If you or someone you support has a mental health condition and is an NDIS participant, Psychosocial Recovery Coaching (PRC) may be one of the most valuable supports in the plan — yet it is one of the least understood. This guide explains what it is, what it is not, who it suits, and how to access it.
What Is a Psychosocial Disability?
The NDIS uses the term "psychosocial disability" to describe the functional impact that a mental health condition has on a person's daily life. It is not a diagnosis — it is a description of how that diagnosis affects someone's ability to work, maintain relationships, manage daily tasks, and participate in the community.
Conditions that can create a psychosocial disability include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and others. A person does not need a specific diagnosis to be recognised as having a psychosocial disability — the NDIA assesses functional impact, not diagnosis alone.
What Psychosocial Recovery Coaching Is
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is an NDIS-funded support that pairs a participant with a recovery coach — someone who works alongside them using a strengths-based, recovery- oriented approach. The focus is on building the participant's own capacity, resilience, and sense of identity — rather than managing symptoms or crises.
A recovery coach might help with:
- Identifying personal recovery goals and breaking them into manageable steps
- Building confidence to engage with community services, employment, or education
- Developing daily routines and coping strategies
- Connecting with peer support groups or community organisations
- Navigating the NDIS plan and understanding what funded supports are available
- Building a personal crisis plan and identifying early warning signs
What Psychosocial Recovery Coaching Is NOT
Recovery coaching is not therapy or clinical treatment. A recovery coach does not provide counselling, prescribe medication, diagnose, or provide any form of clinical mental health service. It is also not the same as support coordination — though the two work well together (more on that below).
Recovery coaching works best alongside existing clinical care. If a participant sees a psychologist, psychiatrist, or GP, the recovery coach supports those therapeutic relationships rather than replacing them.
How It Is Funded in an NDIS Plan
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is funded under the Capacity Building budget, in the Support Coordination category. It is a separate line item from support coordination, meaning a participant can have both funded at the same time.
The NDIA decides whether to include PRC funding during a planning meeting. It is not automatically included — the participant or their support team needs to make the case for it. Evidence from a psychiatrist, GP, or allied health professional supporting the need for recovery coaching will strengthen a funding request.
What a Recovery Coaching Session Actually Looks Like
Sessions are flexible and participant-led. They might happen at the participant's home, in a café, in a park, or via video call — wherever the participant feels comfortable. A typical session might involve reviewing how the week went, working through a goal-setting exercise, or accompanying the participant to a community activity they have been building the confidence to try.
The frequency of sessions varies. Some participants benefit from weekly contact initially and reduce contact as their confidence grows. Others maintain fortnightly contact as an ongoing anchor. The participant and their coach decide together what works.
Recovery Coach vs Support Coordinator — What Is the Difference?
These two roles are often confused. Here is a simple way to think about them:
| Recovery Coach | Support Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Focused on recovery identity and personal goals | Focused on implementing the NDIS plan |
| Strengths-based, peer-informed approach | Service coordination and provider connections |
| Builds participant capacity and confidence | Builds participant ability to manage their plan |
| Funded under Capacity Building: Support Coordination | Funded under Capacity Building: Support Coordination |
Can a Participant Have Both?
Yes — and many participants benefit significantly from having both. At 360 SC, we provide both supports in-house, which means your support coordinator and recovery coach can work as a coordinated team. There is no duplication or confusion between the two roles — they serve different purposes and work together to provide comprehensive support.
How to Request PRC Funding in a Plan Review
If a participant's current NDIS plan does not include Psychosocial Recovery Coaching, they can request it at their next plan review. To support the request:
- Gather a letter or report from a psychiatrist, GP, or psychologist that describes the functional impact of the mental health condition and supports the need for PRC
- If the participant has a support coordinator, ask them to help document the need in a pre-planning report
- Be specific about goals — what outcomes is PRC expected to help achieve?
- If the plan review is a scheduled review, put the request in writing to the NDIA before the meeting so it can be considered in advance
360 SC provides Psychosocial Recovery Coaching in Melbourne, Perth, and Albury Wodonga.
Our recovery coaches have experience with a wide range of mental health conditions and work alongside our support coordinators to deliver integrated support.