Level 3 Support Coordination: What It Involves and Who It’s For
Most NDIS participants can manage their plan with some help from a support coordinator, family or their local area coordinator. But sometimes life gets more complicated. Support needs change, several services are involved, or things reach a point of crisis. That’s where Level 3 support coordination, also called specialist support coordination, comes in.
This guide explains what Level 3 support coordination involves, who it’s for, and how to ask about it.
The three levels of support coordination
The NDIS can fund three levels of support coordination:
- Level 1: Support connection helps you connect with informal, community and funded supports and build your ability to use your plan.
- Level 2: Coordination of supports helps you understand your plan, choose and connect with providers, and build the skills to coordinate your own supports over time.
- Level 3: Specialist support coordination is a higher level of support for people whose situation is more complex.
The NDIA explains the role of support coordinators on its What is a support coordinator page.
What is Level 3 support coordination?
The NDIA describes specialist support coordination as a higher level of support focused on reducing complexity in a participant’s support environment and helping them overcome immediate or significant barriers. A specialist support coordinator also works to keep your services consistent during challenging times. You can read the NDIA’s guidance on specialist support coordination.
Specialist support coordinators are expected to be appropriately qualified and experienced. The NDIA gives examples such as psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.
What a specialist support coordinator does
- helps stabilise difficult or changing situations and gets the right supports in place
- works across services such as health, mental health, housing, justice and education, so everyone is working together
- negotiates solutions when several providers are involved
- builds your skills and confidence to manage your supports, at a pace that suits you
- tracks progress and helps prepare reports and evidence for your plan reassessment
Who is it for?
Level 3 support coordination is for participants with high or complex needs. Every situation is different, but it may help when:
- your support needs are high or changing quickly
- several services are involved in your life and need to work together
- your housing or living situation is at risk or needs to change
- you’re involved with health, mental health, education or justice services at the same time
- you’re going through a crisis and need your supports stabilised
Specialist support coordination is generally time-limited and outcome-focused. The aim is to reduce the complexity so that, in later plans, you may move to Level 2 support coordination or manage more yourself. Depending on your circumstances, a plan may include both specialist support coordination and coordination of supports.
Specialist support coordination and home and living
A change in living situation is one of the times specialist support coordination can make a real difference. If you’re exploring Supported Independent Living, our guides on SIL vs SDA and finding a SIL vacancy in Victoria may help.
How to get Level 3 support coordination in your plan
Specialist support coordination needs to be included in your NDIS plan, and the NDIA decides the level based on your needs. To give yourself the best chance:
- talk about the complexity in your situation at your planning meeting or plan reassessment
- share reports from treating professionals or current providers that explain why extra coordination is needed
- explain which services are involved and where things aren’t working together
If you already have specialist support coordination in your plan, you can choose which provider delivers it. Our post on choosing a support coordinator has questions worth asking.
How it’s funded
Specialist support coordination is paid from the support coordination funding in your plan. It’s worth asking your coordinator how they’ll use your hours and how they’ll keep you updated.
How we work at Felicity Holistic Care
Our experienced team provides specialist support coordination across Werribee, Wyndham, Melbourne and Geelong, with face-to-face appointments and regular check-ins. Getting started usually looks like this:
- Check your plan: make sure specialist support coordination is included.
- Get in touch: call us or fill in our referral form.
- Meet your coordinator: we meet with you to understand your situation, your goals and who’s already involved.
- Put a plan in place: we connect and coordinate your supports, and keep checking in as things change.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 support coordination?
Level 2 (coordination of supports) helps you understand your plan, connect with providers and build your confidence to use your supports. Level 3 (specialist support coordination) is for more complex situations and is delivered by a coordinator with the qualifications and experience to manage barriers and work across several services.
How do I get Level 3 support coordination in my plan?
The NDIA decides whether to include it, based on your circumstances. Talk about your needs at your planning meeting or plan reassessment and share any reports that show why extra coordination is needed. We can help you prepare.
Is Level 3 support coordination ongoing?
It’s generally time-limited and focused on outcomes. The aim is to reduce complexity so that, over time, you may only need Level 2 support coordination, or none at all.
Does it cost me anything?
When specialist support coordination is included in your plan, it’s paid from the support coordination funding in your plan.
Which areas does Felicity Holistic Care cover?
We provide specialist support coordination across Werribee and Wyndham, Melbourne and the Geelong region, with face-to-face appointments and phone support.
Talk to our specialist support coordination team
If you have specialist support coordination in your plan, or you think you might need it, we’re here to help. Contact us, call 1300 589 176, or make a referral. You can also read about our support coordination services.
This guide is general information only and is current as at September 2026. It isn’t financial or legal advice. NDIS guidelines are updated from time to time, so please check the details for your own situation with the NDIA on 1800 800 110, your planner or local area coordinator, or your support coordinator.
