Support Coordination Explained: What an NDIS Support Coordinator Does
By FindMyHelp Editorial Team · Reviewed against official sources on
An NDIS plan is only useful if you can turn it into real supports: the right providers, at the right times, working together. That's what a support coordinator is for. This guide explains what they do, the three levels of support coordination, what it costs, and how to get one.
What is a support coordinator?
A support coordinator helps you use your NDIS plan effectively (NDIS – What is a support coordinator). They can help you:
- understand and use the supports in your plan
- choose the right providers for your needs
- connect with community and mainstream supports and services
- build your confidence and skills to manage your supports.
The goal is for you to make your own decisions. The NDIS says support coordinators will "give you the right information so you can make your own decisions about your plan".
What a support coordinator actually does
Helps you understand your plan
- your support budgets and what you can spend them on
- choosing how your funding is managed (see our guide Self-Managed vs Plan-Managed vs NDIA-Managed)
- what you can claim and when
- when you need service agreements.
Connects you with supports
- finding the right providers for you
- matching supports and services to your plan
- accessing community and mainstream services, such as health, education and transport
- explaining when you need registered providers and when unregistered ones are fine.
Builds your confidence
Your support coordinator can show you how to:
- set up service agreements
- understand what providers can charge
- check whether your supports are working
- plan for when things go wrong
- change providers if you're not getting what you need
- use the participant portals and my NDIS app.
Source: NDIS – What is a support coordinator
Support coordinators also give the NDIA regular progress reports on whether your plan is meeting your needs (NDIS – Guide to working as a support coordinator).
The three levels of support coordination
The NDIA can fund three levels (NDIS; NDIS – Guide for support coordinators):
| Level | What it's for | 2026-27 maximum price per hour (national) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Support connection | Understanding your plan, connecting with providers, community and mainstream services, and building confidence to manage your plan | See current limit (07_001_0106_8_3) |
| Level 2: Support coordination | Putting in place a mix of supports to help you maintain relationships, manage tasks, live more independently and be part of the community | See current limit (07_002_0106_8_3) |
| Level 3: Specialist support coordination | A higher level of support for more complex situations, to keep services consistent during challenges and address complex barriers | See current limit (07_004_0132_8_3) |
Each price page shows the current national, remote and very remote maximums from the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 (NDIS – Pricing arrangements). Remote and very remote areas have higher limits. These are maximum hourly prices, and how many hours you get depends on your plan.
More about specialist support coordination
A specialist support coordinator helps participants whose situations are more complex to address complex barriers to accessing supports and, where appropriate, design a service plan. They should be appropriately qualified and experienced. Level 3 must be included in your plan for a provider to deliver it (NDIS).
What about psychosocial recovery coaches?
A psychosocial recovery coach helps in a similar way to a support coordinator, but specifically for people with psychosocial disability. They help people take more control of their lives, increase independence, and build involvement in the community, work or education (NDIS).
Support coordinator vs plan manager
These are often confused:
| Support coordinator | Plan manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Helps with | Your supports: finding, connecting and coordinating | Your funding: paying providers and keeping records |
| Must be registered? | No, can be registered or unregistered | Yes, must be registered |
| Funded in your plan? | Only if the NDIA includes it | Yes, if you're plan-managed |
The NDIS sums it up: "A plan manager helps keep track of your funding. A support coordinator helps with your supports." You can have both (NDIS).
Registered or unregistered support coordinators
Support coordinators can be registered or unregistered providers (NDIS):
- Registered support coordinators can work with all participants, including NDIA-managed participants.
- Unregistered support coordinators can only work with participants who self-manage or plan-manage their funding.
Policy update: The NDIS Commission consulted on making registration mandatory for support coordinators, but paused this reform in December 2025 (NDIS Commission – Support coordination and plan management).
How to get support coordination in your plan
- Ask for it. You can ask for funding for a support coordinator in your plan if you'd like one (NDIS).
- Explain why. Tell your my NDIS contact what you find hard: finding providers, coordinating several supports, or a complex situation.
- Contact the NDIA. Get in touch with your my NDIS contact, visit your local NDIS office, or call 1800 800 110.
Choosing a good support coordinator
Use the same care as with any provider (see our guide How to Choose an NDIS Provider). Good questions to ask:
- What level of support coordination do you provide, and what experience do you have with needs like ours?
- How often will we be in touch, and how do you record your hours?
- Do you also provide other supports? How do you make sure your recommendations aren't biased towards your own organisation's services?
- How will you help us build our own skills, so we rely on you less over time?
Watch the hours. Support coordination is charged by the hour from your plan. Ask for a clear estimate and regular updates so the funding lasts.
Raising concerns
The NDIS Commission says it receives complaints about some support coordinators and plan managers, and has run an inquiry into these services (NDIS Commission). If you're unhappy, talk to your support coordinator first, change coordinators if needed, or contact the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544.
Frequently asked questions
What does an NDIS support coordinator do?
They help you understand and use your plan, choose providers, connect with community and mainstream services, and build your skills to manage your own supports.
How much does support coordination cost?
It's paid from your plan. Each level has a maximum hourly price, with higher limits in remote areas. See the current limits for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
What's the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Level 3 (specialist support coordination) is for more complex situations and needs a qualified, experienced specialist. It must be specifically included in your plan.
Is a support coordinator the same as a plan manager?
No. A support coordinator helps with your supports. A plan manager helps with your funding and payments. You can have both.
Do support coordinators have to be registered?
No. They can be registered or unregistered, but unregistered coordinators can only work with self-managed or plan-managed participants.
How do I get support coordination?
Ask for funding for it in your plan. Talk to your my NDIS contact or call 1800 800 110.
Find a support coordinator near you
Find NDIS providers near you
Send one free request and get matched with local providers who have availability. Free for families and carers.
Looking for a support coordinator, or the providers they'll connect you with? Find NDIS support coordinators and providers near you on FindMyHelp. Compare local options and send one free request to get matched. It's free for participants, families and carers.
This guide is general information. Always check the NDIS website for your situation.