What is support coordination?
Support coordination is a funded NDIS support that helps participants implement their plan. A support coordinator works with you to:
- Understand what your NDIS plan covers and how to use your funding
- Find, connect with, and negotiate agreements with providers
- Help you build skills to manage your supports more independently over time
- Resolve crises or service breakdowns
- Prepare you for your plan review with evidence of how supports are working
Support coordination is different from direct support work. Your coordinator does not provide personal care, therapy, or other direct supports — they help you navigate the system so you can access those supports effectively.
Support Coordination vs Specialist Support Coordination
Support Coordination (SC) — Funded under Capacity Building. Suitable for participants who need help setting up and managing their NDIS plan. Most participants who have SC in their plan receive this level.
Specialist Support Coordination (SSC) — A higher-intensity version for participants with complex situations:
- Those at risk of homelessness or in crisis
- People involved with the justice system
- Participants with multiple high-support needs across several services
- Those transitioning from hospital, prison, or out-of-home care
SSC practitioners typically have social work, psychology, or allied health qualifications. They are funded at a higher rate than standard SC.
Your plan will specify which level (or both) you are funded for. If your situation is complex, you can request SSC be considered at your plan review.
How support coordination is funded
Support coordination sits in the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan — not the Core Supports budget. This is important because:
- The funding is earmarked specifically for coordination activities
- It does NOT come out of your funding for direct supports
- It is billed by the hour at NDIS price guide rates
Hourly rates are set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements (check the current price guide for exact figures). SSC is funded at a higher rate than standard SC.
Your plan will include a dollar amount for coordination. A typical allocation is $5,000–$15,000 per year depending on your needs.
If your plan does not include support coordination funding, you can request it at your next plan review — especially if you can demonstrate that you are struggling to implement your plan independently.
Do I need a support coordinator?
Not everyone has support coordination in their plan. The NDIS typically funds it for participants who:
- Have a new or recently changed NDIS plan and need help setting it up
- Have complex needs requiring multiple services that need to be coordinated
- Are finding it difficult to implement their current plan
- Have had significant life changes (hospitalisation, relationship breakdown, housing crisis)
- Are in the early intervention years and parents need help navigating services
You may NOT need SC if
- You are already confident navigating the NDIS
- You have a family member or informal support who can assist
- Your needs are relatively straightforward
Even if SC is not in your plan, a good Local Area Coordinator (LAC) provided free by the NDIS can help with basic navigation. If you feel an LAC is not enough, raise this at your plan review.
How to find a good support coordinator
Finding the right support coordinator can make a huge difference to how much you get from your plan. Here is what to look for:
Independence — Your support coordinator should have no financial incentive to refer you to any particular provider. Ask directly: "Do you receive referral fees or have any financial relationship with providers you recommend?"
Caseload size — A coordinator managing 100+ clients cannot give you the attention you need. Ask how many clients they currently support.
Specialisation — Some coordinators specialise in particular disabilities (autism, psychosocial, physical) or age groups. A specialist will know your needs and the relevant providers better.
Communication style — Do they respond promptly? Are they easy to understand? Do they explain things without jargon?
References — Ask if you can speak with one or two current or previous clients. Good coordinators are happy to provide this.
Reviews — Once available, check their SupportPath profile for reviews from participants and families.
What to expect from your support coordinator
A good support coordinator should:
- Meet with you (in person or via video) to understand your goals, needs, and preferences
- Explain your plan in plain English — what each budget can be used for
- Research and shortlist providers that match your needs and location
- Help you negotiate service agreements
- Check in regularly (at least monthly, more often if needed)
- Keep records of your support use and progress toward goals
- Flag if your funding is running low so you don't run out mid-year
- Produce a progress report before your plan review
They should NOT
- Pressure you to use specific providers
- Be hard to reach or take weeks to respond
- Charge for time spent on administrative tasks outside their scope
- Be your only advocate — you always have the right to involve family, friends, or a disability advocate
Changing your support coordinator
You have the right to change your support coordinator at any time. You are not locked in.
Steps to change
- Review your service agreement — check the notice period (usually 2–4 weeks)
- Start looking for a new coordinator before you give notice
- Give written notice (email is fine) of your end date
- Ask your old coordinator for a handover summary and copies of any reports or notes
- Sign a service agreement with your new coordinator
When you change coordinators, your NDIS funding does not change — it stays in your plan. You simply stop using one provider and start using another.
If you are experiencing a serious issue with your coordinator (unprofessional conduct, financial impropriety), you can lodge a complaint with the NDIS Commission.
Find support coordinators near you
Compare support coordinators across Australia on SupportPath.