Becoming an NDIS Nominee
What an NDIS nominee is, plan nominee vs correspondence nominee, how the NDIA appoints one, the duties involved, and why supported decision-making comes first.
If the person you care for cannot manage all of their own NDIS dealings, you may be asked to become their nominee. It sounds formal, and it is an important role — but it is not about taking over their life. This guide explains the two kinds of nominee, how the agency appoints one, the duties involved, and why helping the person decide for themselves always comes first.
What a nominee actually is
The two types of nominee
How the NDIA appoints one
Your duties as a nominee
When it's needed and how it ends
Frequently asked questions
Can a paid support worker be my relative's nominee?
Generally no. A nominee should be free of conflicts of interest, and someone paid to deliver the participant's supports usually has one. The role is meant for family, friends or others who act in the participant's interest rather than their own commercial interest.
Is a nominee the same as a guardian?
No. A nominee only acts in NDIS matters. A guardian is appointed by a state or territory tribunal and can have far broader authority over things like health, accommodation and lifestyle decisions. The two can exist together but are separate. See our guide Guardianship and the NDIS.
Can there be more than one nominee?
A participant can have both a plan nominee and a correspondence nominee, and in some cases more than one person can share a role. The agency records who is responsible for what. The aim is clarity, so everyone knows which decisions sit with whom.
Does the participant still have a say once I'm a nominee?
Absolutely. A nominee must consult the participant, reflect their wishes, and support them to make their own decisions wherever possible. If the participant can make a particular decision themselves, they should. The role supplements their voice; it does not replace it.
How do I stop being a nominee?
You can ask the agency to cancel the arrangement, and it can also end it on its own or at the participant's request. If your circumstances change or the participant no longer needs the role, contact the NDIA to review and update the arrangement.