NDIS NewsNDIS 101

What is a Local Area Coordinator?

Find out what Local Area Coordinators do.

By Team DSC

Updated 16 Oct 20241 Apr 2023
Image of a maze

Local Area Coordinators (LACs) work with people with disability in their community, who may or may not be NDIS participants. They support people with disability to access the information and support they need to work towards their goals and build their capacity to make decisions about their lives. 

NDIS participants who are streamed as less intensive will often be supported by an LAC (rather than a Support Coordinator).

The NDIA outlines nine broad functions of LACs:

  • Individual capacity building
  • Community capacity building
  • Information provision
  • Connection to supports
  • Assessment and information gathering
  • Developing goals and aspirations 
  • Monitoring and check-ins 
  • Scheme access support
  • NDIS plan budget development 

LACs can help people with disability to:

  • Understand and access the NDIS – This can include workshops or individual conversations about the NDIS.
  • Create a plan – If a person is eligible for an NDIS support plan, the LAC will engage with them to learn about their current situation, supports, and goals to help develop their plan. Noting that LACs cannot approve an NDIS plan, this is done by someone from the NDIA.
  • Implement a person’s plan – The LAC can help a participant to find and start receiving the services in their NDIS plan. The LAC can also provide assistance throughout a person’s plan if they have any questions.
  • Plan reassessment – The LAC can check-in with participants during their plan, to see if the plan is working well for them. They can help participants make changes to their plan with a plan reassessment or plan variation.

LACs are not limited to supporting people with the NDIS. People can ask an LAC about the supports available in their community, even if they are not eligible for the NDIS. Partners delivering LAC services are there to try make the community more welcoming and inclusive.

LACs can provide information and assistance to make connections in the community such as:

  • Exploring the local community and support groups.
  • Understanding how the NDIS works with other government services – including things like education, health, and transport.
  • Sustaining informal supports around a person – this includes family, friends and local community members.

Artwork by Melissa Pym

Authors

Explore DSC