Life transition planning and mentoring
NDIS Capacity Building support
Planning and mentoring to help a person prepare for a major change, such as leaving school, moving out or starting work.
The short answer
Life transition planning and mentoring prepares you for a major change, such as leaving school, moving out or starting work, so the change feels clearer and more manageable.
About Life transition planning and mentoring
Big changes can feel overwhelming, particularly when there are many things to organise at once. Transition support breaks a change into steps, so you know what needs to happen and when. It can include exploring options, setting goals, building the skills you will need and putting the right supports in place.
Mentoring adds the guidance of someone with experience. A mentor might be an experienced support worker, a coach or a peer who has been through a similar change. They listen, share what they have learned and encourage you along the way.
Starting early is one of the best things you can do. Planning well before a change, such as a year before leaving school, leaves time to try things, make mistakes and adjust. It also helps family and supporters feel more prepared.
Who is this service for?
People preparing for a big change, such as leaving school, moving out or starting work, who want planning and guidance.
What a typical session looks like
Transitions are big changes such as leaving school, moving out, starting work, changing services or entering a new stage of life. A planner or mentor works with you to think about what you want, what is coming and what needs to be in place. Sessions may involve mapping goals, visiting new places, meeting people and practising skills you will need.
Mentoring adds the value of a person who has been there, or who knows the path well. A mentor can share their own experience, offer encouragement and help you work through worries. Over time the planning becomes more concrete, with steps, dates and who is responsible for what.
Who delivers this support
Transition planning may be provided by support coordinators, therapists, teachers, case managers and community organisations. Mentors may be paid workers or peers with lived experience of disability. Choose someone who takes the time to know you, involves your family and friends as you wish, and is realistic about the steps.
How to choose a provider
- Ask how the provider helps you set goals and plan steps.
- Find out about the background of the mentors.
- Check how they involve family and supporters.
- Ask how they link with schools, employers and other services.
- Find out how plans are reviewed and updated.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will you find out what I want for my life after the transition?
- How will you involve my family and the people I choose?
- How will you help me prepare practically, for example by visiting or trying new things?
- Can I meet a mentor who has been through something similar?
- How will you work with the school, service or employer involved?
- How will you check that the plan is working after the change?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving planning until the change is about to happen.
- Making a plan for the person rather than with them.
- Overlooking practical details such as transport and daily routines.
- Not building relationships before the move, so the person arrives knowing no one.
- Not reviewing the plan after the transition to see what needs adjusting.
Getting started
- Think about the change ahead and what you want it to look like.
- List the questions and worries you have.
- Contact providers and ask how they support transitions.
- Create a step-by-step plan with dates and review points.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Transition planning connects with almost every other support, since the changes involve housing, education, employment, community life and health. It helps to start early, particularly for big transitions such as leaving school, because it can take time to arrange the supports and opportunities you want.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Life transition planning and mentoring if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Life transition planning and mentoring is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Life transition planning and mentoring that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Life skills providers on the NDIS register
13,003 NDIS providers list life skills supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing life skills
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
- 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
See all 13,003 life skills providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (4,401)
- Victoria (3,825)
- Queensland (2,354)
- South Australia (1,257)
- Western Australia (1,066)
- Northern Territory (297)
- Australian Capital Territory (283)
- Tasmania (212)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (608)
- Melbourne, VIC (477)
- Sydney, NSW (348)
- Central Coast, NSW (282)
- Perth, WA (264)
- Blacktown, NSW (241)
- Adelaide, SA (237)
- Parramatta, NSW (234)
- Liverpool, NSW (213)
- Tarneit, VIC (198)
- Geelong, VIC (185)
- Ipswich, QLD (185)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Amazing Procare Toowoomba - 171 areas
- Allabilities Cares - 170 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is life transition planning?
Planning and mentoring to prepare for a major change, such as finishing school, moving out or starting work, so the change feels clearer and more manageable.
Who provides mentoring?
Mentors may be experienced support workers, coaches or peers with similar life experience. Ask providers about their approach and background.
When should I start planning?
The earlier the better. Starting well before a change gives time to explore options, build skills and set up the supports you will need.
How far ahead should I plan a big change?
As early as possible. Starting well before the change gives time to explore and prepare.
Can family come to planning sessions?
Yes, if you want them to. Involving family often helps everyone feel prepared.
What if my plans change?
That is normal. A good plan is flexible and reviewed regularly.
When should transition planning start?
As early as you can. Big changes usually involve several people and organisations, and starting early gives everyone time to prepare.
What is the role of a mentor?
A mentor offers guidance, encouragement and perspective, often from personal experience. They are not a therapist or a support worker, but a trusted person who helps you find your way.
Can transition planning help when leaving school?
Yes. Planning for life after school can include work, study, community activities and where and how you live, and it often begins in the last years of school.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Life transition planning and mentoring?
If Life transition planning and mentoring is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Life transition planning and mentoring provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.