If you’ve looked closely at your NDIS plan, you may have seen “Support Coordination” or “Specialist Support Coordination” in your Capacity Building budget. They sound similar, and both are delivered by coordinators – but the level of complexity they’re designed for is very different.
A quick comparison
- Level 2 – Coordination of Supports: for participants who need help to understand and use their plan, choose providers and build their skills to manage supports.
- Level 3 – Specialist Support Coordination: for participants whose situation involves high complexity or risk, where supports across several systems need to be carefully managed.
The NDIA decides which level – if any – is funded, based on your circumstances. Specialist support coordination is usually funded at a higher hourly price and for a more intensive, time-limited purpose.
Level 2: Coordination of Supports
This is the most common type of support coordination. A Level 2 coordinator helps you:
- understand each budget in your plan
- find and compare providers, and set up service agreements
- link in with mainstream and community services
- keep track of funding so supports last the life of the plan
- prepare evidence and a progress report for your plan reassessment
- build your own skills to manage supports over time
It suits many people – from first-time participants to families going through a change such as leaving school.
Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination
Specialist support coordination is the most intensive level. It’s delivered by experienced practitioners – often with backgrounds in social work, psychology, allied health or similar fields – and focuses on reducing complexity and risk. The NDIA may fund it when a participant’s situation involves, for example:
- involvement with the justice system, or leaving custody
- a housing crisis or risk of homelessness
- frequent hospital admissions or complex health and mental health needs
- behaviours of concern that need coordinated behaviour support
- child protection involvement
- limited or no informal supports, or a support network under significant strain
A specialist coordinator does more than connect you with providers. They work across service systems, help develop risk and crisis-prevention plans, and aim to build a stable support network so that, over time, the situation becomes less complex.
How the NDIA decides
The level in your plan depends on your circumstances and the evidence provided. If your situation has become more complex – or less complex – since your last plan, it’s worth raising at your reassessment, or asking about a plan change if things have changed significantly. Your current coordinator can help gather the evidence.
Can you move between levels?
Yes. Specialist support coordination is often used to stabilise a complex situation. Once things are more settled, a participant may move to Level 2 support coordination in a later plan. Equally, if circumstances become more complex, a participant may be funded for specialist support coordination.
Which is right for you?
Ask yourself:
- Is the main challenge understanding the plan and finding providers? Level 2 is likely a good fit.
- Are there several agencies involved, safety risks, or a crisis happening now? Specialist support coordination may be needed.
- Is your current support coordination keeping up with what’s happening? If not, talk to your coordinator about what the evidence shows.
Both levels at Beyond Limits
Beyond Limits provides Level 2 support coordination and Level 3 specialist support coordination across Sydney and Melbourne’s south-east. Support coordinators, schools, hospitals and families can make a referral online.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for specialist support coordination?
You can ask, but the NDIA decides based on your circumstances and the evidence. Reports that clearly describe the complexity and risks involved are important.
Is specialist support coordination permanent?
It is usually intended to address complex circumstances for a period of time. Many participants move to Level 2 support coordination once their situation is more stable.
Who can refer to specialist support coordination?
Participants, families, support coordinators, hospitals, schools and other professionals can contact us to discuss a referral.
Related reading
Talk to the Beyond Limits team
We’re a registered NDIS provider supporting participants across Greater Sydney and Melbourne’s south-east. Call 1800 920 600 (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 8am–1pm) or send us a referral and we’ll call you back.