Support coordination helps families turn an NDIS plan into real, working supports for their child. If you're feeling overwhelmed by paperwork, providers and waitlists in the Wollongong and Illawarra area, this guide explains what support coordination involves, what it costs, and how to choose the right person for your family.
Registered NDIS provider in Wollongong/Warilla offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Services provided in-clinic, at home, in community, and via telehealth; open to NDIS and private clients.
Wollongong NSW provider offering paediatric occupational therapy and NDIS support coordination, plus adult mental health OT services. Team of accredited therapists with 7+ years experience, over 400 clients served. Located at 51 Kenny Street, Wollongong; open Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm.
Happy Breeze Therapy Services offers occupational therapy (including paediatric OT, functional capacity assessments, sensory profiles) and support coordination, serving clients aged 1–65. Registered NDIS provider. No practitioner names, telehealth details, or waitlist information provided.
NDIS registered provider offering Support Coordination Levels 2 & 3, recovery coaching, and social work across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Nowra and South Coast NSW. Serves clients aged 7 to 90; staff visit clients in person. No specific paediatric therapy services or telehealth mentioned.
Support coordination is funded under the NDIS to help you understand and put your child's plan into action. A support coordinator doesn't provide therapy themselves. Instead, they connect the dots — finding suitable speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and other supports, arranging service agreements, and making sure your child's funding is being used effectively.
For families, a good coordinator can save hours of phone calls and reduce a lot of stress. They can explain the different parts of your plan, help you compare providers, resolve issues when services aren't working, and prepare you for your next plan review. There are generally three levels: Support Connection (lower intensity), Support Coordination (the most common level for families juggling several supports), and Specialist Support Coordination (for more complex situations, such as when there are significant health, behavioural or crisis needs).
Every family's situation is different, but support coordination can be especially helpful when:
Support coordination isn't age-specific. It's available for any NDIS participant whose plan includes funding for it, from young children through to teenagers and beyond. For families of early-intervention-aged children (typically under 9), a coordinator can be particularly valuable in helping you set up the right mix of therapies early. For older children and teens, coordinators often help with school transitions, community access and building independence.
Your first meeting is usually a relaxed conversation, either at your home, at the provider's office, or via telehealth. The coordinator will:
Bring a copy of your child's NDIS plan, any recent therapy or assessment reports, and a list of current or preferred providers. It helps to jot down your top three concerns before the meeting.
Support coordination is funded under the Capacity Building — Support Coordination budget in your child's NDIS plan. This is separate from your Core and Capacity Building therapy budgets, so using a coordinator generally won't eat into your child's therapy hours.
The NDIS sets price caps for support coordination, and these are reviewed each year in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. As a general guide, hourly rates in Australia typically fall in the $100–$200+ range depending on the level of coordination (standard versus specialist). Because coordinators bill against your funded hours, it's worth asking upfront how many hours you have and roughly how quickly they'll be used. Always treat these figures as a general guide only — check the current NDIS price caps and confirm exact rates with each provider.
This page features several Wollongong and Illawarra providers, including Better Rehab – Wollongong (Warilla), Happy Breeze Therapy and Disability Services (Wollongong), Happy Breeze Therapy Services (Shellharbour City Centre) and Thrive Specialist Support Coordination (Dunmore). When comparing options, consider:
Choosing the right coordinator is about fit as much as credentials. A short introductory call can tell you a lot about whether someone understands your family and will genuinely make your NDIS journey easier.
Or read the full support coordination guide, or browse all Wollongong providers.
Plan management handles the financial side — paying provider invoices and tracking your budget. Support coordination is about connecting you with services, helping you understand your plan and resolving issues. Many families use both, and each is funded separately in the NDIS plan.
Yes. Support coordination must be specifically funded under the Capacity Building — Support Coordination budget in your child's NDIS plan. If it isn't included, you can raise it at your next plan review, or request a plan change if your circumstances warrant it.
Support coordination is billed against your funded hours at NDIS-capped rates, generally in the $100–$200+ per hour range depending on the level. The NDIS sets price caps that are reviewed each year, so always confirm current rates and how quickly your hours will be used with the provider.
Yes, many coordinators offer phone and video appointments alongside in-person meetings. This can be convenient for families outside central Wollongong or those balancing work and school schedules. Ask each provider whether they offer telehealth.
Ask whether the provider is NDIS-registered, particularly if your plan is NDIA-managed. For any therapists they recommend, you can confirm registration through Speech Pathology Australia, AHPRA or Occupational Therapy Australia. It's also fair to ask about their experience working with children.