Specialist support coordination (Level 3) in Melbourne, for plans with complex needs.

Level 2, Coordination of Supports, is the standard service: understanding the plan, connecting with providers, managing service agreements and preparing for reviews. Level 3, Specialist Support Coordination, is funded when the situation is complex or high risk: forensic involvement, repeated hospital admissions, housing breakdown or several agencies at once. It includes risk and crisis planning, is delivered by a more experienced coordinator, and is funded at a higher hourly rate.

The NDIA funds Level 3 when it decides a participant's situation needs a specialist to reduce risk and complexity. Common triggers are a hospital or mental health admission, involvement with the justice system, several services failing at once, or a serious safety concern. Evidence from treating teams, hospitals or the courts helps. If your plan only funds Level 2, we can help you request a change of circumstances.

Yes, at any time. You do not need the NDIA's permission to change providers. Check your service agreement for the notice period, tell your current coordinator in writing, and we handle the rest: we request the plan, pick up open tasks and make sure no supports lapse. If a court or treating team is involved, we introduce ourselves early so nothing falls between the two coordinators.

Yes, and it is a large part of the work. We join discharge planning with the ward social worker or treating team, line up short-term, medium-term or supported independent living accommodation, arrange support workers and community nursing for the first days home, and make sure medication, equipment and follow-up appointments are in place before you leave. Our hospital discharge support page has the steps.

Yes. Forensic support is a Newdawn specialty. We coordinate with Corrections Victoria, Forensicare, the courts and legal representatives so that housing, supports and reporting arrangements are in place before release and fit the conditions of the order. A missed appointment can have legal consequences, so the supports we set up are built to be reliable, with a plan for who steps in if something changes.

It can be, so we manage it openly. Your coordinator shows you options from the whole market, not just ours. If you choose a Newdawn service for something else, we record that you were offered alternatives, confirm it in writing, and you can change your mind at any time. The NDIS Code of Conduct and our own policy require this.

It depends on your plan. The NDIA usually funds Level 3 for a defined period while risk is high, for example the first plan after a hospital stay or release from custody. As things stabilise the plan often steps down to Level 2. We track the hours with you, tell you early if they are running low, and help you request more if you still need Level 3.

No. It is paid from the Support Coordination budget in your plan, which the NDIA funds specifically for this. There is no gap fee, no joining fee and no charge for the first phone call. Because the budget is stated and separate, using it does not reduce the money for your other supports. If you are unsure whether your plan funds it, send it to us.