Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
NDIS Capacity Building support
A higher level of support coordination for people in complex situations, who need extra help to resolve barriers and get supports working together.
The short answer
Specialist support coordination is a higher level of support coordination for people in complex situations, who need extra help to resolve barriers and get supports working together.
About Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
Some people face complex circumstances, such as a risk of homelessness, conflict between services, multiple health and disability needs or difficulty getting supports in place. Specialist support coordinators work with these situations. They help resolve barriers, manage risks and get different services to work together.
The coordinator usually takes an active role for a period, focusing on stabilising the situation and building the person's capacity and their network of supports. As things settle, a lower level of coordination may be enough. The goal is not to replace other supports, but to help make them work.
Because the situations are complex, experience matters. Ask about their background, how they work with clinicians and other services and how they measure success. You may also want to ask how they will keep you informed and involved throughout.
Who is this service for?
People in complex situations, or at risk, who need extra help to resolve barriers and get their supports working together.
What a typical session looks like
A specialist support coordinator works with people who have complex needs or face significant barriers, such as being at risk of homelessness, in a hospital or in an unsafe situation. Contact may be frequent and involve several people and agencies, so the coordinator keeps a close watch on how things are progressing.
Typical tasks include assessing risks, bringing together the professionals involved, organising urgent supports, solving problems as they arise and building the person's capacity to manage on their own. The work is intensive at first, and the coordinator focuses on stabilising the situation and then on setting up a sustainable arrangement.
Who delivers this support
Specialist support coordinators are experienced professionals, often with backgrounds in social work, psychology, occupational therapy or community services. Ask about their experience with people in similar situations, their availability and how they work with other agencies. They should also explain how they will support you to build your own skills.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about experience with complex situations like yours.
- Find out how they work with health, housing and other services.
- Check how they communicate with you and your family.
- Ask how they measure progress and when support is expected to reduce.
- Ask about their availability and how urgent matters are handled.
Questions to ask a provider
- What experience do you have with situations as complex as mine?
- How often will we be in contact, and how quickly can you respond?
- How will you work with the other services and agencies involved?
- What is the plan for stabilising things and then reducing intensive support?
- How will you help me build my own skills and confidence?
- How do you handle crises or urgent problems?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not agreeing on clear goals for the intensive period.
- Leaving other agencies out of the loop.
- Not planning for what happens when the coordination reduces.
- Assuming the coordinator will do everything for you rather than working with you.
- Not being clear about how to contact the coordinator urgently.
Getting started
- Talk to your planner about whether this support fits your situation.
- Gather information about your current supports and challenges.
- Meet a few coordinators and choose someone you trust.
- Agree goals and how you will review them.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
This support sits above the other coordination levels and is used for complex situations. It works with housing services, health services, mental health teams and providers. When the situation is more stable, the arrangement may move to a lower level of coordination, so it helps to agree what success looks like and what the next stage will be.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) 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 Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) 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 Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) 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.
Support coordination providers on the NDIS register
11,962 NDIS providers list support coordination supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing support coordination
- 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 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
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 13 Health Service Organisation - VIC; includes Donnybrook, VIC
See all 11,962 support coordination providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (4,077)
- Victoria (3,565)
- Queensland (2,127)
- South Australia (1,131)
- Western Australia (999)
- Northern Territory (274)
- Australian Capital Territory (262)
- Tasmania (209)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (541)
- Melbourne, VIC (444)
- Sydney, NSW (321)
- Central Coast, NSW (265)
- Perth, WA (245)
- Adelaide, SA (227)
- Blacktown, NSW (207)
- Parramatta, NSW (198)
- Liverpool, NSW (191)
- Tarneit, VIC (184)
- Geelong, VIC (177)
- Werribee, VIC (160)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 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 specialist support coordination?
A higher level of support coordination for people in complex or high-risk situations. The coordinator works to resolve barriers and get multiple supports working together.
How is it different from ordinary support coordination?
It is designed for more complex situations, and coordinators are expected to have specialist skills. Ask providers about their experience with your circumstances.
How do I get it?
Whether it fits your plan depends on your circumstances. Speak with your planner or Local Area Coordinator.
How is this different from ordinary support coordination?
It is intended for complex situations and involves more intensive work to resolve barriers.
Is it long-term?
Often it is for a defined period, with the aim of stabilising the situation.
Can I change my specialist coordinator?
Yes. Check the agreement for notice.
How is specialist support coordination different from ordinary coordination?
It is for people with more complex needs and higher risks, and involves more intensive work, including bringing together several agencies and resolving urgent problems.
Will I need this support forever?
Usually not. The aim is to stabilise the situation and then move to less intensive support as things improve.
Who decides if I need specialist coordination?
It is usually decided in the planning process, based on the person's needs and circumstances. Your planner or current coordinator can explain.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)?
If Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) 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 Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) 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.