A local area coordinator, or LAC, provides free help to understand the NDIS, apply for access, and connect with services. A support coordinator is a provider you choose, paid through funding in your plan, who helps you organise and manage your supports.
Their work overlaps in some areas. Understanding the difference helps you know who to contact, what assistance to expect and how each role fits into your support arrangements.
Local Area Coordinators Help You Navigate the NDIS
A LAC works for a community organisation that partners with the NDIA. They can help people with disability understand the scheme and connect with community and mainstream services.
You do not need an approved NDIS plan to ask a local area coordination partner about applying or finding other support.
Local area coordination partners generally work with people aged 9 to 64. For children younger than nine, an early childhood partner is usually the starting point. Their assistance does not come out of your individual plan budget.
Once you become a participant, your main NDIS contact may be a LAC or another person, depending on your circumstances.
Support Coordinators Help You Organise Your Services
A support coordinator helps you put your funded supports into practice. This can include comparing providers, arranging services, understanding agreements and resolving difficulties.
They also help you build the skills and confidence to direct your own support. You remain responsible for your choices, with assistance where you need it.
Understanding what support coordination involves can help you decide whether this assistance would address the difficulties you are experiencing.
Support coordination requires an allocation in your plan. It is not automatically included for every participant.
Here’s a Quick Look at How They Compare
| Area | Local Area Coordinator | Support Coordinator |
| Who provides the assistance | An organisation working as an NDIS partner | A provider you choose |
| How it is paid for | Funded through the NDIS partner arrangement | Paid from your allocated support coordination budget |
| Help before NDIS access | Can help you understand access and community options | Cannot claim NDIS support coordination fees without relevant plan funding |
| Main focus | Understanding the NDIS, community connections and assistance using your plan | Coordinating services and building your ability to manage supports |
| Provider assistance | Can help you find or change providers | Can assist with referrals, agreements, service gaps and coordination |
| Funding decisions | Does not approve NDIS funding | Does not approve NDIS funding |
The distinction is not that only one can help you find providers. Both can assist. Funded support coordination allows for more targeted work around your assessed coordination needs and available budget.
Your Main NDIS Contact May Be Someone Else
Not every participant has a LAC as their main contact. The name and details of your my NDIS contact are recorded in your plan. This person may work for an NDIS partner, an early childhood partner or the NDIA.
For example, participants with complex support needs or those in areas without an NDIS partner may have an NDIA staff member as their contact.
Your my NDIS contact can help you understand your plan, use participant systems and ask about changes. Having a support coordinator does not remove this contact point.
Choosing Who to Contact
Start with the issue you need help resolving.
For NDIS Access and Plan Questions
Contact your LAC or my NDIS contact when you need help with:
- Understanding how to apply for the NDIS.
- Finding community or mainstream services.
- Understanding information about your plan.
- Asking about the process for changing your plan.
- Identifying the evidence needed for a reassessment.
If you are not yet a participant, a local NDIS partner can help you understand your next steps.
For Providers and Service Arrangements
If you have funded support coordination, contact your coordinator when you need help with:
- Finding suitable providers and checking availability.
- Getting approved supports started.
- Understanding service agreements.
- Resolving a gap after a provider stops delivering support.
- Coordinating communication between services.
- Gathering reports about how your supports are working.
There will be some overlap. If you are unsure, explain the issue to the person you already know and ask who should handle the next step.
You Can Have Both Roles Involved
You can have funded support coordination while a LAC remains your my NDIS contact.
For example, your LAC may explain the process for requesting a plan change. Your support coordinator may help gather provider reports and document the gaps in your current services.
Agree on responsibilities early so that tasks do not get missed or duplicated. Useful questions include:
- Who will follow up with providers?
- Who will help organise supporting reports?
- Who will explain the NDIA process?
- How will information be shared with my consent?
- Who should I contact for an update?
A short written summary makes these arrangements easier to follow.
Support Coordination Requires Its Own Funding
LAC assistance does not use your plan budget. Support coordination is paid from the relevant Capacity Building allocation in your plan.
That budget is limited. Ask your coordinator how they will divide their time between your priorities and keep you informed about spending.
Capacity Building categories are stated supports, so money cannot be freely transferred between them. Do not assume unused Core or therapy funding can pay for support coordination.
If coordination is not funded, discuss your needs with your my NDIS contact before agreeing to paid services.
Requesting More Help With Coordination
Being referred to a support coordinator does not mean funding has been approved.
If your current assistance is insufficient, explain what you are struggling to manage and how it affects your access to support.
Specific examples are useful. You might describe repeated service gaps, difficulty arranging several providers or problems understanding and acting on service agreements.
Relevant reports can help explain why additional coordination is needed. Preparing information for an NDIS plan review or reassessment should focus on your needs and the assistance that would address them.
The NDIA decides whether to fund support coordination and at which level. Neither a LAC nor a provider can guarantee approval.
Finding Your LAC or NDIS Contact
If you already have a plan, check the contact details recorded in it.
If you are applying or cannot identify the right office, you can find NDIS offices and local partners or call 1800 800 110.
When arranging a conversation, explain what you need help with. Mention any communication or access requirements, such as an interpreter, an accessible meeting space, or having someone you trust attend.
Write down your main questions beforehand and ask who will follow up after the meeting.
Choosing a Support Coordinator
Check your funding before comparing providers. Look for someone who understands your needs, explains their work clearly and has time to provide the assistance you require.
Ask about their availability, fees, communication arrangements and experience with similar circumstances. They should also explain how they manage any relationships with providers they recommend.
If your support coordination funding is NDIA-managed, you need a registered provider. With plan-managed or self-managed funding, you can generally choose a registered or unregistered coordinator.
Read the service agreement before signing, including cancellation terms and the notice required to end the arrangement.
Addressing Problems With Your Current Coordinator
If you are unsure what your coordinator is doing, ask for a summary of completed work, spending and outstanding tasks.
Explain any concerns about slow responses, missed follow-ups, or pressure to choose particular providers. You can use the provider’s complaints process or contact the NDIS Commission about concerns involving the quality or safety of support.
You can change coordinators. Check your service agreement’s notice period and organise a handover with your consent to reduce disruption.
Get Help With Hyre Support Coordination
Hyre Support Coordination helps participants understand their funded supports, compare providers and keep services working together.
Our support coordination in Melbourne focuses on your goals, choices and the practical assistance you need to use your plan.
If you have support coordination funding and want to discuss your options, contact our team or call to arrange a free 30-minute plan review.