What Does an NDIS Support Coordinator Do? A Plain-English Guide for Queensland and Tasmania
If you've just received your NDIS plan and seen the words "Support Coordination", you're not alone in wondering what they mean. Plans can be long, full of unfamiliar terms, and it isn't always clear what to do first. This guide explains what an NDIS Support Coordinator does, what they don't do, and how to tell whether Support Coordination might help you.
What is Support Coordination?
Support Coordination is a support the NDIS can fund in your plan, under the Capacity Building budget. Its purpose is to help you use your plan: to understand it, connect with providers, and build your own confidence in managing your supports over time.
A Support Coordinator works with you, not for you. The aim is for you to stay in charge of your choices, with someone beside you who knows how the system works.
What does a Support Coordinator actually do?
Every person's plan and goals are different, so the work looks different for everyone. Common tasks include:
Explaining your plan in plain language. What each budget is for, what you can and can't spend it on, and how long your plan runs.
Finding and comparing providers. Researching options that suit your goals, location and preferences, including telehealth where that works for you, then helping you contact them.
Service agreements. Helping you read and understand agreements before you sign, so you know what you're agreeing to.
Keeping things on track. Checking in on how supports are going, and helping you change things when they aren't working.
Problem-solving. When a provider falls through, a support isn't available locally, or circumstances change, your coordinator helps you work out next steps.
Preparing for your plan reassessment. Helping you gather reports and put your experience and goals into words before your next plan meeting.
Building your skills. Over time, a good coordinator helps you feel more able to do some of this yourself, if that's what you want.
What a Support Coordinator doesn't do
It helps to know the limits too:
A Support Coordinator isn't a crisis service. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000. For 24-hour support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
They don't make decisions for you. Your choice and control come first.
They don't manage your money or pay invoices. That's the role of a plan manager, the NDIA, or you if you self-manage.
They can't guarantee what will be in your next plan. Funding decisions are made by the NDIA.
Is Support Coordination in my plan?
Look in your plan's Capacity Building section for "Support Coordination". It will usually show an amount of funding, which pays for a number of hours across the plan. If you're not sure, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), your planner or the NDIA can confirm it. A Support Coordinator can also go through your plan with you.
If Support Coordination isn't in your plan but you feel you need it, you can talk with your LAC or planner about it, particularly at your next reassessment.
How is Psychosocial Recovery Coaching different?
Some people, particularly those with a psychosocial disability, have Psychosocial Recovery Coaching in their plan. A Recovery Coach also helps with supports and planning, and puts a strong focus on recovery goals, resilience and everyday wellbeing. Some plans include one, some the other, and some both. We'll cover the difference in more detail in a future article.
How to choose a Support Coordinator
You have the right to choose who supports you. Some questions you might ask:
Do you work in my area, or by telehealth?
How often will we be in touch, and how?
How do you include my family, carers or other professionals, if I want that?
What happens if I want to change coordinators later?
Are you a registered NDIS provider?
Take your time. A good fit matters, and you can change coordinators if things aren't working.
Support Coordination across Queensland and Tasmania
Goodrose is a registered NDIS provider (4053371730) offering Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaching across Queensland and Tasmania. We meet in person where we can and by telehealth everywhere, which helps people in regional areas where local options can be limited. We also offer one-on-one capacity-building programs that focus on routines, resilience and everyday skills.
Our approach is simple: we explain things in plain words, we work at a pace that feels right for you, and we keep you at the centre of every decision. Making the complex easy.
Want to talk it through?
If you'd like to understand your plan or find out whether Support Coordination could help, you're welcome to book a free 30-minute consultation, in your home or online. There's no obligation and no pressure. It's simply a chance to ask questions.
Call 0474 267 679, email hello@goodrose.com.au, or book through our website. If you're a professional making a referral, please use our referral form.
Goodrose is not a crisis service. In an emergency, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
— The Goodrose team
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