NDIS Complex Support: a participant’s guide to high-needs care

Providing meaningful, effective support for people with disability is complex work. Behind every therapy session, equipment item and funding line is a level of coordination that most people never see. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) created Complex Support to simplify this reality for participants and families who face intensive, ongoing support needs.

This guide breaks down what complex support is, who it’s for, how it works, and how to make the most of it.

What complex support needs actually mean

Consider someone who has experienced a significant brain injury. Their recovery or long-term management doesn’t depend on a single service. They may need physiotherapy, occupational therapy, behaviour support, communication assistance, medication management and daily personal support, often delivered by different professionals.

Complex support refers to situations like this, where a person requires multiple, high-level or specialised supports delivered in a coordinated way. The purpose is straightforward: ensure the person receives the right mix of quality supports at the right time, without gaps or duplication.

According to official NDIS data, roughly 10-15% of its participants fall into the complex support category, meaning they have an automatic invitation to apply for these plans.

Who benefits from complex support?

People who may require complex support include those who:

• live with multiple disabilities and need both nursing and daily living support
• have sustained a severe brain injury and need to relearn everyday tasks
• have chronic or degenerative conditions requiring ongoing therapy, medication management and personal care
• experience significant mental health–related disability that affects daily functioning

These are the participants the NDIS designed its Complex Support framework for individuals whose support needs require a more intensive level of planning, oversight and coordination.

What an NDIS complex support plan includes

The NDIS, operated by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), provides funded supports to eligible Australians under 65. (You can remain in the scheme after 65 if you joined before that age.)

Complex support plans sit within the broader NDIS system but are structured to address high-needs situations. They generally include three categories of funding:

Core supports

Help with daily living such as personal care, domestic tasks, meal preparation, transport and community engagement.

Capacity building

Therapies and services aimed at improving independence – speech pathology, physiotherapy, behaviour support, occupational therapy and skill development.

Capital supports

Assistive technology, equipment, home modifications and other items that require specialist assessment.

A well-designed complex support plan makes sure clinical needs, mobility, daily living support and specialised therapy all work together. For families, this can provide enormous relief and clarity.

How the complex support needs pathway works

The Complex Support Needs Pathway was created after the NDIS identified how many participants required a more coordinated, specialised approach.

Through this pathway, participants work with planners and support coordinators who understand high-needs situations and can collaborate with health services, allied health professionals and community agencies.

Key features include:

Specialised planners

Staff trained to understand complex disability presentations, high-risk environments and high-level care needs.

Strong local engagement

The NDIA works directly with hospitals, community services, therapists and providers to ensure everyone involved understands the participant’s needs.

Dedicated coordination

Specialist support coordinators manage implementation, communication and problem-solving across all services.

In practice, this might mean an NDIS planner attending medical appointments (with consent), speaking directly with treating clinicians, or coordinating multi-disciplinary teams when needs change. The goal is simple: nothing gets missed.

Specialist Disability Accommodation and supports for First Nations participants

For participants with very high physical support needs, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can form part of their complex support plan. SDA ensures a person’s home – whether their own property or a purpose-built facility – is modified to suit their needs.

Modifications may include:

• widened doorways
• ceiling hoists
• ramps or lifts
• accessible bathrooms
• reinforced walls or grab rails

The NDIS also embeds culturally safe and inclusive practices through its First Nations Strategy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants can expect support that respects cultural identity, community connection and the unique context of First Nations experiences with disability.

Making the most of NDIS complex support

Complex support isn’t just about funding – it’s about quality of life. To get the best outcomes:

• Review your plan regularly. Needs change, and so should your supports.
• Communicate openly. Tell your support coordinator and therapists when something isn’t working.
• Build a reliable local network. Strong communication between providers prevents gaps.
• Use specialist support coordination. A knowledgeable coordinator can map your goals, recommend trusted providers and strengthen your plan.
• Work collaboratively with your NDIA team. Clear, respectful communication makes the process smoother.

When used well, complex support planning improves independence, safety, comfort and overall well-being – not just for the participant, but for their family as well.

Click here to find out more about Disability Support.