Can I Use an Unregistered NDIS Support Coordinator?

By Anosh Mian Khel · Reviewed 20 August 2026 · General information

Yes, an NDIS Support Coordinator can be registered or unregistered. The key practical question is how the relevant funding is managed: unregistered providers can work with plan-managed and self-managed funding, while NDIA-managed supports require a registered provider.

The short answer

Current NDIA guidance says Support Coordinators can be registered or unregistered providers. If a Support Coordinator is unregistered, they can only work with participants whose relevant NDIS funding is plan-managed or self-managed. A participant using NDIA-managed funding must use a registered provider for that support.

What “unregistered” does — and does not — mean

Unregistered means the provider is not registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to claim NDIA-managed supports. It does not, by itself, mean the provider is outside the NDIS or that plan-managed and self-managed participants cannot choose them.

Registration is also not a substitute for checking whether a coordinator is a good fit. Participants should still look at communication, experience, service agreements, privacy, record keeping, conflict-of-interest safeguards and whether the coordinator is transparent about what they can and cannot do.

Plan-managed funding

If the relevant Support Coordination funding is plan-managed, a registered plan manager handles eligible provider invoices and claims within their role. Plan-managed participants can generally use registered or unregistered providers for supports where the NDIS rules allow it.

Self-managed funding

Self-managed participants can generally choose registered or unregistered providers for supports where the rules allow. Self-management also gives the participant or nominee more direct responsibility for paying providers, keeping records and claiming in line with NDIS requirements.

NDIA-managed funding

NDIA-managed supports require registered providers. TrueSide is currently unregistered, so we cannot provide Support Coordination billed from NDIA-managed funding. If you are not sure how your Support Coordination funding is managed, check your plan or participant portal, or ask the NDIA or your NDIS contact.

Can I change how my funding is managed?

Funding-management arrangements are an NDIS plan matter, not something a provider can promise to change for you. If you want to understand your management options, use current NDIA guidance and speak with the NDIA or your relevant planning contact. A provider should not pressure you to change management type just so that you can use that provider.

What should I check before signing?

• The funded support: confirm Support Coordination is in the plan and which level is funded.
• Management type: confirm whether the relevant funding is plan-managed, self-managed or NDIA-managed.
• Rates and item codes: make sure the service agreement matches the intended service and current pricing rules.
• Conflicts of interest: if a coordinator’s organisation also delivers other supports, ask how genuine provider choice is protected.
• Exit and notice terms: understand how you can change providers and what notice the service agreement requires.

TrueSide’s current position

TrueSide is an unregistered NDIS provider offering Level 1 Support Connection and Level 2 Coordination of Supports where appropriate for plan-managed and self-managed participants. Support Work is a separate service. Participants using Support Coordination are not required to use TrueSide for Support Work, and provider choice remains with the participant.

Official sources

NDIS rules and price limits can change. Check the NDIA’s information about Support Coordinators, the NDIA guide for Support Coordinators and the current NDIS pricing information for the latest official position.