NDIS Guide
If you are new to the NDIS, a local area coordinator (LAC) is often the first person you will deal with — and understanding their role can make a significant difference to the quality of your first plan. This guide explains exactly what a local area coordinator does, how they differ from a support coordinator and a plan manager, how to find yours, and what to bring to your planning meeting so you get the funding you actually need. For a broader overview of how the NDIS works, see our guide to understanding the NDIS.
What does a local area coordinator do?
A local area coordinator is a person or organisation funded by the NDIA to help Australians access and navigate the NDIS. They are not NDIA employees — they work for partner organisations contracted by the NDIA to deliver LAC services in your region.
LACs support participants at every stage of their NDIS journey, from checking eligibility through to ongoing plan reviews. Their core responsibilities fall into four areas:
01
Access support
Help you understand whether you are likely to meet the NDIS eligibility criteria and guide you through the access request process if you decide to apply.
02
Planning support
Work with you before and during your planning meeting to identify your goals, existing supports, and what funded supports might address the gaps in your life.
03
Plan implementation
Help you connect with providers after your plan is approved, especially if your plan does not include funded support coordination.
04
Community connection
Connect you with mainstream services, community activities, and informal supports — things that do not require NDIS funding at all.
LAC services are free to participants. The cost is covered by the NDIA as part of the broader scheme — it does not come out of your plan funding.
LAC vs support coordinator: what is the difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for new participants. A local area coordinator and a support coordinator are different roles with different funding sources and different levels of intensity.
- Funded directly by the NDIA — not from your plan
- Available to most NDIS participants automatically
- Light-touch support — helps you understand your plan and connect to services
- Less intensive, designed for participants who can manage with some guidance
- Funded from your NDIS plan (Capacity Building budget)
- Not everyone receives funded support coordination — it is based on assessed need
- Hands-on help with finding and coordinating multiple providers
- More intensive, designed for participants with complex needs
If your plan includes funded support coordination, your support coordinator takes over the implementation role that an LAC would otherwise provide. You can still contact your LAC for general NDIS questions, but your support coordinator will be your primary point of contact for day-to-day plan management.
To understand how the roles of support coordinator and plan manager differ, read our full comparison: Support Coordinator vs Plan Manager: What Is the Difference?
Is a local area coordinator the same as a plan manager?
No — a local area coordinator and a plan manager are entirely different roles. This distinction matters because many participants conflate the two when setting up their NDIS plan.
Helps you understand the NDIS, plan your goals, and connect with services. Does not manage your money or pay your providers.
A registered financial intermediary who processes provider invoices and manages your NDIS budget on your behalf. Funded separately by the NDIA at approximately $104.45 per month — does not reduce your other plan supports.
Your LAC will explain the three ways your NDIS plan can be managed — NDIA managed, plan managed, or self managed — during your planning meeting. Choosing plan management gives you access to both registered and unregistered providers, which significantly expands your options. See our independent comparison of the best NDIS plan managers in Australia to understand what to look for before your planning meeting.
How to find your local area coordinator
Local area coordinators are assigned based on where you live. The NDIA contracts different partner organisations to deliver LAC services in each region, so your LAC organisation will depend on your postcode.
Step 1
Contact the NDIS directly
Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm local time) and ask to be connected with your local area coordinator. This is the fastest route, especially if you are new to the NDIS or have not yet been assigned an LAC.
Step 2
Use the NDIS Provider Finder
Visit ndis.gov.au and search for “Local Area Coordination” in your postcode. The provider finder lists all LAC partner organisations operating in your area.
Step 3
Ask at your next health appointment
Your GP, allied health professional, or treating specialist may already know which LAC organisation operates in your area and may be able to make a direct referral or provide contact details.
What happens at your NDIS planning meeting?
Your planning meeting is where your first NDIS plan is developed. It is conducted by your LAC (or an NDIA planner for more complex cases) and typically takes between 45 minutes and two hours. The quality of your plan depends heavily on how prepared you are.
During the meeting, your LAC will ask about:
- Your NDIS goals — both short-term and long-term. These goals shape everything that follows, so think carefully about what you want to achieve in your daily life, community participation, employment, and independence.
- Your current supports — informal supports from family and friends, mainstream services you already use (health, education, community), and any existing funded services.
- Gaps in your support — where your disability creates barriers that existing supports cannot address. This is the area that NDIS funding is designed to fill.
- How you want your plan managed — NDIA managed, plan managed, or self managed. Raising plan management here ensures it is included in your plan from day one.
What to prepare before your meeting:
- A written list of your short-term and long-term goals
- A description of how your disability affects each area of your daily life
- A list of current supports — paid and unpaid
- Any reports from treating health professionals that support your goals
- A support person, carer, or disability advocate if you would like one present
What happens after your planning meeting?
After your planning meeting, the NDIA reviews the information gathered and creates your NDIS plan. This typically takes 1–4 weeks, though complex cases may take longer. You will receive your plan document showing your total annual funding broken down across support categories.
Once your plan is approved, you need to take action quickly to ensure your funding starts working for you:
1
Review your plan
Check that your plan reflects the goals and supports discussed in your meeting. If something is missing or incorrect, you can request an internal review of the decision — your LAC can help you with this.
2
Choose your plan manager (if plan managed)
If your plan includes plan management funding, choose a registered plan manager promptly. Your plan manager processes all provider invoices and tracks your budget in real time, giving you access to a much wider range of providers. See our comparison of the best NDIS plan managers to find one that suits your situation before your funding period begins.
3
Connect with providers
Your LAC can help you identify and connect with providers for each support in your plan. If you have funded support coordination, your support coordinator takes the lead on this. Understanding what NDIS plan management covers helps you ask the right questions when you are comparing providers.
4
Prepare for your plan review
NDIS plans are typically reviewed annually. Keep a record of how you have used your funding, what goals you have achieved, and what new goals or needs have emerged. Your LAC will contact you as your review date approaches. For tips on how to prepare, see our guide on what to prepare before your NDIS plan review.
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Find my plan manager — submit a free inquiryFrequently Asked Questions About Local Area Coordinators
What does a local area coordinator do for NDIS participants?
A local area coordinator helps you access the NDIS, prepare for your planning meeting, understand your plan once it is approved, and connect with community services and NDIS providers. They are funded by the NDIA and their support is free to participants — it does not come from your plan budget.
Is a local area coordinator the same as a support coordinator?
No. A local area coordinator is funded directly by the NDIA and provides light-touch planning and connection support for most participants. A support coordinator is funded from your NDIS plan’s Capacity Building budget and provides more intensive help with finding and managing multiple providers. Not every participant receives funded support coordination — it depends on your assessed needs.
Is a local area coordinator the same as a plan manager?
No. An LAC helps you plan your goals and understand your NDIS plan. A plan manager is a registered financial intermediary who processes provider invoices and manages your NDIS budget. Plan management is funded at approximately $104.45 per month from a separate NDIA budget line — it does not reduce your other supports.
Do I have to use a local area coordinator?
You are not required to work with an LAC, but most participants benefit from doing so — especially for their first plan. LAC services are free and can significantly improve the quality of your planning meeting. If you have complex needs, you may instead be supported by an NDIA planner rather than an LAC.
How do I find my local area coordinator?
Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to be connected with your local area coordinator, or use the provider finder on ndis.gov.au to search for LAC partner organisations in your postcode. LACs are assigned based on where you live.
Can I change my local area coordinator?
You can request a different LAC if your relationship with your current one is not working well. Contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and explain your situation. Availability depends on which partner organisations operate in your area.
What should I bring to my NDIS planning meeting?
Bring a written list of your goals (short and long-term), a description of how your disability affects your daily life, a summary of your current supports, and any relevant health professional reports. You are also entitled to bring a support person, carer, or independent disability advocate — doing so often results in a stronger plan.