Social work
NDIS Capacity Building support
Social workers help people work through practical and emotional challenges, connect with services and understand their rights and options.
The short answer
Social workers help people work through practical and emotional challenges, connect with services and understand their rights and options.
About Social work
Social workers support people during difficult times and help them make sense of complex systems. They might help with a family crisis, housing or financial stress, navigating health and disability services, advocating for your rights or dealing with major life changes.
They use counselling skills, knowledge of services and understanding of how social factors affect wellbeing. A social worker can help you identify what you need, connect you with the right services and speak up alongside you where it helps.
Social workers usually have a university degree and many are members of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Ask about their experience with your situation, whether they can see you at home or online and how they will work with your other supports.
Who is this service for?
People who want help working through practical or emotional challenges, connecting with services or understanding their rights and options.
What a typical session looks like
A social work appointment usually starts with listening to your situation and what matters to you. The social worker asks about your circumstances, relationships, housing, money, health and supports, and looks for ways to improve things. They may help you understand your options, connect you with services and speak up for you when you need it.
Support can involve practical steps, such as completing applications, arranging services or organising a family meeting, as well as emotional support in difficult times. Social workers also work with families and carers, and can help with complex situations that involve several agencies.
Who delivers this support
Social workers hold a recognised university qualification and many are members of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Some specialise in areas such as health, mental health, child protection, aged care or disability. Ask about experience with your situation, and how they work with other professionals and services.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about the social worker's qualifications and membership of a professional association.
- Find out whether they have experience with your situation.
- Check whether they can see you at home or online.
- Ask how they work with your other supports.
- Ask how they handle confidentiality.
Questions to ask a provider
- What qualifications do you have, and are you a member of the professional association?
- Do you have experience with situations like mine?
- How will you help me understand my options and make my own decisions?
- How do you work with other services and professionals?
- How is my privacy protected?
- How will we review whether the support is helping?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until a situation becomes a crisis before asking for help.
- Expecting the social worker to make decisions for you.
- Not sharing the full picture, so help misses the real problem.
- Not checking qualifications and professional membership.
- Not asking who will follow up on the actions agreed.
Getting started
- Think about the issues you want help with.
- Contact social workers and ask about their approach.
- Book a first session and share what is happening.
- Agree next steps and how often you will meet.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Social work supports work alongside support coordination, counselling, health services and advocacy. Because a social worker takes a broad view of a person's life, they can be helpful when several problems overlap. It is useful to be clear about what you want them to help with and how they will keep you informed.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Social work 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 Social work 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 Social work 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.
Therapy services providers on the NDIS register
10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing therapy services
- 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
- 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
- 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
- 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC
See all 10,460 therapy services providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (3,918)
- Victoria (2,645)
- Queensland (2,122)
- South Australia (967)
- Western Australia (833)
- Tasmania (251)
- Australian Capital Territory (234)
- Northern Territory (155)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (576)
- Melbourne, VIC (354)
- Sydney, NSW (338)
- Central Coast, NSW (262)
- Parramatta, NSW (198)
- Perth, WA (188)
- Adelaide, SA (186)
- Blacktown, NSW (180)
- Liverpool, NSW (168)
- Campbelltown, NSW (160)
- Ipswich, QLD (154)
- Canberra, ACT (153)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Physihome - 316 areas
- Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
- Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
- Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
- Number 1 Care Provider - 134 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
- Specialised driver training
- Specialist Positive Behaviour Support
- Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
- Speech pathology
Frequently asked questions
What does a social worker do?
A social worker helps people work through practical and emotional challenges, connect with services, understand their rights and options and get support during difficult times.
When might I see a social worker?
Common reasons include complex family situations, navigating services, housing or financial stress and major life changes.
How do I find a qualified social worker?
Look for someone eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, and ask about their experience with your situation.
How is a social worker different from a counsellor?
Their roles overlap. Social workers often focus on practical support and connecting with services as well as emotional support.
Can a social worker help with housing?
They can help you understand your options and connect with services.
Is what I say confidential?
Social workers keep information private, with limited exceptions. They explain this at the start.
What is the difference between a social worker and a support coordinator?
A social worker takes a broad view of a person's circumstances and can provide counselling and advocacy. A support coordinator focuses on helping you use your plan and connect with providers.
Can a social worker help my family?
Yes. Social workers often work with families and carers, especially when there are complex needs or several services involved.
Is what I tell a social worker confidential?
Generally yes, with limited exceptions where safety is at serious risk. The social worker will explain this at the start.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Social work?
If Social work 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 Social work 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.