends (social participation)

👉 Use a goal template to write clear, specific goals.

5. Collect Supporting Information

Bring as much relevant documentation as possible to your planning meeting:

  • Quotes for equipment or transport

  • Letters or reports from allied health professionals (OT, physio, etc.)

  • Program flyers or info from clubs

🗂 Use our checklist to make sure you’re ready.

6. Final Tips

a. Bring an Advocate

If you’re not confident speaking up for yourself, take someone who can support you — a family member, friend, or independent advocate.

b. Not happy with your plan?

You can ask for a review or appeal decisions. Contact the NDIS or your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to learn how.

c. Remember: Sport Is More Than Just Fun

Sport can:

  • Improve fitness, strength, and coordination

  • Boost mental health and reduce isolation

  • Build friendships and self-confidence

  • Help you reconnect with your community

This aligns with the vision of pioneers like Sir George Bedbrook and Johnno Johnson, who championed the use of sport in rehabilitation as early as the 1950s — a philosophy Rebound WA continues to uphold today.

Need Support?

📧 Contact us at: getactive@reboundwa.com
🌐 Website: www.reboundwa.com

We’d love your feedback on this guide and your experience including sport and recreation in your plan.

Additional Resources

This guide was developed by:

Rebound WA, adapted from original work by Disability Sport & Recreation, with contributions from Mark Topic, Sophie Lynch, and Monash University, and support from the Melville/Fremantle Peer to Peer Network.