The 3 Levels of Support Coordination in the NDIS Explained
💡 Quick Summary
The NDIS funds three levels of support coordination: Support Connection, Support Coordination, and Specialist Support Coordination. Each level is tailored to different tiers of complexity and risk, helping participants understand their plans and connect with providers. Because funding isn't automatic, participants must actively request the specific level that matches their individual needs.
Most participants don't know the NDIS funds three levels of support coordination. Support coordination is help to understand and use your NDIS plan. The level you get can change how well your plan works for you.
Getting the right level isn't automatic. You need to ask for it and explain why you need it. You also need to know what each level can and can't do.
Key takeaways
- The NDIS funds three levels of support coordination: Support Connection (Level 1), Support Coordination (Level 2), and Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3).
- Each level suits different needs. Complexity, risk, and your own capacity all matter.
- You must have support coordination funded in your plan before you can use it. It is not automatic.
- If your needs are complex or you're in crisis, you may qualify for Specialist Support Coordination. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) funds this at a higher rate.
Why is support coordination so hard to understand?
Support coordination is one of the most misunderstood parts of the NDIS. Many participants don't know it exists until they're already struggling. Others have it in their plan but don't know what their coordinator should do for them.
The words don't help. The NDIS uses "support coordination" to describe two very different roles. One is a general coordination role. The other is a specialist clinical role. Both sit in the same funding category, called Capacity Building — Support Coordination. But they are not the same.
There are also common traps. Some participants are approved for a lower level when they clearly need a higher one. Others use their coordination hours on tasks their coordinator shouldn't do, like direct support work. This burns through funding fast. Many participants also don't know they can ask for a plan review if their level no longer fits their needs.
In our experience, the most common mistake is thinking that having any support coordination is enough. The level matters just as much as having it at all.
How do the levels of support coordination in the NDIS work?
The NDIS recognises three levels. Here is what each one means in plain language.
| Level | NDIS Name | Who it's for | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Support Connection | People with lower complexity needs | Help understanding your plan and connecting to providers |
| Level 2 | Support Coordination | People with moderate complexity | Coordinating multiple supports, building your skills, resolving issues |
| Level 3 | Specialist Support Coordination | People with high complexity or risk | Clinical-level coordination, crisis support, complex service navigation |
Level 1 — Support Connection
This is the basic level. It helps you understand your plan. It also helps you connect with the right providers. It is usually short-term.
The NDIA may fund this for people who are new to the NDIS. It also suits people with fairly simple needs. A Support Connection worker is not expected to manage complex services or respond to crises.
Level 2 — NDIS Support Coordination Level 2
This is the most commonly funded level. NDIS support coordination Level 2 is formally called Support Coordination. It suits people who need ongoing help to coordinate many supports across different providers.
A Level 2 coordinator helps you get the most from your plan. They work with your providers so supports run smoothly. They help you build your own skills to manage supports over time. They also help with plan reviews.
According to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, Support Coordination is funded under the Capacity Building budget, not the Core budget. This means it cannot be used for direct support work.
Level 3 — Specialist Support Coordination NDIS
Specialist support coordination NDIS is the highest and most intensive level. It suits people who face major complexity, risk, or barriers.
This includes people with psychosocial disability, which is disability linked to a mental health condition. It also suits people at risk of homelessness, people leaving hospital or the justice system, and people in crisis.
A Specialist Support Coordinator usually holds formal qualifications in social work, psychology, or a related field. The NDIA funds this at a higher hourly rate than Level 2. This reflects the clinical skill required.
According to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements, Specialist Support Coordination is billed under a separate line item (07_002_0106_8) to standard Support Coordination (07_001_0106_8).
Who qualifies for each level?
The NDIA decides which level to fund based on your situation. Factors that shape this decision include:
- The number and complexity of your funded supports
- Whether you have informal supports, like family or carers, who can help you navigate your plan
- Your disability type and how it affects your ability to manage services on your own
- Whether you are in a high-risk situation, such as a crisis, hospital discharge, or justice involvement
- Your history with the NDIS and your capacity to self-direct your supports
You do not get support coordination just because you have an NDIS plan. The NDIA must be satisfied that it is "reasonable and necessary" for your situation. So you, or your planner, Local Area Coordinator, or Support Coordinator, need to make a clear case. A Local Area Coordinator is a person who helps you understand and start your plan.
What is your step-by-step action plan?
- Check your current plan. Open your plan in the myplace portal. Or ask your planner to confirm whether support coordination is funded, at what level, and how many hours or dollars you have.
- Understand what your coordinator can and can't do. Level 1 is for connection only. Level 2 is for coordination and building your skills. Level 3 is for complex, clinical-level navigation. If your coordinator does tasks outside their level, your funding may run out faster than it should.
- Check whether your level matches your needs. Ask yourself a few questions. Am I managing many providers? Am I in crisis or at risk? Do I have a psychosocial, complex physical, or intellectual disability that makes services hard to navigate? If yes, you may need Level 2 or Level 3.
- Gather evidence before your plan review. Collect reports from your health professionals, support workers, or allied health team. These should describe your needs and why a higher level is necessary. The more specific the evidence, the stronger your case.
- Request the right level at your planning meeting. Don't wait to be offered it. Say clearly: "I am requesting Support Coordination at Level 2 (or Specialist Support Coordination) because..." and point to your evidence. Bring a support person or advocate if you need one.
- If your request is refused, ask for a review. You have the right to ask for an internal review of any NDIA decision. The NDIA must give written reasons for its decision. If the internal review fails, you can escalate to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
- Review your coordination regularly. Your needs change. At every plan review, check whether your level is still right. If your situation has become more complex, ask for an upgrade.
What does this look like in real life?
Here is an illustrative example. A participant in their mid-thirties lives with a psychosocial disability, with bipolar disorder and anxiety. They had been on the NDIS for two years with only Level 1 Support Connection funded.
During that time, they struggled to coordinate their psychiatrist, community mental health team, and support workers without steady help. Their plan kept underspending because they couldn't navigate the system alone.
At their plan review, their psychiatrist wrote a letter. It described how their disability affected their ability to manage complex services. Their GP added a supporting letter. Together, they made the case for Specialist Support Coordination. The NDIA approved it.
With a Specialist Support Coordinator in place, their supports were properly coordinated for the first time. Crisis episodes reduced. Plan use improved. The key was the evidence. It was not just a verbal request, but documented clinical proof tied to their functional needs.
You can replicate this. Gather specific evidence from your treating team before your planning meeting. Then name the level you are requesting clearly.
How can you get help in Melbourne?
If you're in Melbourne and unsure which level is right for you, the NDIA's Melbourne offices can be reached on 1800 800 110. The NDIS website (ndis.gov.au) has updated pricing and line item details under the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
Lumincare's Support Coordination team works with participants across many complexity levels. This ranges from people just starting out to those in high-risk or crisis situations. We can help you understand what to ask for at your next plan review.
The right level of coordination doesn't just make your plan easier to manage. It can genuinely change what your NDIS funding achieves for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three levels of support coordination in the NDIS?
The NDIS funds three levels: Level 1 (Support Connection), which helps participants understand their plan and connect to providers; Level 2 (Support Coordination), which coordinates multiple supports and builds participant capacity; and Level 3 (Specialist Support Coordination), which provides clinical-level coordination for participants with high complexity or risk. Each level is funded under the Capacity Building budget and must be approved in your NDIS plan before you can use it.
How do I know if I qualify for Specialist Support Coordination?
Specialist Support Coordination is designed for participants who face significant complexity, risk, or barriers — such as those with psychosocial disability, people leaving hospital or the justice system, or participants in crisis. The NDIA assesses eligibility based on your functional needs, the complexity of your support environment, and whether standard Support Coordination is sufficient. Strong evidence from treating health professionals significantly improves your chances of approval.
Is support coordination automatically included in every NDIS plan?
No. Support coordination is not automatic. The NDIA must decide it is 'reasonable and necessary' for your individual situation. You need to request it at your planning meeting and provide evidence of why you need it. If it is not currently in your plan, you can raise it at your next plan review or request an unscheduled review if your circumstances have changed significantly.
What is the difference between Support Coordination Level 2 and Specialist Support Coordination?
NDIS Support Coordination Level 2 is a general coordination role — helping participants manage multiple providers, use their plan effectively, and build their own capacity over time. Specialist Support Coordination is a higher-intensity, clinical-level role for participants with complex needs. Specialist coordinators typically hold formal qualifications in social work, psychology, or a related discipline, and are funded at a higher hourly rate under a separate NDIS line item (07_002_0106_8).
Can I upgrade my support coordination level if my needs change?
Yes. If your circumstances have become more complex — for example, a new diagnosis, a crisis, or a significant change in your living situation — you can request a plan review and ask for a higher level of support coordination. Bring updated evidence from your treating team that clearly describes how your functional needs have changed and why a higher coordination level is now necessary. The NDIA must consider this evidence when making its decision.
Written and reviewed by the LuminCare team — a registered NDIS provider supporting participants across Australia. Last updated 10 July 2026. This article is general information, not personal advice; for decisions about your plan, speak with your support coordinator or the NDIA.
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