Appoint a Nominee

Formally authorise someone to make NDIS decisions or manage your plan with you.

Who fills it in

A participant who needs someone to act or make decisions for them, and the proposed nominee.

When you’d use it

When making decisions independently is difficult, and a trusted person needs authority to help.

How to submit it

A nominee is a bigger step than consent. The NDIA must be satisfied it is in your best interests, and your wishes are considered first.

What appointing a nominee means

Appointing a nominee formally authorises another person to act for you in your NDIS matters. There are two types: a plan nominee, who can make decisions about your plan and supports, and a correspondence nominee, who can receive information and communicate with the NDIA.

This is a bigger step than giving consent. A nominee holds real responsibility, so the arrangement is treated carefully by the NDIA to make sure it's right for you.

What it does

A plan nominee can be involved in preparing, reviewing and managing your NDIS plan, and making decisions about how your supports are used. A correspondence nominee has a narrower role, focused on receiving information and dealing with the NDIA on your behalf. You can have one or both, depending on what you need.

Importantly, a nominee is expected to support your decision-making, not take over. Your will and preferences come first, and a nominee should only step in where it genuinely helps you.

Who needs to use it

Appointing a nominee suits participants who need someone to make decisions or handle communication for them, often because making certain decisions independently is difficult. It's commonly a trusted family member, carer or guardian.

Before appointing a nominee, it's worth considering whether consent or informal support would meet your needs instead. The NDIA generally prefers less formal arrangements where they're enough, because a nominee is a significant responsibility.

When and how to use it

Consider a nominee when ongoing decision-making or communication support is genuinely needed and lighter options aren't sufficient. The NDIA must be satisfied that appointing a nominee is in your best interests before the arrangement is put in place.

You can usually request a nominee yourself, or the NDIA may appoint one in certain situations, always keeping your will and preferences at the centre. Nominee arrangements can be reviewed, changed or cancelled over time as your circumstances change.

About the Appoint a Nominee

What is an NDIS nominee?
An NDIS nominee is a person formally authorised to act for a participant. A plan nominee can make decisions about the plan and supports, while a correspondence nominee can receive information and communicate with the NDIA. It's a bigger responsibility than consent, and the participant's will and preferences must always come first.
What is the difference between a plan and correspondence nominee?
A plan nominee can make decisions about your NDIS plan and how your supports are used. A correspondence nominee has a narrower role, focused on receiving information and dealing with the NDIA on your behalf. You can appoint one or both, depending on how much support you need with decisions and communication.
How do I appoint a nominee for the NDIS?
You can usually ask the NDIA to appoint a nominee, and in some situations the NDIA may appoint one. Before an appointment is made, the NDIA must be satisfied it's in your best interests. Because it's a significant step, it's worth checking whether consent or informal support would meet your needs first.
Is a nominee the same as a guardian?
No. A nominee is an NDIS-specific role that authorises someone to make decisions or receive information about your NDIS matters. A guardian is appointed under separate state or territory laws and can cover broader areas of life. Someone may be both, but the roles come from different systems and serve different purposes.
Can a nominee be changed or removed?
Yes. Nominee arrangements can be reviewed, changed or cancelled as circumstances change. The NDIA keeps the participant's will and preferences at the centre, so if an arrangement is no longer in the participant's best interests, it can be adjusted or ended. You can raise this with the NDIA at any time.

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Novida is an independent directory, not the NDIA. We explain each form in plain English and link you to the official copy — always download and submit the current version from the official website, as forms are updated from time to time.