Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be overwhelming, especially when trying to understand the different roles involved in supporting participants. Two of the most commonly confused roles are Local Area Coordinators (LACs) and Support Coordinators. While both help participants connect with supports, they serve very different purposes and are funded in different ways.
This article breaks down each role in simple terms—what they do, who they help, and how they are paid—so you can make informed decisions for yourself, your family, or the people you support.
What is a Local Area Coordinator (LAC)?
Local Area Coordinators are employed by NDIS partner organisations, not private disability service providers. They are allocated automatically based on the participant’s location. Participants cannot choose their LAC.
What LACs Do
LACs help participants by:
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Assisting people to access the NDIS and understand eligibility.
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Developing the first NDIS plan and supporting early planning conversations.
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Linking participants to community and mainstream services (e.g., health, education, local programs).
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Offering information about the NDIS, supports, and local resources.
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Checking in during the plan to help track progress or request reassessments.
What LACs Do Not Do
LACs do not:
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Provide ongoing coordination for complex needs.
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Manage budgets, negotiate provider agreements, or coordinate multiple services.
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Provide case management or service oversight.
Their work is generally light‑touch support connection, intended for participants with lower or stable support needs.
Who Pays for an LAC?
LAC services are free.
They are paid for directly by the NDIS through partner organisations. Participants do not need funding in their plan for LAC support.
They are paid for directly by the NDIS through partner organisations. Participants do not need funding in their plan for LAC support.
What is a Support Coordinator?
A Support Coordinator is a professional chosen by the participant (as long as their plan includes Support Coordination funding). They work closely and hands‑on with participants who require additional help to manage providers, services, and plan implementation.
What Support Coordinators Do
Support Coordinators provide personalised, ongoing assistance, including:
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Helping participants deeply understand and implement their plan.
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Assisting with service agreements, bookings, and provider selection.
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Coordinating multiple providers and ensuring services run smoothly.
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Troubleshooting issues and helping participants resolve service delivery problems.
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Supporting plan reassessments and preparing documentation.
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Building the participant’s capacity to eventually manage services independently.
Levels of Support Coordination
There are three levels:
- Support Connection – short‑term help to connect with services.
- Support Coordination – ongoing, medium‑level assistance.
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Specialist Support Coordination – complex, high‑risk, and high‑needs support.
Who Pays for a Support Coordinator?
Support Coordinators are paid through the participant’s NDIS plan, specifically from the Capacity Building budget, if it is included. Participants don’t pay out of pocket, but not everyone receives this funding.
Key Differences at a Glance
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Feature
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Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
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Support Coordinator
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|---|---|---|
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Who they work for
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NDIS partner organisations
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Independent NDIS‑registered (or unregistered) providers
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Who chooses them
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Allocated automatically
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Participant chooses
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Main role
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Early planning, information, community connections
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Implementing plans, coordinating services, solving problems
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Level of support
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Light‑touch
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Medium to high, including specialist
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For complex needs?
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No
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Yes
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Who pays?
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NDIS (free to participant)
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Funded through participant’s plan if included
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Which One Do You Need?
You will automatically have an LAC assigned when joining the NDIS or when reviewing your plan. If your life, disability, or support needs are more complex—or you simply need help managing multiple providers—you may receive Support Coordination funding.
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Choose an LAC when you need:
Basic connection to community supports, plan understanding, or NDIS guidance. -
Choose a Support Coordinator when you need:
Hands‑on support managing services, navigating the system, or engaging multiple providers.
Important Note About Support Coordination Funding
Just because you feel your needs require Support Coordination does not mean your planner or LAC will automatically recognise this. If you believe Support Coordination is essential, it’s important to request it directly- either yourself or through a family member, advocate, or care team.
Providing clear examples of your challenges, complexity, or barriers can strengthen the case for funding. Your planner can only include Support Coordination in your plan if they understand why you need it and how it will help you use your NDIS plan effectively.