What Does a Support Coordinator Actually Do?
- carli215
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 12
Navigating the NDIS can feel like learning a whole new language – especially for families just starting out. That’s where Support Coordinators come in. They act as the bridge between participants, service providers, and the NDIS itself, helping people make the most of their plans.
But what do Support Coordinators actually do, day to day? Let’s break it down.
🧩 They Help You Understand Your NDIS Plan
NDIS plans can be confusing, especially if you’re unsure what each funding category means. A Support Coordinator won’t manage your funding (that’s a Plan Manager’s job), but they can help explain what supports your plan includes and how to access them.
They also help you connect the dots between your NDIS goals and the supports that will help you achieve them.
🤝 They Connect You With the Right Services
One of the most valuable parts of a Support Coordinator’s role is helping you find and connect with providers that suit your needs. This could include:
Disability support workers
Therapists like OTs or speech pathologists
Community and social programs
Specialist services (e.g. behaviour support, mental health support)
They’ll work with you to understand your preferences — like location, cultural needs, gender preferences, or support style — and help build a support team that feels like a good fit.
📅 They Help With Booking and Coordination
Support Coordinators can assist with scheduling supports, working out logistics, and making sure everyone is on the same page. This is especially helpful for families juggling multiple appointments and providers.
They may also help set up Service Agreements and support you to understand your rights and responsibilities with each provider.
🎯 They Focus on Building Your Capacity
Support Coordination isn’t just about managing services. It’s also about building your capacity — helping you gain the skills and confidence to make decisions and take control of your support journey over time.
This might include:
Supporting you to speak up in meetings
Helping you problem-solve when supports aren’t working
Teaching you how to contact providers or ask for changes
The goal is always to empower participants and families to feel in control of their supports, not overwhelmed by them.
🧠 They Can Help During Plan Reviews or Big Life Changes
If you’re preparing for a plan reassessment or going through a major change (like starting school, moving house, or transitioning to work), a Support Coordinator can help you plan ahead.
They might help gather reports, communicate with providers, or attend planning meetings with you — all with the aim of making sure your next plan reflects your current and future needs.
Not Everyone Has Support Coordination Funding
Support Coordination is a separate funded item in your NDIS plan — not every participant will have it. It’s more common for participants with complex needs, new to the NDIS, or navigating big life transitions.
If you're unsure whether Support Coordination would benefit you, chat to your LAC, Plan Manager, or someone you trust.
Final Thoughts
Support Coordinators can make a huge difference in helping participants feel confident and supported in their NDIS journey. Whether you're just getting started or looking to change how you use your plan, the right coordinator can help turn confusion into clarity.
At Loving life, we deal with a lot of Support Coordinators! We have seen it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly! There are a number of good Support Coordinators on the Gold Coast.
It's best to shop around and figure out who is the right fit for you and your situation, but these are 3 companies that we have worked with that have been great for our participants!
You can also head to our NDIS Provider Directory, for more, carefully selected Support Coordinators on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast! Check it out here!