What Does an NDIS Support Coordinator Do?
- 7 min read
A Quick Snapshot
An NDIS Support Coordinator helps you put your NDIS plan into action.
- understand how to use your plan
- find and compare suitable providers
- set up and coordinate your supports
- deal with problems when things aren’t working
- connect with community and mainstream services
- build the skills and confidence to manage more yourself.
You’re still in control of your choices.
What an NDIS Support Coordinator actually does
A Support Coordinator helps you make practical use of your NDIS plan. The type and amount of help you receive depends on your circumstances and what’s included in your plan.
They’ll help you find providers, set up services, coordinate different supports and work through any problems when something changes.
They don’t make decisions for you. They help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions about your support.
You don’t have to work out the NDIS on your own.
The practical help a Support Coordinator can provide
Understanding and using your NDIS plan
Your Support Coordinator can help you understand your funding and how your supports fit together. They can explain things such as service agreements, provider arrangements and the practical steps involved in putting your plan into action.
The aim is simple: to help you make informed choices about your supports.
Finding and comparing providers
Finding the right NDIS providers can take time. A Support Coordinator helps you identify the services you need, research suitable providers and compare your options.
They can also help you understand what different providers offer and what to look for before agreeing to a service.
But you choose the providers you want to work with.
Setting up and coordinating supports
Once you’ve chosen your providers, they’ll help get everything organised.
That might include coordinating different services, helping providers work together and making sure everyone understands their role.
This can be particularly useful when several different supports are involved.
Dealing with problems and changes
Your Support Coordinator can help you work out what’s happening and consider your options. That could mean reviewing your current supports, trying another approach or finding a different provider.
If something isn’t working, you have options.
Building your confidence to manage supports
Support Coordination isn’t about making you dependent on your coordinator.
An important part of the role is helping you build the knowledge and confidence to manage more of your supports yourself, where that’s right for you. That might include managing relationships with providers, keeping track of your supports and using NDIS systems and apps.
How My Guardian helps with Support Coordination
The NDIS can be complicated. Having someone who understands the system and can explain your options in plain English can make things easier.
We can also work with your family and other people involved in your support, where you want us to.
My Guardian also provides other NDIS services, including Plan Management, Supported Independent Living and disability care.
Want to know more about Support Coordination? Talk to My Guardian.
The three levels of Support Coordination
The NDIS recognises three levels of Support Coordination. The level you receive depends on your circumstances and the type of assistance you need.
Support connection
Support Connection helps you understand your plan and connect with providers, community services and mainstream services.
Support coordination
Support Coordination provides more hands-on help to put your supports in place and build your ability to manage them.
Specialist support coordination
Specialist Support Coordination is for people with more complex situations who may need additional help to address barriers, risks or difficulties affecting their supports.
Not everyone with an NDIS plan has Support Coordination funding.
Choosing an NDIS Support Coordinator
If Support Coordination is included in your plan, you can choose who you want to work with. But before making a decision, it can be useful to talk with a potential Support Coordinator about:
- their experience
- how they communicate
- how often you’ll hear from them
- whether they understand your circumstances
- how they will help you become more confident managing your supports.
You should feel comfortable with the person you choose.
It’s your plan. You should have a say in who helps you use it.
Changing your Support Coordinator
If your Support Coordinator isn’t the right fit, you can change to another provider. Check your service agreement first, as it may include notice requirements.
Your new Support Coordinator can help make the change as straightforward as possible.
Support Coordination and Plan Management are different
Support Coordination and Plan Management are sometimes confused, but they have different roles.
A Support Coordinator can help you find providers, organise services, coordinate different supports and deal with problems.
A Plan Manager can process provider invoices and claims, help track your funding and provide information about your plan budget.
Plan Management is about the financial side of your plan.
You can have both if they’re included in your NDIS plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone with an NDIS plan get a Support Coordinator?
No. Support Coordination funding needs to be included in your NDIS plan.
Can I choose my own Support Coordinator?
Yes. If Support Coordination is included in your plan, you can choose the provider you want to work with.
Is a Support Coordinator the same as a Plan Manager?
No. A Support Coordinator helps organise and coordinate your supports. A Plan Manager handles the financial side of your NDIS plan.
Can a Support Coordinator choose my providers for me?
No. A Support Coordinator can help you research and compare providers, but you make the final choice.
Can I change my Support Coordinator?
Yes. You can change providers if your current Support Coordinator isn’t the right fit. Check your service agreement for any notice requirements.
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