Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the different types of support available. If you’re unsure about the difference between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator, you’re not alone.
Both roles fall under the Capacity Building budget, and while they share some overlapping tasks, their focus and approach set them apart.
A Psychosocial Recovery Coach specialises in supporting individuals with mental health challenges, working closely with them to develop strategies, set goals, and access the services they need to thrive.
On the other hand, a Support Coordinator helps participants understand and access NDIS supports so that they can make the most of their funding and connect with the right providers.
At Hunter Care Group, our experienced team provides both of these supports to NDIS participants in the greater Newcastle area. In this guide, we break down the differences between these roles, helping you to determine which option best suits your needs.
Read on to learn how a Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator can assist you on your NDIS journey.
What is a Support Coordinator?
A Support Coordinator helps NDIS participants make sense of their plan and connect with the right services to achieve their goals. Funded under the Capacity Building category, Support Coordination is designed to simplify the NDIS process, making it easier for participants to access the support services they need.
Beyond just linking participants to providers, a Support Coordinator also helps build the skills needed to confidently manage and use their plan. They empower individuals to make informed choices, track their budget, and get the most out of their NDIS funding.
What does a Support Coordinator do?
A Support Coordinator plays a key role in helping NDIS participants understand, manage, and make the most of their plan. Their job is to guide you through every stage of your NDIS journey, ensuring you have the right supports in place to achieve your goals.
From explaining your budget and recommending how to use it effectively to coordinating services that best suit your needs, a Support Coordinator is there to simplify the process.
They also help you establish and maintain support networks, adjust services as your circumstances change, and handle any challenges that may arise—including liaising with the NDIS on your behalf.
Since every participant’s needs are unique, the role of a Support Coordinator can vary. That said, some of the key ways they provide support include:
- Helping you understand your plan – Making sense of your NDIS plan so you can use it effectively.
- Tailoring your support network – Working with you to organise services that align with your goals and lifestyle.
- Connecting you with the right resources – Linking you to disability supports, education, employment, healthcare, and social opportunities.
- Coordinating with your support system – Collaborating with your family, service providers, and other key supports to ensure consistency in care.
- Handling logistics – Assisting with service agreements, bookings, and provider management.
- Monitoring progress – Regularly reviewing your supports to ensure they continue to meet your evolving needs.
- Breaking down barriers – Helping you navigate challenges and access the right services when obstacles arise.
- Liaising with the NDIA – Keeping the NDIA informed with reports and updates.
- Empowering your choices – Ensuring you have control over the supports and services you receive.
- Boosting independence – Helping you develop the skills and confidence to manage your plan with greater autonomy.
- Planning for life’s changes – Assisting with transitions such as moving house, shifts in family support, or unexpected hospital stays.
- Crisis management – Creating proactive strategies to prevent and handle urgent situations.
- Preparing for plan reviews – Supporting you through reassessments and funding requests.
Ultimately, a Support Coordinator is there to empower you to navigate the NDIS with confidence, ensuring your plan is working for you every step of the way.
What is a Psychosocial Recovery Coach?
A Psychosocial Recovery Coach is an NDIS-funded support for people with psychosocial disabilities, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. These conditions can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming — which is where a Recovery Coach steps in to provide tailored, hands-on support.
While Support Coordinators focus on managing and organising a participant’s NDIS plan, Psychosocial Recovery Coaches act as a mentor and coach, helping participants build mental resilience, develop life skills, and work towards recovery goals.
Importantly, the NDIA defines recovery as achieving an optimal state of social, emotional, and personal well-being, whether that means overcoming obstacles or learning how to manage life with a mental health condition.
If a Support Coordinator helps you navigate the system, a Psychosocial Recovery Coach helps you navigate life—offering guidance, encouragement, and practical tools to help you thrive.
What does a Psychosocial Recovery Coach do?
A Psychosocial Recovery Coach supports and guides NDIS participants with mental health challenges, helping them work towards independence, confidence, and a more fulfilling life.
To do this, they’ll deliver one-on-one coaching tailored to your unique needs. This will involve:
- Goal setting & recovery planning – Together, you’ll set realistic, achievable goals for your mental health, social connections, community participation, and personal growth. Your Recovery Plan sits alongside your
- NDIS Plan, breaking long-term goals into clear, short-term steps to keep you on track.
- Skill building – Whether it’s developing social skills, learning independent living strategies, or managing daily activities, your coach helps build your confidence and capability.
- Crisis support & problem-solving – Life has its ups and downs, and a Recovery Coach is there to guide you through challenges, offering emotional support and practical solutions when things get tough.
- Advocacy & self-empowerment – They help you understand your rights, build self-advocacy skills, and ensure you have a voice in decisions affecting your care.
- Working with your support network – They coordinate with family, carers, service providers, and the NDIS to make sure you have a strong, well-rounded support system.
A Psychosocial Recovery Coach is more than just a support worker—they’re a mentor, advocate, and guide, helping you take control of your mental health recovery and build a future that works for you.
Support Coordination vs Psychosocial Recovery Coaching
Below, we share the key differences between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Support Coordinator.
Target participants
The main difference between Support Coordination and Recovery Coaching comes down to who they’re for.
Support Coordination is available to all eligible NDIS participants, helping them understand their plan and connect with the right services. Recovery Coaching, on the other hand, is specifically for people with psychosocial disabilities caused by mental health conditions, offering extra support to help them on their recovery journey.
In short, if you need general support to manage and coordinate your NDIS plan, a Support Coordinator is your best fit. But if you’re looking for specialist guidance in navigating mental health recovery, a Psychosocial Recovery Coach may be the most suitable support.
Focus & scope
While Support Coordinators and Psychosocial Recovery Coaches both help NDIS participants get the most out of their plans, their focus and approach differ.
Support Coordinators take a broader approach, working with participants across all types of disabilities. Their role is to help you understand, organise, and manage your NDIS plan, ensuring you’re connected with the right providers and supports to meet your needs. Think of them as your go-to guide for navigating the NDIS system and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Psychosocial Recovery Coaches, in contrast, are more recovery oriented. They work specifically with participants who have psychosocial disabilities, providing tailored support to help them build resilience, develop coping strategies, and work towards greater independence.
That’s why, unlike Support Coordinators, Recovery Coaches must have formal training in mental health—like a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or Certificate IV in Mental Health—or at least two years of experience in the mental health field. This way, they have the expertise and real-world knowledge to provide the right guidance for participants working through mental health challenges.
Support delivery
How they deliver support is another key difference between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Support Coordinator.
Overall, Support Coordination is more administrative and strategic. A Support Coordinator acts as a bridge between you and service providers, making sure you can access the supports you need—whether it’s housing, medical care, education, or social activities. Their role is about big-picture planning, keeping things organised, and ensuring your services align with your NDIS goals.
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is more hands-on and personalised. A Recovery Coach works closely with you through regular coaching sessions, helping you develop skills, build confidence, and work towards recovery.
They concentrate on small, meaningful steps that support mental health recovery—helping you gain independence, improve daily life skills, and engage more fully in your community.
Unlike Support Coordinators, Recovery Coaches foster long-term relationships with participants, offering ongoing encouragement and tailored strategies for mental wellness.
NDIS line items & price limits
NDIS funding for both Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaching falls under the Capacity Building – Support Coordination category. That said, each service has its own dedicated line item:
- Support Coordination is listed under ‘Support Coordination’
- Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is listed under ‘Psychosocial Recovery Coaching’
So, while they share the same funding category, their pricing structures differ.
Support Coordination has a flat hourly rate, regardless of when the service is provided. Meanwhile, Recovery Coaching is generally more affordable per hour but includes higher rates for after-hours support, like weekends or evenings. Additionally, price limits may vary depending on whether the participant is in a remote or very remote area.
These differences help to make sure that participants get the right level of support at a price that reflects the nature of the service and when it’s delivered.
Can you use a Support Coordinator and a Psychosocial Recovery Coach?
In most cases, unless your NDIS funding is stated, you have the flexibility to use your budget for both services.
Many participants choose to keep their Support Coordinator to help with managing their plan and organising services, while also working with a Recovery Coach for personal growth and mental health recovery.
This combination helps you to get the best of both worlds if it’s needed—structured support for navigating the NDIS and one-on-one coaching to build confidence, resilience, and independence.
Meet with trusted Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and Support Coordinators in Newcastle
Understanding the difference between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator is key to choosing the right support for your NDIS journey.
In simple terms, a Support Coordinator helps you make sense of the NDIS, optimise your plan, manage budgets, and connect with essential services. A Recovery Coach, on the other hand, is more of a mentor, providing practical support focused specifically on mental health recovery.
At Hunter Care Group, we recognise that every participant’s needs are unique. Whether you require the structured assistance of a Support Coordinator, the personalised guidance of a Psychosocial Recovery Coach, or both, our local team is always here to help. Get in touch at (02) 4950 2269 or enquire online today.