Support coordination helps families make sense of an NDIS plan and turn it into real, working supports for their child. This guide explains what support coordination involves, when it can help, and how to choose a provider in Launceston — including the providers we feature on this page.
Registered NDIS provider in Launceston offering Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Exercise Physiology, Positive Behaviour Support and Dietetics. Telehealth available. Functional assessments, therapy plans and reports provided; appointment availability varies by service.
Support coordination is help to understand and put an NDIS plan into action. A support coordinator works alongside your family to connect you with therapists, community supports and mainstream services, and to make sure the funding in your child's plan is being used well.
For children, this often means helping parents find and book allied health providers (such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists), coordinating between the people supporting your child, sorting out service agreements, and preparing for plan reviews. A good coordinator also builds your confidence and skills so that, over time, you can manage more of the plan yourself.
There are generally three levels of support in this area under the NDIS: Support Connection (lighter-touch help to link you with services), Support Coordination (more hands-on help to build your capacity to manage supports), and Specialist Support Coordination (for more complex situations that need a higher level of expertise). The level your child is funded for is set out in their plan.
Support coordination is written into an NDIS plan by the NDIA, so not every child will have it. Families often find it especially useful when:
If you think your child would benefit from support coordination but it isn't in the plan, you can raise this with the NDIA at your next planning meeting or review.
Support coordination is available to NDIS participants of any age, including children and young people. For children under 9, families may instead work within the NDIS early childhood approach, where an early childhood partner helps coordinate supports. From around school age onwards, support coordination in a plan works much as it does for older participants, always with the parent or guardian as the key decision-maker.
Your first meeting is usually a chance to get to know each other. The coordinator will ask about your child, your family's goals, and what's already working or not working. They'll go through the plan with you so you understand the funding, and help you prioritise what to set up first — for example, booking an assessment or getting onto a waitlist for therapy.
Many coordinators offer this first meeting in your home, in their office, or by phone or video (telehealth), which can be handy for busy families or those outside central Launceston. You should leave with a clear sense of the next steps and who is doing what.
Support coordination is funded under the Capacity Building — Support Coordination budget in your child's plan. Because it's a separate, stated line, funds set aside for coordination generally can't be spent on other supports, and vice versa.
The NDIS sets price caps for support coordination, and these are updated in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits each year. As a general guide, support coordination in Australia is typically charged at an hourly rate in the range of roughly $100–$200+ per hour, depending on the level (standard versus specialist). Specialist support coordination sits at the higher end. These figures are indicative only — always confirm current rates and check them against the latest NDIS price limits and your child's plan.
Because the funded hours are limited, ask your coordinator to be transparent about how they'll use the time and to give you regular updates on how much of the budget remains.
This page features Optimum Health Solutions - Launceston. When comparing providers, consider:
This guide is general information only and is not medical or financial advice. Always confirm details, registration and current pricing directly with the provider.
Or read the full support coordination guide, or browse all Launceston providers.
Plan management handles the money — paying invoices and tracking your child's budget. Support coordination is about the people and services — helping you find, book and connect the right supports. Some families have both, funded under different lines in the plan.
Support coordination is included at the NDIA's discretion based on your child's needs and situation. If you'd like it added, raise this at your planning meeting or plan review and explain why coordinating supports is challenging for your family.
When it's a funded line in the plan, support coordination is paid from the NDIS Capacity Building budget, not out of your pocket. It's charged against NDIS price limits, so ask your provider how they'll use the funded hours.
Many providers offer phone or video appointments, which can be useful for families outside central Launceston or with busy schedules. Ask each provider directly whether telehealth is available and how it works.
Ask whether they're a registered NDIS provider and check any linked therapists' credentials with the relevant body (Speech Pathology Australia, AHPRA, or OT Australia). It's also worth asking about experience with children and current waitlists.