Plan Nominee vs Child Representative
Compare NDIS plan nominees and child representatives: who they're for, their powers, when each applies, and what happens when a young person turns 18.
Two similar-sounding roles often get muddled: the plan nominee and the child representative. They do related things — help someone with their NDIS plan — but they apply to different people at different life stages. This guide lays them side by side so you can see who each is for, what they can do, and what happens as a young person moves towards adulthood.
The short version
The child representative (under 18)
The plan nominee (18 and over)
Powers and duties compared
What happens at 18
Frequently asked questions
My child turns 18 soon — do I automatically become their nominee?
No. A child representative role does not convert automatically into a plan nominee. At 18 your child is presumed able to decide with support. A plan nominee is only appointed if they genuinely cannot manage their NDIS dealings, so plan ahead and speak to your LAC.
Can a young person under 18 make any of their own NDIS decisions?
Yes, in age-appropriate ways. While a child representative manages the plan, good practice is to involve the child in decisions as they grow, so their preferences increasingly shape their supports. This also builds the skills they'll need as an adult.
Is a child representative a legal guardian?
No. A child representative acts within the NDIS based on parental responsibility. It does not grant broader legal authority. Guardianship and administration are separate arrangements made through a state or territory tribunal and cover much more than NDIS matters.
Who becomes the child representative if parents separate?
It usually rests with the person who has parental responsibility, which can be shared. Where arrangements are unclear or disputed, the agency and, if needed, the relevant family law or state processes help determine who acts for the child. Seek advice if this is contested.
Can an adult choose not to have a nominee?
Yes. Adults are presumed capable of making decisions with support. Many participants use informal help, a support coordinator or a plan manager instead of a nominee. A nominee is only for situations where someone truly cannot manage core NDIS dealings even with support.