How to Get Referrals as a Support Coordinator
A practical, compliance-safe guide to support coordinator referrals in Australia — where they come from, how to earn them, and what changes by 2028.
The five channels that actually produce referrals
LACs and NDIA planners: the highest-value relationship
The Request for Service (RFS) process
Provider relationships — useful, and the biggest compliance trap
Participants and families: your slowest, strongest source
Being findable: website, Google and LinkedIn
Building a referral network from scratch
Bill promptly or the referral was worthless
What frozen rates mean for how hard you chase referrals
The 2028 shift that changes referrals entirely
Registration status and referral eligibility
Frequently asked questions
Where do most support coordinator referrals come from?
The largest steady source is Local Area Coordinators and NDIA planners, who name coordinators at plan approval, followed by the Request for Service system and referrals from other providers. Participant word of mouth is the highest-quality source but the slowest to build. Most established coordinators rely on a mix of two or three of these rather than any single channel.
Can I pay for referrals or offer providers a commission?
No. Paying for referrals, offering kickbacks, or entering reciprocal referral deals breaches the NDIS Code of Conduct and conflict-of-interest rules, and the NDIA is actively scrutinising these arrangements. You may accept and give referrals that flow from genuine merit and participant choice, but any benefit exchanged for referrals is prohibited. When in doubt, ask whether the arrangement would survive being disclosed to the participant.
How do I get referrals as a brand-new support coordinator?
Concentrate on one region and one or two participant cohorts rather than marketing everywhere. Get your compliance and insurance in order, introduce yourself to the Partners in the Community LAC organisation for your area with a one-page capacity statement, make sure you receive RFS traffic, and build a basic website and LinkedIn profile so your name survives a search. Then deliver excellently for your first participants so word of mouth takes over.
Will the 2028 commissioning changes stop referrals from mattering?
No, but they change the meaning. From 1 July 2028 support coordination is scheduled to move to a commissioned panel, so future success shifts toward securing and holding a panel place rather than open-market referrals. The track record, clean compliance and reliable delivery that win referrals today are exactly what a commissioning body will assess, so the work compounds. Verify the timeline against health.gov.au and the Federal Register of Legislation, as it depends on the bill's passage.
Do I have to be registered to accept support coordination referrals?
For Level 3 Specialist Support Coordination (group 0132), yes — registration is mandatory and you cannot accept specialist referrals without it. For standard support coordination (group 0106), mandatory registration was paused in December 2025, so you are not currently required to register, though some referrers still prefer registered coordinators. Confirm your specific obligations with the NDIS Commission before deciding.