Who does what
What a Local Area Coordinator Does
Helps people understand and navigate the NDIS, and connect with local services.
An NDIS partner
LACs work for community organisations funded by the NDIA, not usually for the NDIA itself.
Help navigating
May help with access, information, planning and using your plan.
They do not approve plans
NDIA planners decide funded supports and plan budgets.
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 is a Local Area Coordinator?
Commonly called an LAC. They work through NDIS partners — community organisations funded by the NDIA to deliver parts of the NDIS. LACs generally work with people aged 9 to 64; Early Childhood Partners work with families of younger children.
They are not usually NDIA employees, though an LAC may still be your main contact for certain NDIS matters. Your plan should identify your my NDIS contact.
What they can help with
- Understanding how the NDIS works
- Exploring community and government services
- Deciding whether the NDIS may suit you
- Applying to become a participant
- Gathering information and evidence
- Preparing for NDIS meetings
- Understanding and beginning to use your plan
- Finding or changing providers
- Using the participant portal or my NDIS app
- Asking for a plan change or preparing for a reassessment
What they do not do
They do not approve plans, decide which supports are funded, decide funding amounts, guarantee eligibility or approval, deliver every funded support, or replace a Support Coordinator or Plan Manager. An NDIA planner makes those decisions.
LAC or Support Coordinator?
An LAC helps deliver parts of the NDIS and may be your my NDIS contact. A Support Coordinator is a provider paid from your plan when that funding is included, and generally gives more direct hands-on help organising supports.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
With your permission, SCL may communicate with your LAC or my NDIS contact to:
- Provide information about SCL services
- Supply quotes or Service Agreements
- Provide relevant service records
- Explain your current SCL support arrangements
- Share information about changes or concerns affecting our services
SCL cannot ask a Local Area Coordinator to approve funding. Funding and plan decisions remain with the NDIA.
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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