When you receive an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, it can feel overwhelming.
There are services, funding categories, providers, reports, and rules — and suddenly you’re expected to manage all of it.
That’s where Support Coordination, Plan Management, and LACs (Local Area Coordinators) come in.
Although these roles often sound similar, they do very different jobs. Choosing the right one (or combination) can make a huge difference to how smoothly your NDIS journey goes.
This blog explains everything in very simple language, with examples, tables, and clear comparisons.
Why understanding these roles matters
Many participants:
- Don’t use their full NDIS funding
- Feel stressed or confused
- Choose services that don’t really help
- Miss out on supports they are entitled to
Understanding who does what helps you:
- Use your funding correctly
- Get better outcomes
- Reduce stress
- Stay in control of your plan
Quick overview (at a glance)
Role | Main Purpose | Who They Help |
|---|---|---|
Support Coordinator | Helps you understand and use your NDIS plan | Participants who need guidance and support |
Plan Manager | Manages payments, invoices, and budgets | Participants who don’t want to handle finances |
LAC (Local Area Coordinator) | Helps you access NDIS and basic supports | New participants or those with simple needs |
Now let’s look at each one in detail.
1. What is Support Coordination?
Support Coordination is a funded NDIS service that helps you understand, implement, and manage your plan.
A Support Coordinator works with you, not for providers or the NDIA. Their focus is your goals.
What a Support Coordinator actually does
A Support Coordinator can help you:
- Understand your NDIS plan line by line
- Identify the supports you are funded for
- Find and connect with the right service providers
- Book appointments and services
- Coordinate between multiple providers
- Solve problems when services break down
- Prepare for plan reviews
- Build your confidence to manage supports independently
Example
You have funding for:
- Support workers
- Therapy
- Community access
Your Support Coordinator helps you:
- Find suitable providers
- Compare options
- Set up service agreements
- Make sure services work together
Levels of Support Coordination
Level | Who It’s For |
|---|---|
Support Connection | Short-term help to get started |
Support Coordination | Ongoing assistance managing services |
Specialist Support Coordination | Complex needs, crises, or high-risk situations |
Key benefits of Support Coordination
- Reduces stress
- Saves time
- Helps you make informed decisions
- Prevents service gaps
- Improves quality of life
2. What is Plan Management?
Plan Management is all about money and paperwork — not services.
A Plan Manager helps you pay providers and track your NDIS budget.
What a Plan Manager does
- Pays provider invoices on your behalf
- Tracks your spending
- Helps you understand your budget
- Gives you regular financial reports
- Allows you to use registered and non-registered providers
What a Plan Manager does NOT do
- They don’t choose providers for you
- They don’t coordinate services
- They don’t attend meetings for you
Example
You receive an invoice from your therapist.
Instead of paying it yourself:
- You send it to your Plan Manager
- They check it
- They pay it from your NDIS funds
- You receive a budget update
Key benefits of Plan Management
- No invoice stress
- Better budget visibility
- More provider choice
- No out-of-pocket payments
3. What are LACs (Local Area Coordinators)?
Local Area Coordinators (LACs) are government-funded workers who help people access and navigate the NDIS.
They usually support:
- New participants
- People with lower or simpler support needs
What an LAC does
- Helps you apply for the NDIS
- Explains how the NDIS works
- Assists with goal setting
- Helps connect to mainstream and community supports
- Conducts plan check-ins
What LACs cannot do
- They do not provide ongoing, personalised coordination
- They do not manage invoices
- They do not advocate strongly in complex situations
- They support many participants at once, so time is limited
Example
If you’re new to the NDIS:
- An LAC explains the system
- Helps you prepare for your first plan
- Refers you to basic services
Detailed comparison table
Feature | Support Coordination | Plan Management | LAC |
|---|---|---|---|
Ongoing personal support | Yes | No | Limited |
Helps choose providers | Yes | No | Basic |
Manages payments | No | Yes | No |
Funded in NDIS plan | Yes | Yes | Government-funded |
Best for complex needs | Yes | No | No |
Time flexibility | High | Medium | Low |
Can you use all three together?
Yes — and many people do.
Common combinations
- Support Coordination + Plan Management
Most popular and effective combination - LAC + Plan Management
Suitable for very simple needs - Support Coordination only
If you self-manage finances
Most popular and effective combination
Which option is right for you?
Choose Support Coordination if:
- You feel overwhelmed
- You have multiple providers
- Your needs are complex
- You want help preparing for reviews
Choose Plan Management if:
- You don’t want to deal with invoices
- You want flexibility in choosing providers
- You want clear budget tracking
Use an LAC if:
- You are new to NDIS
- Your needs are simple
- You just need general guidance
Final thoughts
Support Coordination, Plan Management, and LACs are not the same — and they are not interchangeable.
Each plays a different role:
- Support Coordinators help you navigate and succeed
- Plan Managers help you stay financially organised
- LACs help you enter and understand the system
Choosing the right mix can make your NDIS journey simpler, smoother, and more empowering.
Want to know what’s best for your situation?
We’d love to hear from you.
If you’d like to learn more about how these supports work, our approach, or our story, feel free to:
- Leave a comment below
- Or contact us directly through our website
Your journey matters, and the right support can make all the difference.