Understanding NDIS Participant Referrals: Who Can Make Them and When in Adelaide, South Australia
If you’re an NDIS 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 are more important than ever.
Understanding who can make an NDIS participant referral and when can save time, reduce stress, and help supports start sooner.
At Nascare, we receive referrals every day—from participants, families, coordinators, and professionals across many different situations.
In this blog, we explain:
What an NDIS participant referral is
Who can make a referral
When referrals usually happen
Why the right referral at the right time makes a real difference
What Is an NDIS Participant Referral?
An NDIS participant referral is the process that turns approved NDIS funding into real, day-to-day support.
It involves sharing a participant’s:
Goals
Support needs
Funding details
Preferences
with a service provider, so services can begin.
A referral connects an NDIS plan to real life. Without it, funding stays on paper.
Because the NDIS is built on choice and control, referrals help participants choose the providers that best suit their needs and goals.
A clear and timely referral means:
Less confusion
Faster service start
Better-matched support
Who Can Make an NDIS Participant Referral?
An NDIS referral can be made by several different people, depending on the participant’s situation. What matters most is that the referral reflects the participant’s needs and preferences.
NDIS Participants (Self-Referral)
When participants can refer themselves:
Anytime after their NDIS plan is approved.
Why self-referrals are helpful:
Full choice and control
Direct communication with providers
Support starts when the participant is ready
Best suited for:
Participants who have clear goals and feel confident contacting providers directly.
Support Coordinators
Their role:
Support Coordinators help participants understand their plan and connect with suitable providers.
When they usually submit referrals:
When participants need guidance
When supports are complex or multiple services are involved
Why detailed referrals matter:
Clear information helps providers align services with funding and begin supports sooner.
Local Area Coordinators (LACs)
How LACs help:
LACs support participants to understand and implement their NDIS plan and connect with services.
When LACs make referrals:
During plan implementation
When participants do not have a Support Coordinator
LAC vs Support Coordinator referrals:
LACs focus on access, planning, and connection
Support Coordinators manage ongoing supports and service coordination
Plan Managers
How Plan Managers assist:
Plan Managers help participants understand budgets and ensure services are funded correctly.
Their role in referrals:
Confirming funding availability
Checking provider suitability
Supporting participants to make informed choices
When Plan Managers are involved:
When participants want help managing budgets, invoices, or provider payments.
Family Members or Carers
When families or carers can make referrals:
With the participant’s consent—especially when the participant needs additional support.
Participant choice remains central:
Family and carers support decision-making, but the participant’s goals and preferences always come first.
Common situations:
Participants with complex health, communication, or daily living needs.
Health and Allied Health Professionals
Who may refer:
GPs
Hospitals
Therapists
Allied health professionals
Common referral situations:
Hospital discharge planning
Starting therapy or early intervention
Transitioning from acute care to community supports
Why clinical information matters:
Accurate documentation helps providers deliver safe, appropriate, and effective care.
When Can an NDIS Participant Referral Be Made?
Referrals can be made at several key points. Getting the timing right helps supports start smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
Referrals are commonly made:
After NDIS plan approval – once funding is in place
When starting new supports – for the first time or after a break
When changing providers – if current services aren’t meeting needs
When goals or support needs change – as life circumstances evolve
During hospital discharge or major life transitions – to ensure continuity of care
Timely referrals reduce stress and help participants receive support when they need it most.
How to Submit an NDIS Participant Referral to Nascare
Submitting a referral to Nascare is simple and stress-free.
Step 1: Prepare the information
Include:
NDIS goals
Required supports
Funding details
Any specific needs or preferences
Step 2: Choose who will submit the referral
This can be:
The participant
A family member or carer
A Support Coordinator
A Plan Manager
A health or allied health professional
Step 3: Contact Nascare
Reach out via:
Phone
Email
Our online referral form
Our team will review the referral and respond promptly.
Step 4: Confirm and start supports
Once accepted, we work closely with the participant to set up the right supports at the right time.
Supporting You Every Step of the Way
With over 10 years of experience as an NDIS provider, Nascare has handled thousands of referrals with care, respect, and understanding.
Our focus is always on ensuring participants feel:
Supported
Heard
Confident
Ready to begin meaningful, goal-driven services
Reach out to Nascare today and take the first step toward the right support, at the right time.
Welcome!