The NDIS isn’t just for therapy, support workers and equipment. There are dozens of supports that get missed because people don’t realise they can ask for them — or they’ve never had a support coordinator who thinks creatively.

A good Level 2 Support Coordinator does more than link you with the usual services. They help you understand how your plan can stretch further and connect you with options that improve your quality of life in real, practical ways. Here are some examples of lesser-known supports that many people are eligible for — and how a skilled coordinator can help you access them.

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1. Transport supports — not just taxis

If you’ve got a transport budget in your NDIS plan, you might think it only covers taxis or rideshare to and from appointments. But it can often be used in more flexible ways.

A good coordinator can help you:

• Link with community transport services or local council shuttle programs
  
• Organise training in how to use public transport independently
  
• Budget for travel to regular community activities, not just medical visits
  
• Include transport costs in support worker hours (if they’re driving you around)
  
  

At United Foundation, we worked with a participant who wanted to begin travelling without relying on a Support Worker for every activity. We supported them to receive support for travel training and helped them receive transport funding in their NDIS plan to make sure they could get around the way they needed.

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2. Low-cost assistive technology — even simple stuff

You don’t always need a full AT assessment to access helpful tools. If it’s under $1,500 and relates to your goals, your core or consumables budget might already cover it. That includes things like:

• Noise-cancelling headphones for sensory regulation
  
• Smartwatches for reminders and scheduling
  
• iPads or tablets for communication or therapy apps
  
• Specialised kitchen tools to support independent living
  
• Visual timers or weighted lap pads
  
  

Your coordinator can help identify what you might benefit from, and check if it fits under your plan — especially if it supports goals like independence, safety, or managing routines.

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3. Community and social participation

A well-connected coordinator knows the local area — and they can help you find programs that match your interests. That could include:

• Creative art groups
  
• Adaptive sports programs
  
• Local men’s or women’s sheds
  
• Gardening or environmental groups
  
• Social clubs for young adults with disability
  
• Culturally specific disability groups or gatherings
  
  

NDIS can fund a support worker to attend with you, cover activity costs in some cases, or provide the transport to get there. But many participants don’t know these options even exist.

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4. In-home skill-building

Instead of just having a support worker “do tasks for you,” your coordinator can help you set up supports that teach you how to do things over time. This includes:

• Budgeting and shopping skills
  
• Cooking with adaptive tools
  
• Learning to manage medications with reminders
  
• Basic computer or digital skills
  
• Time management or morning routines
  
  

This is where capacity building meets daily living. Your coordinator should help you find support workers trained to teach, not just assist.

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5. Therapy alternatives and group programs

NDIS doesn’t just fund 1:1 therapy. If traditional sessions feel overwhelming or haven’t worked for you, your coordinator can help find alternatives that still meet your goals. These might include:

• Group therapy or psychoeducation workshops
  
• Art therapy or music therapy sessions
  
• Animal-assisted therapy
  
• Outdoor therapy or nature-based activities
  
• Peer-led recovery programs
  
  

For one participant looking to maximise their therapy sessions and build their social skills, group Exercise Physiology sessions made more progress than individual sessions alone. The coordinator helped the participant make it happen by thinking outside of the box and connecting with providers beyond the typical directories.

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6. Support for learning and employment

If your goals include building towards work or education, your coordinator can link you with:

• Study skill programs or assistive tech for learning
  
• Help with course enrolments
  
• Employment supports or job coaches
  
• On-the-job training options
  
• Volunteering programs that align with your interests
  
  

This type of support can often be funded under Finding and Keeping a Job or Improved Daily Living, but many people miss out because it’s not clearly explained. A skilled coordinator knows how to frame the request properly.

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7. Help at home that makes a difference

Supports like domestic assistance or cleaning are common — but coordinators can help tailor these so they’re actually useful. That might mean:

• Support workers who clean with you, to build routine
  
• Gardening help if overgrowth is a safety issue
  
• Meal preparation supports with a nutrition focus
  
• Support setting up assistive devices in your home
  
  

It’s about matching the right person to your home life, so that support isn’t just practical — it’s empowering.

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How United Foundation Thinks Creatively About Your Plan

At United Foundation, we believe your NDIS plan should open doors, not limit you. Our Level 2 Support Coordinators take time to get to know you — not just your disability, but your interests, your routines, and what would make daily life better.

We’ve helped participants access unexpected supports like therapy through bushwalking, digital skills groups at the local library, and multicultural programs run by small community groups — because we don’t stop at the obvious.

We ask: What would actually improve this person’s day-to-day life? Then we find a way to make it happen, using your plan as a tool — not a barrier.

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How we Can Help

If your support coordination has only shown you the basics, you’re missing out. There’s a wide world of creative, useful, and goal-aligned supports that could make a huge difference to your life.

Want help exploring what your plan can really do? Contact United Foundation. We’ll help you find options that actually work for you — not just what's on the list.

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