NDIS Who Does What: The NDIA, LAC, Commission and Planner Explained
NDIS who does what, in plain English: what the NDIA, your LAC, planners, support coordinators and the NDIS Commission each do — and who to call.
NDIS who does what: the quick version
The NDIA: the agency that runs the Scheme
Your LAC (Local Area Coordinator): your main help using the plan
Early Childhood partners: help for young children
Planners and delegates: who actually builds your plan
Support coordinator vs LAC: the most common mix-up
Plan managers, providers and support workers
The NDIS Commission: safety, quality and complaints
Advocates, the ART and appeals: help when you disagree
Who to call for what
How the reforms change who does what
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the NDIA and the NDIS?
The NDIS is the Scheme itself — the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIA is the agency that runs it and makes the funding decisions. So 'the NDIS' is the system, and 'the NDIA' is the organisation in charge of it. When a decision is made about your money or eligibility, it is really the NDIA making it.
Do I have to pay for an LAC or a support coordinator?
An LAC (Local Area Coordinator) is free — it is part of the Scheme, and you do not pay for it from your plan. A support coordinator is a funded support, which means it has to be written into your plan as a budget before you can use one. If you think you need a support coordinator, raise it at your planning meeting and explain why your situation is complex; the NDIA decides whether to include it.
Who do I contact if a support worker treats me badly?
Contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 — they handle safety and quality complaints about providers and workers. This is a different body from the NDIA, which only handles your funding. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 first. You do not need to prove anything before reporting; the Commission looks into it.
What can I do if I disagree with a decision about my plan?
First, ask the NDIA for an internal review of the decision. If you are still unhappy, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), an independent body that reviews government decisions. An advocate — often free and independent — can help you understand the decision and prepare, and extra appeals support has been funded for 2026-27. You do not have to do it alone.
Will the reforms change who I deal with?
The basic roles stay the same: the NDIA funds your plan, your LAC or support coordinator helps you use it, and the NDIS Commission handles safety. From April 2027 a new trained assessor role is being added to planning, and plan management is set to move to a commissioned panel from October 2027. Dates have already shifted once and some measures depend on legislation, so confirm current timing with the NDIA on 1800 800 110.