COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Develop & Deliver High-Quality NDIS Day Programs course. This program has been designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and compliance understanding required to design, implement, and evaluate engaging, participant-centred NDIS day programs that deliver meaningful outcomes and align with best-practice standards.

NDIS day programs play an essential role in supporting the goals, independence, and wellbeing of people with disability. This course begins by introducing the role of day programs within the NDIS framework, the key models and features of modern program design, and the principles of participant rights, choice, and control. It also examines the responsibilities of NDIS providers in delivering safe, responsive, and inclusive daily supports that promote dignity, skill development, and genuine participation.

The purpose of NDIS day programs is to provide structure, learning, and social engagement for participants. This section explores how to develop goal-focused daily activities, establish supportive environments, and align program delivery with participant NDIS plans. Learners consider how day programs foster independence, communication, and positive routines, while providing appropriate supervision and support for individuals with higher or complex needs.

High-quality day programs offer significant benefits to participants and their communities. This section outlines the social, emotional, and developmental advantages of participation, including skill growth, confidence, community inclusion, and physical wellbeing. Learners also explore how consistent engagement promotes social connection, motivation, and respite for families and carers.

Independent living and daily life skills form the foundation of many day program activities. This section covers key areas such as cooking and nutrition, personal hygiene, budgeting, travel training, technology use, and household management. Learners review how structured daily routines build functional independence and transferable skills that support long-term goals.

Social and community participation is a vital aspect of inclusion. This section examines strategies for organising social outings, group events, cultural experiences, and community volunteering opportunities that strengthen belonging and peer connection while supporting NDIS social participation goals.

Creative, recreational, and sensory activities support self-expression and emotional regulation. This section explores how art, music, dance, gardening, and sensory experiences contribute to participant wellbeing, personal identity, and cognitive engagement, particularly for individuals with sensory processing needs or autism spectrum conditions.

Health, fitness, and wellbeing activities promote holistic participant development. This section discusses exercise, mindfulness, swimming, walking groups, and wellbeing workshops that improve mental health, resilience, and daily functioning. Learners explore how to tailor activities to participant abilities and preferences.

Cognitive and communication skill development enhances daily participation and self-advocacy. This section covers cognitive exercises, literacy and numeracy practice, social-skills training, goal-setting, and behaviour-support strategies that promote empowerment and personal growth.

Workplace and vocational readiness activities bridge the gap between learning and employment. This section examines how to incorporate supported vocational tasks, workplace-behaviour training, and employability-focused sessions that build confidence, responsibility, and job-readiness.

Outdoor and nature-based activities provide opportunities for sensory enrichment and wellbeing. This section highlights bushwalking, community gardening, and environmental projects that encourage engagement with nature, support physical activity, and foster environmental awareness.

Eligibility and funding underpin participant access to day programs. This section outlines NDIS eligibility, funding categories such as Core and Capacity Building Supports, ratios, transport provisions, and how participants can gain funding approval for program participation.

Developing and delivering a successful NDIS day program requires structured planning. This section details how to conduct needs assessments and market analyses, define program outcomes, design evidence-informed models, develop compliant policies and procedures, recruit and train staff, and create safe, inclusive environments. Learners examine how to implement participant-centred approaches that reflect individual goals, preferences, and abilities.

Monitoring and continuous improvement ensure programs remain effective and compliant. This section explores recordkeeping of daily notes, progress tracking, formal review processes, feedback collection, and data-driven analysis to identify areas for improvement. Learners also review how to integrate innovations, technology, and evidence-based practice to enhance quality and participant satisfaction.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical frameworks to design, deliver, and evaluate NDIS day programs that are safe, inclusive, goal-driven, and compliant—enabling participants to build skills, strengthen independence, and thrive in their daily lives.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to NDIS Day Programs

·       Understanding the Role of Day Programs in the NDIS Framework

·       Key Features and Models of Contemporary Day Programs

·       Participant Rights, Choice, and Control in Program Participation

·       Responsibilities of NDIS Providers in Delivering Daily Supports

2. Purpose of NDIS Day Programs

·       Providing Structured and Goal-Focused Daily Activities

·       Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments

·       Aligning Program Activities With Participant NDIS Goals

·       Building Real-World Communication and Social Skills

·       Promoting Consistent Routines and Positive Daily Habits

·       Supporting Participants With Higher Support Needs During the Day

3. Benefits of NDIS Day Programs

·       Skill Development Across Multiple Areas

·       Strengthening Participant Confidence and Independence

·       Reducing Isolation Through Social Connection and Peer Interaction

·       Enhancing Emotional, Mental, and Physical Wellbeing

·       Increasing Community Participation and Real-World Engagement

·       Boosting Motivation Through Interest-Based Activities

·       Providing Reliable Respite for Families and Carers

4. Independent Living & Daily Life Skills Activities

• Cooking and nutrition sessions
• Meal-planning and grocery-shopping practice
• Kitchen safety and food-handling skills
• Laundry skills
• Home cleaning and household-management tasks
• Budgeting and money-management skills
• Personal hygiene and grooming routines
• Daily-planning and routine-building activities
• Travel training
• Technology skills

5. Social & Community Participation Activities

• Social outings
• Group picnics, BBQs, and social gatherings
• Visiting parks, beaches, libraries, galleries, museums
• Attending community festivals or recreational venues
• Peer social groups and club-style sessions
• Supported volunteering in community settings
• Cultural awareness activities and multicultural experiences

6. Creative, Recreational & Sensory Activities

• Arts and crafts
• Music groups
• Dance, drama, and performance activities
• Photography and creative media
• Gardening and horticulture activities
• Sensory room sessions
• Clay work, pottery, or textured craft
• Sensory-friendly cooking or gardening experiences

7. Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Activities

• Group exercise or gentle fitness
• Yoga, meditation, or mindfulness sessions
• Walking groups in local parks or beaches
• Swimming or supported water-based activities
• Health-and-wellbeing workshops
• Emotional regulation and coping-skills sessions

8. Cognitive, Communication & Skill Development Activities

• Problem-solving games and cognitive activities
• Literacy and numeracy skill-building
• Memory and attention-building exercises
• Communication-skills practice
• Social-skills development
• Personal goal-setting and achievement tracking
• Behaviour-support aligned activities

9. Workplace & Vocational Readiness Activities

• Workforce-preparation skills
• Supported vocational tasks
• Resume-help and interview practice
• Job-readiness training
• Supported volunteering placements to build employability

10. Outdoor & Nature-Based Activities

• Bushwalking and outdoor explorations
• Beach or river walks
• Environmental care projects
• Outdoor sketching, drawing, or photography
• Community gardening in shared spaces

11. Eligibility for NDIS Day Programs

·       Must Be a NDIS Participant

·       Goals Must Align with the Program

·       Individual Needs and Functional Capacity

·       Reasonable and Necessary Requirements

12. Funding for NDIS Day Programs

·       Core Supports

·       Capacity Building Supports

·       Funding Levels and Ratios

·       Transport Funding (if applicable)

·       How Participants Get Funding Approved

13. Steps to Develop & Deliver NDIS Day Programs

·       Conduct a Needs Assessment and Market Analysis

·       Define the Program Purpose, Outcomes, and Target Participants

·       Design a Structured, Evidence-Informed Program Model

·       Develop Policies, Procedures, and Compliance Frameworks

·       Recruit and Train Qualified Staff

·       Establish Safe, Accessible, and Purpose-Built Environments

·       Implement Participant-Centred Activity Planning

·       Deliver the Program Using Best-Practice Approaches

14. Monitoring, Evaluating and Improving NDIS Day Programs

·       Record daily notes, participation levels, and any changes in support needs

·       Track progress toward personal goals using simple, measurable methods.

·       Setting Conduct formal internal reviews at least annually

·       Collecting Feedback from Participants, Families, and Staff

·       Analyse what is working well and areas for improvement

·       Update activities, staffing levels, and resources based on evaluation results

·       Introduce new innovations, technology, and evidence-based practices

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.