If you have ever asked how is support coordination funded, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions participants have when they first read their NDIS plan. The good news is that the answer is fairly simple once you know where to look.
Understanding how is support coordination funded helps you use your plan with confidence. In this guide we explain where the funding sits, how it is different from your other budgets, how the hours are decided, and what to do if support coordination is not in your plan yet. No jargon, just plain English.
Let us break it down.
Where does support coordination sit in your plan?
Every NDIS plan is split into three main budgets:
- Core supports for everyday help, like support workers and consumables
- Capacity Building for building your skills and independence
- Capital for higher-cost items like equipment and home modifications
Support coordination sits inside the Capacity Building budget, under its own category called "Support Coordination". This is an important detail. Because it lives in Capacity Building, it is kept separate from the Core budget you use for support worker hours.
In other words, using your support coordination does not reduce your day-to-day support hours. They come from different pots. You get help to organise your plan and you keep your hands-on supports.
How is support coordination funded compared to other budgets?
It helps to see it side by side. Here is a simple comparison of where support coordination sits against the other parts of your plan.
Budget area | What it is for | Where support coordination fits |
|---|---|---|
Core supports | Everyday help such as support workers and consumables | Not here |
Capacity Building | Building skills, independence, and connecting supports | Yes, under Support Coordination |
Capital | Equipment, assistive technology, home modifications | Not here |
So when people ask how is support coordination funded, the short answer is: through a dedicated line in your Capacity Building budget, completely separate from Core.
Stated vs flexible funding
There are two ways funding can appear in your plan, and the difference matters.
Stated funding is set aside for one specific purpose. If your support coordination is "stated", that money can only be spent on support coordination. It cannot be moved to another support.
Flexible funding can be used across different supports within the same budget category. Much of Capacity Building can be flexible, but support coordination is very often stated, meaning it is locked in just for coordination.
Being stated is usually a good thing. It protects your coordination funding so it is there when you need it, and it cannot be quietly used up on something else.
How are the amount and hours decided?
The NDIS decides how much support coordination to include based on your individual situation. There is no single fixed amount, because everyone's needs are different.
Things that can influence your funding include:
- How complex your situation and supports are
- Whether you are new to the NDIS and finding your feet
- How many providers and services you need to connect
- Whether you have informal supports, like family, to help
- Your goals and what you are working towards
- Any major changes happening in your life
Your funding is usually expressed as a dollar amount, which then translates into a number of hours based on the price guide. Your coordinator can help you understand roughly how many hours that gives you and how to make them last.
Level 2 and Level 3 support coordination
You may also see different levels of coordination. The two most common are Level 2 and Level 3.
Level | Name | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
Level 2 | Support Coordination | Most participants who need help connecting and managing supports |
Level 3 | Specialist Support Coordination | More complex situations that need a higher level of expertise |
Level 2 is the most common and covers a broad range of coordination work. Level 3, or Specialist Support Coordination, is for more complex circumstances. You can read more about Level 2 support coordination and Level 3 support coordination to see which fits your needs.
Does it come out of my Core budget?
No, and this is worth repeating because so many people worry about it. Support coordination is funded in Capacity Building, not Core. Your support worker hours are safe. Using a coordinator to organise your plan will not shrink the everyday help you rely on.
What if support coordination is not in my plan?
Sometimes participants find that support coordination is not included, even though they feel they would benefit. If that is you, do not panic. You can request it, usually at your plan review.
Here is how to give yourself the best chance:
- Keep notes. Write down the times you struggled to organise or connect your supports.
- Gather evidence. Letters from allied health professionals or your GP can help.
- Show the need. Explain why coordinating your plan is hard to do alone.
- Link it to your goals. Show how coordination would help you reach them.
- Prepare for the review. Come ready to talk clearly about what you need.
Preparing well makes a real difference. Our free participant toolbox has resources to help you get ready, and we are always happy to talk you through it.
Making your support coordination funding last
Once support coordination is in your plan, it helps to use it wisely so it lasts the whole plan period. Your funding is meant to cover the full length of your plan, so a good coordinator will pace the work with you rather than use it all up in the first few months.
Here are some simple ways to get the most from your funding:
- Be clear about your priorities. Tell your coordinator what matters most so their time goes to the right places.
- Build your own skills. A good coordinator teaches you to manage more of your plan yourself over time, which stretches your hours further.
- Keep in touch. Quick check-ins can head off problems before they grow into big, time-consuming ones.
- Track your progress. Ask roughly how many hours you have used so there are no surprises later.
Support coordination is designed to build your confidence and independence, not to make you dependent. The aim is for you to need less of it over time, not more.
A quick word on plan reviews
Your plan review, sometimes called a reassessment, is your chance to get the supports right for the year ahead. It is worth preparing for. Think about what worked, what did not, and what you want to change. If support coordination helped you this year, say so. If you needed it and did not have it, bring your evidence and ask.
Final thoughts on how is support coordination funded
So, how is support coordination funded? It sits in the Capacity Building budget under its own "Support Coordination" category, separate from Core, and often stated so it is protected. The amount depends on your needs, and if it is missing you can request it at your review with good evidence. Knowing how is support coordination funded puts you in control of your plan.
If you would like a hand, you can contact us, book a 15-minute call, or phone +61 3 7047 6747. We respond to every referral within one business day and would love to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is support coordination funded by the NDIS?
Yes. When it is included in your plan, support coordination is funded by the NDIS as a specific support. It gives you access to a coordinator who helps you understand and use your plan. If it is not in your plan, you can ask for it to be added at your review.
Where is support coordination in my NDIS plan?
Support coordination sits in the Capacity Building budget, under its own category called Support Coordination. It is kept separate from your Core supports. If you are not sure whether it is in your plan, a coordinator or the NDIS can help you check.
How many hours of support coordination will I get?
There is no fixed number, because it depends on your individual situation. Your funding is given as a dollar amount that translates into hours based on the price guide. Factors like how complex your supports are and whether you are new to the NDIS can affect the amount.
What if support coordination is not in my plan?
If support coordination is not included, you can usually request it at your plan review. It helps to keep notes on where you struggled to coordinate supports and to gather evidence, such as letters from health professionals. Linking the request to your goals also strengthens your case.
Does support coordination come out of my core budget?
No. Support coordination is funded in the Capacity Building budget, not Core. That means using a support coordinator does not reduce your support worker hours or your everyday Core supports. The two budgets are kept separate.