How to Get Your First 10 Participants as a New Support Coordinator
How to win your first participants as a support coordinator: real referral sources, the RFS process, conflict-of-interest rules and a 90-day plan.
Get the basics right before you chase a single referral
Where your first participants actually come from
The Request for Service process and unassigned referrals
Build provider relationships that send referrals — without breaching conflict of interest
An online presence that makes you findable and credible
A 90-day plan to your first 10 participants
What 10 participants actually earns you
Bill promptly — the claim window is shrinking
Common mistakes that cost new coordinators their first referrals
Position now for the 2028 commissioned model
Track everything and follow up
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get your first participants as a support coordinator?
With focused effort on the right channels — LACs, NDIA planners and provider relationships — most new coordinators land their first two to four participants within 30 to 60 days and can reach around ten within 90 days. It is slower if you rely on advertising or wait passively for referrals. Response speed to enquiries is the biggest single factor.
Do I need to be registered to take my first participants?
For standard support coordination (group 0106), mandatory registration was paused in December 2025, so you can currently operate unregistered — though some referrers and platforms still prefer registration. For specialist support coordination (group 0132), registration with the NDIS Commission remains mandatory, including the Core Module and Specialist Module 4 audits. Confirm the current position on ndiscommission.gov.au before you rely on it.
Can I pay for referrals or offer a provider something in return?
No. Paying for referrals, accepting payment for sending them, or making reciprocal 'you refer to me, I refer to you' deals breaches the NDIS Code of Conduct and conflict-of-interest rules. Referrals must be based on the participant's best interests and genuine choice. Build referral relationships on the quality and reliability of your work instead.
Is it still worth becoming a support coordinator with the 2028 commissioning changes coming?
It can be, but go in with clear eyes. Commissioned support coordination is planned to begin 1 July 2028, replacing the open market with a panel, and price limits have been frozen for seven years. Starting now lets you build the outcomes, compliance record and referrer trust that panels are likely to reward — but verify the reform timeline against health.gov.au before making long-term commitments.
How many participants do I need to make support coordination viable?
Ten participants is a starting point, not a full book. At an indicative Level 2 limit of about $100 per hour and roughly 20 funded hours each, ten participants bills around $20,000 across a year before your own costs and non-billable time. Most viable practices carry more participants, mix in higher-rate specialist work, or both — model your own numbers against the current PAPL.