Mentoring and Coaching Through the NDIS: Building Skills for Greater Independence

Mentoring and coaching support are often overlooked parts of the NDIS. Yet, they are influential in helping participants gain everyday life skills, boost their confidence, and become more independent. Whether you’re just starting your plan or looking to get more out of your funding, understanding how mentoring and coaching can support your goals is a valuable step.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• What mentoring and coaching support looks like
  
• What goals can it help with
  
• Where can this funding come from in your NDIS plan (including some cases where Core funding may be used)
  
• How to get started with support that fits your goals



What Is Mentoring and Coaching in the NDIS?

Mentoring and coaching are flexible support options focused on skill-building and personal development. These supports are usually delivered one-on-one and are designed to help you:

• Build everyday life skills
  
• Explore interests and hobbies
  
• Increase your confidence
  
• Work towards greater independence

Unlike therapy or clinical supports, mentoring is more about practical, everyday learning that can be shaped around your interests and goals.

What Can Mentoring and Coaching Help With?

This support is tailored to the individual, so it’s as varied as your needs and lifestyle. Examples include:

• Budgeting and managing money – learning to track expenses, use banking apps, or plan for purchases
  
• Cooking and meal planning – grocery shopping, following recipes, creating simple meal routines
  
• Cleaning and home organisation – establishing routines, decluttering, creating checklists
  
• Time management and routines – using calendars or visual timers, building morning or evening routines
  
• Goal setting and personal planning – breaking down long-term goals into actionable steps
  
• Social confidence and communication – practicing conversation skills, joining clubs or interest groups
  
• Exploring hobbies or employment interests – art, music, sports, or working towards work readiness
  
• Exploring job opportunities or career pathways – preparing for interviews, identifying strengths, setting work goals
  
• Supporting educational goals – enrolling in short courses, building study skills, or transitioning to further study
  
  

Mentoring is often about building the skills and confidence to take the next step, whether learning how to cook a meal, applying for a course, or entering work for the first time.

Where Does the Funding for Mentoring and Coaching Come From?

Mentoring and coaching can be funded from a few different areas of your NDIS plan, depending on how your goals are framed and the type of support delivered.



1. Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation

This is the most common category for mentoring support. It funds services that help you build independence and participate in the community.



• Line items under this category may include Individual Skills Development and Training or Development of Daily Living and Life Skills.

2. Core – Assistance with Social and Community Participation

In some cases, mentoring can be funded under Core supports, especially if the focus is on social inclusion, community access, or support to engage in regular activities that promote independence.

• This is more flexible but may depend on your goals and the wording in your NDIS plan.



3. Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living

If the mentoring support helps develop skills for daily tasks like cooking, organising, or time management, it may fall under Improved Daily Living.



• It often overlaps with therapeutic goals but can include non-clinical mentoring if linked to outcomes.

How Do You Access Mentoring or Coaching Supports?

1. Check your plan – Review your goals and budget categories.
   
2. Talk to your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager. They can help determine whether mentoring can be funded from your current categories.
   
3. Choose a provider – You can use registered or unregistered providers depending on your plan type (e.g. self-managed or plan-managed).
   
4. Request a service agreement and quote – This ensures funding aligns with your goals and budget.
   
   

If your plan doesn’t support mentoring but you believe it should, you can submit a Change of Circumstances or raise the issue during your following plan review.

Final Thoughts

Mentoring and coaching support are more than just helpful add-ons they’re powerful tools for building capacity, confidence, and independence. Whether you want to improve your budgeting, learn to cook, get more organised, or feel more in control of your day-to-day life, these supports can make a real difference.



Need Help Making the Most of Your Plan?

At Empowrd, we help you navigate the NDIS with clarity and confidence. Based in Port Lincoln, we support NDIS participants with Australia-wide Plan Management and local Support Coordination, which includes helping you access mentoring and coaching that fits your goals.

Call (08) 8683 4401 or visit our website to learn more about how we can support your journey to greater independence.