Reviewed: 16 September 2026
A clear referral helps a provider assess suitability, current capacity and worker matching without asking a participant to repeat unnecessary information. This checklist is designed for support coordinators, Local Area Coordinators, recovery coaches, allied-health professionals and authorised family referrers seeking community or core supports in Perth.
Start with consent and participant involvement
Confirm the participant knows about the referral, agrees to the information being shared and understands the purpose. Record the authorised contact and the participant’s preferred way to be involved. A professional referral does not replace participant choice.
Essential information for an initial capacity check
- Participant’s preferred name and contact arrangements
- Suburb or postcode
- Requested support and practical purpose
- Preferred days, times and commencement window
- Plan-management type
- Communication and accessibility preferences
- Important worker-matching preferences
- Referrer’s role and contact details
Do not send an entire plan or detailed medical history merely to ask whether a provider has capacity.
Describe the requested outcome, not only the service label
“Community participation” can mean very different things. Explain whether the participant wants help attending swimming, shopping, appointments, a sporting activity, a café, public transport practice or another goal. This helps the provider judge worker suitability and travel requirements.
Information needed before service commencement
If the participant wishes to proceed, the provider may need more detail about support instructions, health and safety, mobility, communication, personal care, medication boundaries, behaviour-support arrangements, emergency contacts and relevant risks. Share this securely, with consent, and only where necessary.
A Perth referral example
A coordinator referring a participant in Spearwood might state that the participant wants two weekday community-access shifts, prefers a calm female worker, communicates verbally but needs additional processing time, and enjoys swimming and markets. This is more useful than stating only “support worker required”.
Questions to ask the provider
- Do you currently have capacity for this suburb and schedule?
- How will you assess worker suitability?
- Can the participant meet the proposed worker?
- What is the expected commencement process?
- How are prices, travel and cancellations explained?
- Who handles concerns, incidents and roster changes?
- How will you communicate progress with consent?
When referring for support coordination
Confirm the level funded in the plan. For support coordination or recovery coaching, the NDIA may issue a request for service through the provider portal. Providers generally have four business days to accept or decline, and should consider whether they can support the participant’s goals before accepting. Read the official NDIS guidance on requests for service.
Avoid common referral delays
- No participant consent or unclear authority
- No suburb or preferred schedule
- Using only broad terms such as “core support”
- Omitting essential matching requirements
- Sending inaccessible attachments without explanation
- Assuming advertised coverage guarantees capacity
- Expecting the provider to determine what the plan funds
After the referral
Agree on who will contact the participant, the response timeframe, what further information is needed and who will coordinate commencement. If the provider is unsuitable or unavailable, tell the participant promptly and continue exploring alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Can an LAC select a provider for a participant?
An LAC may provide information and connection assistance, but participant choice remains central.
Should the NDIS number be included initially?
It may be needed later for service setup. For a basic capacity enquiry, share only information necessary at that stage.
Can a family member submit the referral?
Yes, where the participant consents or the family member has appropriate authority.
Use the Access4All NDIS referral form, check provider capacity information or review our Perth service areas.
Prepared by Access4All Disability Services. General information only; urgent or emergency matters require the appropriate emergency or clinical service.