Updated on June 14, 2024
Living as a person with a disability requires a level of care and support from other people. This means family members, caregivers, professionals, etc. However, in Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of the ways the government supports people with disabilities with resources and features to improve things.
The NDIS is the first national scheme for people with disabilities in Australia. It was created to provide disability support people need by providing funding directly to them. NDIS plans are how people with disabilities get support that fits their needs perfectly. Like every other insurance scheme or plan, there are people in charge of each customer’s experience and demands. In the NDIS, this person is known as a support coordinator.
Who is a support coordinator?
A support coordinator is the NDIS personnel who helps you understand the best ways to use the support available for you in your NDIS plan. They also provide help tailored to the support you need and your circumstances. When you think of a support coordinator, think of customer service for your telecoms service provider or Amazon when you have a problem with your order. A support coordinator for NDIS is your customer support personnel.
Roles of a support coordinator
1. Helping you understand your NDIS plan
One of the major ways your support coordinator helps you is through your NDIS plan. Understanding and figuring out what the NDIS plan entails and how to tailor it strictly to your needs can be hard for someone with no idea how it works. This is where your support coordinator comes in. Your support coordinator gives you all the information you need to help you understand your support budget, the possible use of your funding, how your budget can be managed, and all the requirements you need to access NDIS support.
2. Improving your independence
One of the major reasons for establishing the NDIS in Australia is to help people with disabilities be more independent and have access to support that can make this possible. That is why one of the roles of your support coordinator includes helping you build confidence enough to choose and control the support you get. Your support worker has the responsibility of working with you and your caregivers to create opportunities for you to act independently, communicate your support preferences and exercise all the possible ways you can choose and control your situation.
3. Figuring out the support you need
Understanding all your options and the best way to get them can be tricky without help. Your support coordinator helps you determine and decide what support you need and want, how you’d like it delivered, and your payment options. Your support coordinator also helps you prepare for the worst by creating a plan for the moment something doesn’t work according to plan, finding potential problems that can hinder your NDIS plan, and determining how to stop them. They also help you understand all your support options.
4. Connecting you to the right groups and services in your community
Your support coordinator can also help you figure out all the services available to you in your local community. They help you figure out all the possible government services, apart from NDIS, that you can access, and they connect you to service providers that can help you achieve your independence goals. They also help you understand the best time to choose other options besides NDIS plans.
5. Monitoring and re-evaluating your progress
It’s one thing to make plans, and it’s another thing to make sure they work. Your support coordinator can help you by taking a step back and evaluating how much your plans and support work for you and then realigning to fit when necessary. They always review your progress towards your goals as an NDIS participant, making sure that the support you’re getting is actually useful.
Do Support Coordinators need to be NDIS registered?
Support coordinators have the option to be NDIS-registered or unregistered providers. The requirements for being a registered support coordinator will depend on the level of support coordination. However, all support coordinators, whether registered or not, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct to ensure the best experience for people with disabilities. There are also more perks for registered support coordinators.
What are the three levels of support coordination?
The three levels of support coordination are:
- Level 1: Support connection: They help participants understand their plans and options, connect them with the NDIS community, and get them other support to get the best out of their NDIS plan.
- Level 2: Coordination of support: This level helps people with disabilities get a mix of different possible supports that can increase their capacity to live independently and manage tasks more effectively, improving inclusion. This way, participants’ skills and confidence can improve significantly.
- Level 3: Specialist support coordination: This is the highest level of support. It is for NDIS participants with more complex situations and requires specialist support. The specialist support coordinator at this level helps participants manage the challenges they can face regarding support and ensures their service is consistent.
How much do support coordinators make in Australia?
A support coordinator earns an average of between $67k-$80k per year. Alongside the additional cash compensation they get, Australia’s average is $108,999 per year.
Why become a support coordinator?
A support coordinator is a crucial part of the lives of people with disabilities in Australia. Being a support coordinator is a perfect chance to contribute to making the life of a person with a disability easier and making sure the reason the NDIS was established is achieved.
Your support coordinator is your personal manager right from the NDIS. The NDIS program can get a little complicated for you, your families and caregivers. This is why your support coordinator is assigned to ensure you get the best support and service out of your NDIS plans. With their great communication skills and knowledge of what you need as a person with a disability, you’re covered with your support coordinator.
Looking for reliable Support Coordinators?
At Centre Disability Support, our support coordinators help with connecting you to different services such as community service groups, doctors, courses, local NDIS services for support, and help you understand your NDIS plan and your budget.
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