If you’re a participant, family member, or carer, the referral process can feel confusing at first. And if you’re a Support Coordinator or Plan Manager, timing and clarity matter more than ever.
Knowing who can make an NDIS participant referral and when can save time, reduce stress, and help supports start sooner for the participant.
At Nascare, we see referrals every day, from many different people and situations.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through who can make a referral, when it usually happens, and how the right referral at the right time can make a real difference in someone’s life.
What Is an NDIS Participant Referral?
An NDIS participant referral is how someone’s approved NDIS funding turns into actual support. It’s the process of sharing a participant’s needs, goals, and funding details with a service provider so support can begin.
A referral connects the plan to real life. Without it, funding stays on paper. Under the NDIS, participants have choice and control, which means they can choose who supports them and how.
A clear referral helps that choice lead to timely, meaningful support, without confusion or delay.
Who Can Make an NDIS Participant Referral?
To turn an NDIS plan into everyday support, an NDIS referral is one of the ways to begin. It help participant to connect with a trusted NDIS provider recommended by a known or trusted person.
Different people can make referrals, depending on the situation. Here’s a breakdown.
NDIS Participants (Self-Referral)
- When participants can refer themselves: Anytime they have an approved NDIS plan and want to connect with a provider.
- Benefits of self-referral: Gives you full choice and control over who supports you. You decide what, when, and how.
- When self-referral works best: For participants with clear goals and confidence to reach out to providers directly.
Support Coordinators
- Their role in identifying suitable providers: Coordinators help match participants with providers who fit their needs and goals.
- When coordinators usually submit referrals: Participants need guidance or have complex support requirements.
- Importance of detailed referral information: A thorough referral speeds up service start and ensures proper funding alignment.
Local Area Coordinators (LACs)
- How LACs support access and connection: LACs guide participants through the NDIS and connect them to the right providers.
- When LACs are involved in referrals: Typically, during plan implementation or for participants without a Support Coordinator.
- Difference between LAC and Support Coordinator referrals: LACs focus on access and plan navigation, while Support Coordinators manage ongoing supports and service delivery.
Plan Managers
- How plan managers assist with referrals: They review funding and ensure participants choose providers who meet budget and plan goals.
- Financial clarity and provider matching: Plan managers make sure supports are funded correctly and align with the participant’s plan.
- When plan managers typically step in: When participants want help with budgeting, managing invoices, or verifying provider details.
Family Members or Carers
- When families or carers can make referrals: With participant consent, especially for those needing extra support.
- Consent and participant involvement: The participant’s voice remains central; family or carer involvement supports decision-making.
- Supporting participants with complex needs: Families often help coordinate referrals for participants with communication or health challenges.
Health and Allied Health Professionals
- Common referral scenarios: Hospitals, GPs, therapists, or allied health professionals often recommend providers for specific care needs.
- Discharge planning and early intervention referrals: Referrals may happen when transitioning from hospital to home or starting therapy.
- Importance of clinical evidence: Accurate, professional documentation helps providers deliver safe and suitable support.
No matter who makes the referral, the goal is always the same: to connect the participant with the right support, at the right time.
When Can an NDIS Participant Referral Be Made?
If things are done at the right time, it can save time and give the necessary support at the right time. Referrals are usually made in these situations:
- After NDIS plan approval: Once a plan is approved, participants can begin connecting with providers.
- When starting new supports: Anytime a participant wants to begin a service for the first time.
- When changing providers: If a current provider isn’t meeting needs, a new referral ensures continued support.
- When goals or support needs change: As participant goals evolve, referrals help align services with updated plans.
- During hospital discharge or major life transitions: Referrals can ensure smooth transitions back home or into new living arrangements.
It reduces the stress, and get supports started without delay.
How to Submit an NDIS Participant Referral to Nascare
Submitting a referral to Nascare is simple. Follow these steps to get started:
- Prepare the details: Include the participant’s NDIS goals, required supports, funding information, and any specific needs.
- Choose who will submit the referral: This could be the participant, a family member, Support Coordinator, Plan Manager, or allied health professional.
- Contact Nascare: Reach out via phone, email, or our online referral form. Our team will review the information and get back to you promptly.
- Confirm and schedule support: Once the referral is accepted, we’ll work with the participant to set up the right supports at the right time.
At Nascare, we make the NDIS participant referral process straightforward and stress-free. Every referral we received in our 10+ years of NDIS Provider journey, we handled it all with care. Ensuring participants feel supported, understood, and ready to start their services.
Reach out today and take the first step toward meaningful, goal-driven support.
