Choosing between Support Connection, Support Coordination, and Specialist Support Coordination can feel confusing at first. This comparison gives you a clear overview of how each service works, who it is best suited for, and how Able WA can support you throughout your NDIS journey.
In simple terms, Level 1 Support Connection helps you get started and builds your independence, Level 2 Support Coordination helps you manage your plan day to day, and Level 3 Specialist Support Coordination provides intensive care for complex or high-risk situations.
If you would like a more detailed explanation, you can read our complete guide to NDIS Support Coordination levels.
If you are unsure which service is right for you, our team can talk through your plan, your current supports and your goals, then guide you towards the option that best suits your needs.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s national program for funding disability support. Established by law in 2013, the NDIS provides individualized funding to people with permanent and significant disabilities so they can access services and supports to improve their quality of life. Instead of providing set services to everyone, the NDIS gives each eligible person a budget in a personal plan, which they can use to pursue their own goals – whether that’s therapy, equipment, personal care, employment support, or community participation. The scheme is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and guided by principles of choice and control for participants. In summary, the NDIS is a government-funded initiative designed to empower people with disabilities (and their families) to get the supports they need to live more independent and fulfilling lives
You may be eligible for the NDIS if you satisfy the key criteria set out by the NDIS Act. Age: You must be under 65 years old when you apply to join the NDIS. Residency: You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa. Disability: You must have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to do everyday activities, or have a condition for which early intervention support (therapies early on) would reduce future needs[6]. The disability could be intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial – but it must be likely to be lifelong. These requirements are outlined in the NDIS Act 2013 (for example, see sections 22–24 of the Act for age, residence, and disability criteria). In practice, the NDIA will ask for evidence of your disability and how it impacts you to determine eligibility. If you meet the criteria, you can become a participant in the NDIS. (Reference: NDIS Act 2013, ss.22–24; see also NDIS eligibility guidelines.)
To apply (access) the NDIS, you need to submit an Access Request to the NDIA. You can start by calling the NDIA (at 1800 800 110) or by filling out an Access Request Form available on the NDIS website or via local offices. The process generally involves: providing personal details, confirming your age/residency, and supplying evidence of your disability (reports or letters from medical professionals). The NDIA may also ask you to consent to them obtaining information from your doctors or support providers. Once you lodge your application, the NDIA will review it and decide if you meet the access requirements. This can take a few weeks. If your access request is approved, you’ll then be contacted to start creating your NDIS plan. Tip: Before applying, gather any existing assessments or reports about your disability to include – this often speeds up the decision. And remember, applying is free. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Able WA for guidance on the NDIS application – we’re happy to help newcomers get started.
The NDIS funds a wide range of supports across many aspects of life, as long as they are “reasonable and necessary” for the participant. These supports are always tailored to an individual’s goals and needs, so they can vary, but examples include: Therapeutic supports like occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychological therapy; personal care assistance (help with daily activities like dressing or showering); in-home support and respite; assistive technology and equipment (wheelchairs, communication devices, home modifications); transport assistance; employment support and life-skills training; social and community participation programs; and Supported Independent Living services or other housing support options. Importantly, the NDIS will not cover things that everyone needs regardless of disability (like ordinary living expenses or mainstream health services), but it will cover disability-specific needs. The funding is organized into budget categories: Core Supports, Capital (e.g., equipment/home mods), and Capacity Building (e.g., therapies, support coordination, training). Within those, there are specific support line items. You can learn more on our Services page or consult the NDIS Price Guide for details on each support type. Able WA can also help you understand what supports you can use your funding for and connect you to providers of those services.
Support Coordination is a type of Capacity Building support funded by the NDIS to help participants make the best use of their plans. In simple terms, a support coordinator is like your personal guide or project manager for your NDIS plan. According to the NDIA, support coordination helps you understand and use your NDIS plan, connect with service providers and community supports, and build your ability to coordinate your own supports in the long run. If you have funding for support coordination, an allocated Support Coordinator (like those at Able WA) will work with you to find providers, set up service agreements, schedule services, troubleshoot issues, and ensure all your funded supports are working together toward your goals. There are three levels of support coordination that might be funded: Support Connection (basic assistance to get started), Coordination of Supports (standard support coordination, which is what most people have), and Specialist Support Coordination (more intense support for complex needs). The level you receive depends on your individual situation. Support coordination is especially helpful if you have multiple providers or more complex needs, or if you are new to the NDIS and unsure how to navigate it.
Not every NDIS participant has a support coordinator, but many benefit from having one. You might need support coordination if: you find the NDIS confusing or time-consuming to manage on your own; you have a lot of different supports/providers to juggle; you’re experiencing major life changes or challenges that make coordinating supports difficult; or you simply want expert help to ensure you’re getting the most out of your plan. The NDIA decides whether to include funding for support coordination in your plan based on your individual circumstances – it’s generally included if they think you need assistance to implement the plan (this must be deemed “reasonable and necessary”). For example, first-time NDIS participants or those with complex needs often receive support coordination funds. If your plan doesn’t have it but you feel you would benefit, you can request it at your next plan review or change of circumstances. Able WA often provides information to planners about why a participant may require support coordination. In summary, while not mandatory, a support coordinator can significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes. Participants and families often tell us they feel more supported and achieve their goals faster with a coordinator involved.
Able WA specialises in Support Coordination – it’s our main service. When you work with us, you get an experienced support coordinator who will partner with you one-on-one. We help develop a clear plan for using your NDIS funds, find and vet suitable providers (leveraging our extensive network in Perth and WA), and set everything in motion so you receive services smoothly. We take care of the admin and coordination tasks – for example, we’ll arrange service agreements with therapists or support workers, schedule start dates, and ensure each provider understands your goals. We also keep track of your budget to avoid overspending or underspending, and we can produce easy-to-understand budget summaries for you. If any issues arise (say a provider isn’t a good fit or you have a complaint), we address them promptly and advocate on your behalf to resolve them. Essentially, Able WA’s support coordination means you have a knowledgeable ally in your NDIS journey – someone to call when you have questions, someone working in the background to coordinate all parts of your plan, and someone who will stand up for your rights and preferences throughout the process. Our goal is to make your NDIS experience positive and effective, so you can focus on your life rather than the red tape.
It’s a great question because their titles sound similar. A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is usually an employee of an NDIS partner organization (such as Mission Australia, APM, or other agencies in different regions) who works on behalf of the NDIA to help people access the NDIS and develop plans. An LAC often is involved when you first join the NDIS – they might help gather info for your plan and conduct plan meetings – and they often support participants who don’t have support coordinators by pointing them to mainstream services. However, LACs have a broad, community-focused role and usually a very large caseload. In contrast, a Support Coordinator (like Able WA provides) is funded through your plan to work directly for you on an ongoing basis to implement that plan. We dive deeper into the day-to-day coordination: finding providers, organizing quotes, troubleshooting issues, etc., which LACs generally cannot do in detail due to their role constraints. Also, support coordinators remain involved throughout your plan (and at plan reviews), ensuring your supports are well-managed continuously, whereas LAC involvement tends to be lighter touch after the plan is set up. Think of it this way: the LAC helps start your NDIS journey and is a link to the NDIA, whereas your Support Coordinator is like a personal project manager for all the supports in your plan. Both aim to help you, but support coordinators provide a more personalized, hands-on service.
Support Coordination and Plan Management are two distinct services funded by the NDIS, and participants can have either or both. A Support Coordinator, as discussed, helps you organise and implement supports in your plan – focusing on connecting you with providers and services and building your capacity to navigate the NDIS. Plan Management, on the other hand, is a financial service: a Plan Manager is essentially like an NDIS-funded bookkeeper who manages the financial transactions of your plan. If you have Plan Management (NDIS calls it “Improved Life Choices” funding), the Plan Manager will receive invoices from your providers, claim funds from the NDIS to pay those bills, and handle payments on your behalf. They can also give you monthly statements and help you keep track of spending. Plan Managers do not find or coordinate services for you – that’s the Support Coordinator’s job – but they do take care of all the funding paperwork. Another difference is that having a Plan Manager allows you to use both registered and non-registered providers for services, since the Plan Manager will pay any valid invoices (the NDIA itself only pays registered providers directly). In summary: Support Coordinators = managing your supports; Plan Managers = managing your funds. Many participants choose to use both services: a Plan Manager to simplify finances, and a Support Coordinator to organise supports – each playing an important role in implementing an NDIS plan.
There are several great resources for NDIS information:
In short, you’re not alone – there are many sources of guidance. Able WA’s website itself has an NDIS Information page (a guide explaining key concepts), and our support coordinators make it a point to educate and empower participants with knowledge. Reach out to us anytime you need clarification or help understanding the NDIS.
ABN: 71665956203
ACN: 665 956 203
NDIS Provider Number:
4050123999
