Who does what
The Role of Family and Informal Supports
Family, friends and carers provide unpaid support alongside NDIS funded services.
People who know you
Informal supports often understand your communication, routines, history and preferences.
Support is individual
Every participant has a different family and community network.
Your voice remains central
Family members do not automatically have authority to make decisions or access your information.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
What are informal supports?
The unpaid help you receive from family, friends, unpaid carers, neighbours, community members, cultural or faith networks, and other trusted people. They work alongside funded supports rather than instead of them.
You decide who is involved
- Who attends meetings
- Who receives information
- Who providers may contact
- What information can be shared
- Whether someone may help you make decisions
- Whether someone may communicate on your behalf
- When you want to speak privately
You can change or withdraw your permission at any time.
Being family does not grant authority
It does not automatically allow someone to access your plan, receive your private information, sign documents, make decisions for you, change providers, control your funding, or direct workers against your wishes. That requires your consent, a nominee appointment, or another lawful authority.
How the NDIA considers informal supports
When creating or changing a plan, the NDIA may consider what you can do yourself, what help is available from family and friends, whether it is reasonable to expect that to continue, the age and circumstances of those involved, the effect of caring responsibilities, and whether the arrangement is sustainable.
The NDIS is meant to complement reasonable informal support. It should not assume family can provide unlimited or unsustainable care.
Tell the NDIA when informal supports change
A carer becoming unwell, a support person moving away, a relationship ending, a carer returning to work, a change in living arrangements, or a family member no longer being able to provide support safely. The NDIA may need evidence of what changed and how it affects your support needs.
Family and providers working together
Family may share useful information about communication, health, routines, cultural preferences, behaviour support, medication, risks and what has worked before. Providers should still speak directly with you and involve you in decisions. The views of family members do not automatically replace your own.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
SCL can:
- Record who you want involved
- Communicate with authorised people
- Include family or trusted people in planning meetings
- Explain our services and help clarify everyone’s role
- Protect your privacy and arrange private conversations with you
- Update permissions when your wishes change
- Raise concerns if an arrangement appears unsafe
SCL will continue treating you as the central person in your support arrangements, whoever else is involved.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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