Local Area Coordinators (LACs) help 70% of NDIS participants connect with providers. This guide shows you how to introduce yourself to LAC organizations, build relationships, and get quality referrals.

What LACs do (and how they refer providers)

LAC role:

  • Help participants understand NDIS
  • Connect participants to community and mainstream services
  • Support plan implementation (NOT plan creation - that’s planners)
  • Refer participants to providers when needed

How LACs refer:

  • Participant asks “Where can I find [service]?”
  • LAC suggests 2-3 providers they know and trust
  • Participant chooses from LAC’s suggestions
  • LAC facilitates introduction

LAC referral quality:

  • Pre-qualified (LAC confirmed service match)
  • Ready to proceed (participant already decided they need service)
  • Trust factor (LAC recommendation carries weight)

Volume: Individual LAC makes 5-15 provider referrals/year. LAC organization (5-10 LACs) makes 50-150 referrals/year.

Finding LACs in your area

NDIS Partners in Community map:

Typical LAC organizations:

  • Community health services
  • Local councils
  • Disability advocacy groups
  • Mental health organizations

Target: Identify 3-5 LAC organizations in your service area

How to introduce yourself to LACs

Method 1: Drop-in visit (most effective)

  1. Visit LAC office (no appointment needed for first intro)

  2. Reception approach:

    • “Hi, I’m [name], an NDIS provider offering [service]”
    • “I’d love to leave brochures for the LAC team”
    • “Is there someone I could briefly meet to introduce myself?”

  3. If LAC available (5 min intro):

    • Your service + areas covered
    • Unique strengths (immediate availability, cultural competency, specialization)
    • “I’d love to be a referral option for participants needing [service]”

  4. Leave materials:

    • Service brochures (20-30 copies)
    • Business cards
    • One-page service summary

Method 2: Email introduction

Subject: “[Your Name] - NDIS [Service] Provider in [Area]”

Body:

Hi [LAC Coordinator Name],

I'm [Your Name], a registered NDIS provider offering [service type] across [suburbs covered by this LAC].

I work with participants who [specific needs], with [X years] disability sector experience.

Service highlights:
• [Availability - e.g., "Same-week appointments"]
• [Specialization - e.g., "Autism-informed practice"]
• [Access - e.g., "Bilingual - English/Mandarin"]

I'd love to be a referral resource for your LAC team when participants need [service].

Can I drop by with brochures next week, or would you prefer I email service information?

Best,
[Your Name]
[Phone] | [Website]
NDIS Registration: [Number]

What LACs need from providers

LAC referral criteria:

  1. Reliability - Show up, deliver what you promise
  2. Availability - Honest about capacity (don’t say “yes” if full)
  3. Responsiveness - Return calls same day
  4. Quality - No participant complaints
  5. Communication - Keep LAC updated if issues arise

How to become LAC’s trusted provider:

✅ Respond fast:

  • LAC sends referral → call participant within 24 hours
  • Confirm with LAC you’ve made contact

✅ Be transparent:

  • “I have capacity for 2 more participants this month”
  • “I’m currently full but have opening in 3 weeks”
  • Don’t overpromise

✅ Provide value:

  • Offer to present at LAC participant information sessions
  • Share NDIS updates relevant to participants
  • Be community resource (not just vendor)

✅ Follow through:

  • If you commit to calling participant, do it
  • If service doesn’t work out, tell LAC why (so they learn)
  • Never ghost participants LAC referred

LAC relationship maintenance

Quarterly:

  • Drop by LAC office with fresh brochures
  • 5-minute catchup with coordinator
  • Update on your capacity/any new services

When you receive referral:

  • Thank LAC immediately
  • Update LAC after first participant session
  • Alert LAC to any issues early

Annual:

  • Offer to present at LAC participant workshops
  • Share year-in-review (how many participants served)
  • Participate in LAC community events if invited

Time investment: 1-2 hours/quarter

Return: 2-5 quality referrals/year per LAC organization

LACs vs Support Coordinators: Who to prioritize?

Support Coordinators:

  • Higher referral volume (5-15/year per SC)
  • Stronger relationship potential
  • More ongoing connection
  • Priority: High

LACs:

  • Lower referral volume (2-5/year per LAC)
  • Broader community connection
  • Good for building local reputation
  • Priority: Medium

Strategy: Focus 70% effort on SC relationships, 30% on LAC connections. Both are valuable, SCs are higher ROI.

Common mistakes with LAC outreach

Mistake #1: Not following up after referral

  • LAC refers participant
  • Provider never tells LAC outcome
  • LAC doesn’t know if referral was successful
  • Solution: Email LAC after first session: “Thanks for referring [name], they’ve started services”

Mistake #2: Cold-calling LACs

  • Phone LAC office asking for referrals
  • Interrupts their work
  • Comes across as pushy
  • Solution: Drop-in visit or email, don’t phone

Mistake #3: Only contacting when you need referrals

  • Reach out when participant numbers drop
  • Ignore LACs when you’re busy
  • Solution: Maintain quarterly contact regardless of capacity

LAC relationships are long-term community connections. Invest genuinely, not transactionally.