Local Area Coordinators (LAC) vs Support Coordinators: What’s the Difference?

If you're navigating the NDIS for the first time (or even the fifth), chances are you’ve come across terms like LAC (Local Area Coordinator) and Support Coordinator.

They sound similar — and they do overlap a little — but their roles, responsibilities, and how they’re assigned are very different.

Let’s unpack the key differences so you know exactly who does what — and who to turn to for the support you need.

👨‍💼 What Is a Local Area Coordinator (LAC)?

LACs are assigned to most NDIS participants by the NDIA through partner organisations like Carers Queensland or Intereach. You don’t choose your LAC — they’re allocated based on your location.

LACs support people with disability to access information, connect with local services, and understand their NDIS plans.

✨ What LACs Do:

• Help you understand and apply for the NDIS

• Work with you to develop your first plan

• Support you to implement and use your NDIS plan

• Link you to mainstream and community services

• Help you apply for plan reassessments or variations

• Promote inclusion by working with community organisations and local government

⚫ LACs don’t:

• Provide day-to-day support or coordination

• Help with complex support needs

• Choose providers for you

• Manage your plan budget or service bookings

LACs are best suited to participants who:

• Have lower support needs

• Are building confidence and independence

• Don’t have Support Coordination included in their plan

🤝 What Is a Support Coordinator?

Support Coordinators work more closely with participants who need help managing and coordinating their funded supports. You choose your Support Coordinator — and they are paid from your Capacity Building budget if it's included in your plan.

Their role is more hands-on and individualised.

✨ What Support Coordinators Do:

• Help you understand and implement your NDIS plan

• Assist with service agreements and provider bookings

• Help you choose supports that align with your goals

• Coordinate providers and troubleshoot problems

• Develop contingency and backup plans

• Help you prepare for plan reviews

• Build your capacity to eventually manage your own plan

There are three levels of support coordination:

• Support Connection (short-term help)

• Support Coordination (ongoing assistance)

• Specialist Support Coordination (for high complexity and barriers)

Support Coordinators are best suited to participants who:

• Have multiple or complex needs

• Are transitioning between life stages or plans

• Need help connecting with and managing providers

• Want to build skills and confidence in managing their own plan

🚼 LAC vs Support Coordinator: At a Glance

Feature	Local Area Coordinator (LAC)	Support Coordinator
Employed by	NDIS partner organisation	Independent provider you choose
Funded by your plan?	❌ No (provided by NDIS)	✅ Yes (if included in Capacity Building)
Provides ongoing support?	⚫ Long Term, but intermittent	✅ Yes, if funded
Helps choose providers?	❌ No	✅ Yes
Handles complex needs?	❌ Not suitable	✅ Yes
Assigned to all participants?	✅ Most	❌ Only if included in plan

🤖 Which One Do You Need?

Most participants will automatically be assigned an LAC. You only receive Support Coordination if it’s included in your plan funding.

You may benefit from Support Coordination if you:

• Are new to the NDIS and unsure where to start

• Have complex disability support needs

• Need help managing multiple providers

• Have limited informal supports or backup

• Are experiencing significant life changes or transitions

Still unsure? Your LAC, plan manager, or early childhood partner can help you understand what level of support is right for you.

💖 How We Can Help

At Loving Life, we don’t provide Support Coordination — but we work closely with your coordinator or LAC to ensure:

• Seamless onboarding into our services

• Communication between your support team

• Access to the tools they need to track your goals and progress

We believe that strong partnerships create strong outcomes. If your LAC or Support Coordinator would like to collaborate, we’re always happy to connect.

📍 Based on the Gold Coast

📝 Contact us here to learn how we work with support teams or head to our NDIS Provider Directory to search for a Support Coordinator on the Gold Coast.