Early Childhood Supports referrals for NDIS coordinators
Early intervention for young children with developmental delay or disability, delivered through the early childhood approach and a family-centred key worker model.
NDIS registration group: Early intervention supports for early childhood
What Early Childhood is under the NDIS
Early Childhood Supports refers to the NDIS early childhood approach - the way the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) delivers early intervention to young children. It is for children younger than 6 with developmental delay, and children younger than 9 with disability. The approach is grounded in international evidence and the national guidelines for best practice in early childhood intervention.
The approach is delivered by Early Childhood partners - organisations commissioned by the NDIA in local areas. A family can connect with an Early Childhood partner before having an NDIS plan; the partner provides information, advice, links to mainstream services and some short-term early supports, and helps the family decide whether to seek access to the NDIS.
Where a child has NDIS funding, early childhood supports are typically capacity-building, family-centred and embedded in everyday routines. A key worker model is commonly used, so one professional coordinates supports and works alongside the family - drawing on a transdisciplinary team - rather than the family attending many separate clinical appointments.
What it covers
- Early Childhood partner connection, information and planning support
- Early connections and short-term early supports (no NDIS plan required)
- Family-centred early intervention built around everyday routines
- Key worker model coordination across the support team
- Transdisciplinary therapy (occupational therapy, speech, physiotherapy, psychology)
- Capacity building and coaching for parents and carers
- Supports embedded in natural environments - home, childcare, preschool, community
- Assistive technology and equipment advice for young children
- Help to access mainstream and community services, including childcare and preschool
- Transition planning toward school and out of the early childhood approach
Who it suits
Refer when a young child shows signs of developmental delay or has a disability and the family needs coordinated, evidence-based early intervention.
It suits families who benefit from a single key worker and family-centred support rather than fragmented appointments, and children not yet in the scheme who may benefit from early connections through an Early Childhood partner.
How to refer Early Childhood on Novida
Start in Novida by searching for verified early childhood intervention providers - and Early Childhood partners - in the family's area. Filter by discipline, the family-centred or key worker approach, and telehealth if travel is a barrier for a young child.
Before making contact, check the provider's registration status and current capacity. Confirm they are taking new early childhood referrals, that their approach fits a key worker model, and that they can work with the plan-management type on the child's plan.
Then contact the provider directly with a complete referral: family consent, the child's NDIS number, plan-management type, the relevant early intervention line items or budget, frequency sought, and any specific requirements. Novida is free to use and never sits in the middle of the referral - you deal with the provider directly.
What to check before you refer
- Confirm the child's age and situation fit the early childhood approach (younger than 6 with developmental delay, younger than 9 with disability) and whether they need an Early Childhood partner connection or already have a plan.
- Verify the provider uses a family-centred, key worker model and has genuine capacity in the family's location or via telehealth.
- If the plan is agency-managed, confirm the provider is NDIS-registered; if behaviour support is involved, confirm a registered behaviour support practitioner is engaged.
Early Childhood — NDIS price limits (2026–27)
- Early Childhood Intervention - Other Professional — $193.99 per hour (15_005_0118_1_3)
How it’s priced
Early childhood supports are funded and priced under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (the NDIS Price Guide), with early intervention and therapy usually drawn from a child's Capacity Building budget; Early Childhood partner functions are commissioned separately by the NDIA. Check ndis.gov.au for current arrangements.
Coordinator FAQs — Early Childhood
- What ages does the NDIS early childhood approach cover?
- The early childhood approach is for children younger than 6 with developmental delay, and children younger than 9 with disability. A child does not need a confirmed diagnosis to connect with an Early Childhood partner. Once a child turns 9, or their needs change, the NDIA reviews whether ongoing NDIS support is appropriate and, if so,…
- Does a child need an NDIS plan before getting early childhood supports?
- No. Families can connect with an Early Childhood partner without an NDIS plan. The partner can offer information, advice, links to mainstream services, and some short-term early supports - often called early connections - before any access decision. If the child is likely to need longer-term disability support, the partner also helps the…
- What is the key worker model?
- The key worker model gives a family one lead professional who coordinates and delivers most supports, drawing on a transdisciplinary team behind the scenes. Rather than attending separate speech, occupational therapy and physiotherapy appointments, the family works mainly with the key worker, who builds their capacity within everyday…
- Does a provider need to be registered to deliver early childhood supports?
- It depends on plan management. If the child's early intervention supports are NDIA-managed, they must be delivered by an NDIS-registered provider. Self-managed and plan-managed families can also use unregistered providers. Early Childhood partners themselves are commissioned by the NDIA. Where behaviour support is part of the plan, it…
- How is early childhood intervention different from ordinary therapy?
- Best-practice early childhood intervention is family-centred and capacity-building, not clinic-only. Supports are embedded in natural environments - home, childcare, preschool and community - and focus on coaching parents and carers to support the child through everyday routines. A transdisciplinary team shares information so the family…
- Can a child see an Early Childhood partner and a private provider at the same time?
- Yes. The Early Childhood partner is the gateway to the approach and can coordinate planning, but families can still choose private early intervention or therapy providers to deliver supports funded in the plan. As coordinator, use Novida to find verified providers with capacity, then confirm how their work aligns with the key worker or…
- Which budget funds early childhood supports?
- Early intervention and therapy supports for young children are usually funded from the Capacity Building budget in the child's NDIS plan, with any equipment drawn from the relevant support categories. Exact allocations depend on the plan. Always check the participant's plan and the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, and confirm…
- What happens when a child approaches age 9 or starts school?
- As a child nears 9 or transitions to school, the Early Childhood partner and any providers help plan the move - including school readiness and mainstream inclusion. The NDIA reviews whether the child continues to meet access requirements. Some children exit the scheme with mainstream and community supports; others move into standard NDIS…
Related NDIS registration groups
- Therapeutic Supports referrals
- Exercise Physiology & Personal Wellbeing referrals
- Specialist Behaviour Support referrals
- Community Nursing Care referrals
- Improved Relationships & Social Skills referrals
How to check a provider’s credentials
- NDIS Commission provider register — NDIS registration
- How worker screening works — Worker screening
- Make a complaint to the NDIS Commission — Complaints & conduct