The Commissioned Model for Support Coordination Explained
How the support coordination commissioned panel replaces the open market from 1 July 2028, what changes for your practice, and how to prepare now.
What a commissioned panel actually is
Why the government is doing this
The dates that matter
Commissioned panel vs the open market
How this plays out for a solo coordinator
What it means for specialist support coordination
Conflict of interest: the fault line
Registration, enrolment and the panel are three different things
How to position your practice now
Common mistakes and edge cases
Frequently asked questions
When does the support coordination commissioned panel start?
The commissioned panel for support coordination is scheduled to begin on 1 July 2028, with design consultation flagged for the second half of 2026. These dates come from the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations reform program and depend on the Bill's passage and a Senate inquiry reporting on 14 August 2026, so confirm them against health.gov.au/securingtheNDIS before treating them as fixed.
Will standard support coordinators have to be registered to join the panel?
Mandatory registration for standard support coordination (group 0106) was paused in December 2025 with no date, and requirements will be aligned to the 2028 model. Registration is still mandatory for specialist support coordination (group 0132). Expect the panel to require whatever registration or enrolment step applies to your stream as an entry condition, so keep your compliance current.
What is the difference between the commissioned panel and being registered?
Registration is a quality-and-safeguards status with the NDIS Commission; the commissioned panel is a contract to actually deliver support coordination in a defined area from 1 July 2028. Enrolment (from 1 July 2027) is a third, lighter step. You can be registered and enrolled and still not hold a panel place, which is the one that determines whether you receive work.
How does the panel affect solo support coordinators?
A commissioned panel means referrals only flow to selected providers, so a solo practice that relies on local referral relationships could lose its pipeline if it is not chosen. Commissioners may favour scale, systems and outcome reporting. Realistic responses include documenting outcomes now, separating any conflicts of interest, holding specialist registration, and exploring consortium or subcontracting arrangements.
Can I still bill up to the PAPL price limit under the commissioned model?
Under the current open market you bill up to the PAPL price limit (Level 2 is ~$100.14/hr, indicative as at the 2026-27 PAPL). Under a commissioned panel, pricing is likely to be contracted by the commissioning body rather than left to fee-for-service, though the mechanism is not yet confirmed. Model your viability under contracted pricing, not just today's limit, and verify against the current PAPL.