Support coordination can help an eligible NDIS participant understand and use their plan, compare providers, address service gaps and build confidence directing their own supports. It is a capacity-building service, not a promise that a particular request will be funded or approved.
When support coordination may be useful
A participant may benefit when a new plan is difficult to interpret, several providers need to work together, services have broken down, circumstances are changing or the participant wants to become more confident managing supports. The first step should be to identify the participant’s priorities, decision-making preferences and the people they authorise to be involved.
Turning a plan into practical actions
A coordinator can help separate immediate needs from longer-term goals, identify relevant funded categories and develop an implementation plan. This may include a list of services to investigate, questions for prospective providers, agreed responsibilities and review dates. The participant remains in control of provider choices.
Comparing providers fairly
Useful comparison goes beyond availability. Ask about worker matching, relevant skills, screening, communication, service agreements, prices, travel, cancellations, incident management, feedback and continuity. A coordinator should disclose conflicts of interest and avoid presenting one provider as the only option when genuine alternatives exist.
Coordinating services and reducing gaps
With consent, a coordinator may communicate with providers and other supports, clarify responsibilities, prepare for transitions and help resolve practical barriers. Only necessary information should be shared, and the participant should understand why it is being shared.
Building independence
Good support coordination should leave the participant with greater knowledge and confidence. Depending on the person’s goals, this might include learning how to contact providers, read a service agreement, monitor a budget, prepare for a review or raise a concern.
Preparing for the first conversation
- Bring the current plan and plan dates.
- List existing services, waiting lists and urgent gaps.
- Note communication, cultural, language and accessibility preferences.
- Identify who may receive information or participate in decisions.
- Record the outcomes the participant wants from coordination.
What support coordination does not replace
It does not replace emergency services, clinical treatment, legal advice, financial advice, advocacy or NDIA decision-making. For current scheme rules, use official NDIS information. Individual funding questions should be directed to the NDIA, the participant’s plan contact or an appropriately qualified adviser.
Questions to ask a coordinator
- How will you support my choice and control?
- How do you manage conflicts of interest?
- How often will we review progress and capacity-building goals?
- How will you communicate with me and people I authorise?
- What reports, prices and cancellation conditions apply?
- What happens if my circumstances or plan changes?
Access4All confirms suitability and current capacity individually across Perth. Learn about support coordination Check current capacity