NDIS Price Guide 2025-26: What Support Coordinators Need to Know
Complete guide to NDIS pricing for 2025-26 including support coordination rates, travel claims, and key changes affecting your practice.
- Support Coordination Rate Structure 2025-26
- Understanding the Three Levels
- Travel Claiming Rules 2025-26
- Current Travel Rates
- What You Can Claim
- What You Cannot Claim
- New Compliance Requirement
- Key Changes from 2024-25
- 1. Simplified Rate Categories
- 2. Enhanced Documentation Requirements
- 3. Provider Registration Updates
- 4. Technology Integration Incentives
- Billing Best Practices for 2025-26
- Accurate Level Assignment
- Documentation Standards
- Staying Current with Price Changes
- Official NDIS Channels
- Practice Management Integration
- Financial Impact Assessment
- Rate Increases by Service Volume
- Budget Planning for Participants
- Compliance and Audit Considerations
- Enhanced Audit Focus Areas
- Documentation Best Practices
- Technology and Pricing Integration
- Automated Compliance Checking
- Looking Ahead: 2026-27 Predictions
- Anticipated Changes
- Action Items for Your Practice
- Immediate Actions (This Month)
- Medium-Term Actions (Next 3 Months)
- Pro Tip: Plan Review Strategy
The NDIS Price Guide 2025-26 introduces significant changes that directly impact support coordination practices. With new rate structures, modified travel claiming rules, and updated compliance requirements, staying current with pricing is crucial for practice sustainability and participant outcomes.
This guide breaks down everything support coordinators need to know about the latest pricing framework.
Support Coordination Rate Structure 2025-26
Support coordination rates have been restructured to better reflect the complexity and skill requirements of different coordination levels.
| Level | Support Item Code | Hourly Rate | Rate Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Coordination Level 1 | 07_013_0116_1_3 | $65.09 | +3.2% |
| Support Coordination Level 2 | 07_013_0116_2_3 | $100.14 | +2.8% |
| Support Coordination Level 3 | 07_013_0116_3_3 | $190.54 | +4.1% |
Understanding the Three Levels
Level 1 Support Coordination ($65.09/hr)
Suitable for: Participants with straightforward needs requiring basic service connection and plan monitoring.
Activities: Provider liaison, budget tracking, simple service coordination, plan implementation support.
Level 2 Support Coordination ($100.14/hr)
Suitable for: Participants with complex needs requiring specialist knowledge and advocacy.
Activities: Complex provider negotiations, crisis intervention, system navigation, capacity building support.
Level 3 Support Coordination ($190.54/hr)
Suitable for: Participants with multiple complex needs requiring specialist expertise and intensive coordination.
Activities: Multi-disciplinary coordination, complex behaviour support, transition planning, high-risk support coordination.
Travel Claiming Rules 2025-26
Travel claiming has been simplified with clearer guidelines and updated compliance requirements.
Current Travel Rates
Travel Support Item: 07_013_0136_1_3
- Rate: $1.08 per kilometre
- Rate increase: +2.9% from 2024-25
- Calculation: One-way distance from base to participant location
- Maximum: 100km per trip (requires justification beyond 50km)
What You Can Claim
- Direct travel: From your office/base to participant location
- Return travel: From participant location back to your base
- Reasonable parking: When visiting participants
- Public transport: At actual cost (with receipts)
What You Cannot Claim
- Travel from home to office (normal commute)
- Travel between multiple participants on the same day
- Excessive detours or inefficient routing
- Travel time beyond 2 hours per participant per day
- Parking fines or traffic violations
New Compliance Requirement
From July 2025, all travel claims over 30km must include justification in case notes explaining why face-to-face delivery was necessary and why a closer provider was not suitable.
Key Changes from 2024-25
1. Simplified Rate Categories
Previous regional pricing variations have been removed. All areas now use the same base rates, with travel adjustments where appropriate.
2. Enhanced Documentation Requirements
- Clearer case note standards for each support coordination level
- Mandatory outcome reporting every 6 months
- Strengthened justification requirements for Level 3 coordination
3. Provider Registration Updates
New registration categories align with the three-tier support coordination structure, ensuring coordinators have appropriate qualifications for their claimed level.
4. Technology Integration Incentives
Providers using NDIS-approved practice management systems may be eligible for faster reporting processes and quicker payment settlements.
Billing Best Practices for 2025-26
Accurate Level Assignment
Ensure you're billing at the appropriate level for the complexity of work provided:
| Activity | Appropriate Level | Justification Required |
|---|---|---|
| Basic service connection | Level 1 | No |
| Crisis intervention | Level 2 or 3 | Yes - nature of crisis |
| Multi-agency coordination | Level 2 or 3 | Yes - agencies involved |
| Specialist assessment liaison | Level 3 | Yes - specialist type and complexity |
Documentation Standards
Each level requires different documentation depth:
Level 1 Documentation
Basic case notes covering services connected, outcomes achieved, and next steps. Standard SOAP or DAP format acceptable.
Level 2 Documentation
Detailed case notes including risk assessments, stakeholder consultation records, and outcome measurements. Evidence of specialist knowledge application required.
Level 3 Documentation
Comprehensive case notes with multi-disciplinary team consultation records, detailed risk management plans, and measurable outcome tracking. Regular supervision notes may be required.
Staying Current with Price Changes
Official NDIS Channels
- NDIS Price Guide updates: Published quarterly on NDIS website
- Provider bulletins: Email updates for registered providers
- Webinar series: NDIS-hosted training on price guide changes
- Industry forums: Sector-led discussions on pricing impacts
Practice Management Integration
Modern practice management systems automatically update pricing when new guides are released:
CordoCare Pricing Features
- Automatic price guide updates on release day
- Rate validation during invoice generation
- Historical pricing comparisons
- Compliance checking for level appropriateness
- Travel claiming rule enforcement
- Support item code suggestions based on activity description
Financial Impact Assessment
Rate Increases by Service Volume
Calculate the financial impact of rate changes on your practice:
Example Monthly Impact
Practice delivering 100 hours/month at Level 2:
Previous rate: $97.43/hour = $9,743/month
New rate: $100.14/hour = $10,014/month
Monthly increase: $271
Budget Planning for Participants
Help participants understand how rate changes affect their plan utilisation:
| Plan Budget | Hours at Old Rate | Hours at New Rate | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 (Level 2) | 30.8 hours | 30.0 hours | -0.8 hours |
| $6,000 (Level 2) | 61.6 hours | 59.9 hours | -1.7 hours |
| $12,000 (Level 3) | 65.6 hours | 63.0 hours | -2.6 hours |
Compliance and Audit Considerations
Enhanced Audit Focus Areas
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has identified key audit focus areas for 2025-26:
- Level appropriateness: Ensuring billed level matches service complexity
- Travel justification: Particularly for longer-distance claims
- Outcome measurement: Evidence of participant progress and goal achievement
- Service quality: Alignment between charged rates and service delivery standards
Documentation Best Practices
Audit-Ready Documentation Checklist
- ☐ Case notes clearly justify support coordination level used
- ☐ Travel claims include distance calculation and necessity justification
- ☐ Outcome measurements recorded every 3-6 months
- ☐ Participant consent documented for all service levels
- ☐ Professional development records current for claimed expertise levels
Technology and Pricing Integration
Automated Compliance Checking
Advanced practice management systems now include pricing compliance features:
- Level validation: AI analysis of case notes to suggest appropriate billing level
- Travel optimisation: Route planning to minimise unnecessary travel claims
- Rate accuracy: Automatic application of current pricing based on service date
- Audit reporting: Compliance dashboards showing potential audit risks
Looking Ahead: 2026-27 Predictions
Anticipated Changes
Based on current trends and sector feedback, potential changes for 2026-27 may include:
- Outcome-based pricing: Performance incentives for demonstrated participant outcomes
- Technology integration bonuses: Rate supplements for providers using approved digital tools
- Rural/remote adjustments: Enhanced rates for services in underserved areas
- Quality accreditation tiers: Premium rates for providers meeting enhanced practice standards
Action Items for Your Practice
Immediate Actions (This Month)
- Update your practice management system with new rates
- Review current participant levels for appropriateness
- Audit travel claiming practices for compliance
- Calculate financial impact on your practice revenue
Medium-Term Actions (Next 3 Months)
- Enhance documentation procedures for higher-level coordination
- Invest in staff training for complex support coordination
- Implement technology solutions for pricing compliance
- Develop outcome measurement frameworks
Pro Tip: Plan Review Strategy
Use plan reviews as opportunities to discuss appropriate support coordination levels with NDIS planners. Well-documented justification for higher levels can secure better funding for complex participants.
The 2025-26 NDIS Price Guide offers opportunities for practices that understand and use the new structure effectively. Focus on appropriate level assignment, robust documentation, and compliance with travel rules to maximise both participant outcomes and practice sustainability.
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