NDIS nominee application guide: plan, correspondence, child nominees

NDIS nominee is person appointed to make decisions or manage communications for participant unable to do so independently. Two nominee types: Plan Nominee (makes plan decisions on funding, supports, providers) and Correspondence Nominee (manages NDIS communications and admin). Apply using Nominee Arrangement Request Form submitted through NDIS portal or by post. Parents or guardians automatically nominees for children under 18 but formal appointment recommended. Nominee must act in participant best interests and can be removed if inappropriate.

NDIS Nominees at a Glance

Nominee Type	Plan Nominee	Correspondence Nominee
Decision Authority	Makes all NDIS plan decisions	NO decision-making authority (admin only)
Responsibilities	Select supports, approve providers, manage funding, attend planning meetings	Receive NDIS letters/emails, manage portal access, book appointments
Examples	Parent choosing therapy for child, guardian approving home modifications	Adult child receiving NDIS mail for elderly parent, friend booking planning meeting
Who Can Be	Parent, guardian, family, trusted person, public guardian	Same options as Plan Nominee
Appointment Process	Nominee Arrangement Request Form + consent/evidence	Same form, tick Correspondence Nominee box
Can Be Same Person	Yes, one person can be both Plan and Correspondence Nominee
Required for Children	Yes, parent/guardian must be appointed (automatic but formal appointment recommended)

When Nominee Needed:

Participant has intellectual disability affecting decision-making
Participant has cognitive impairment (dementia, brain injury)
Participant is child under 18
Participant unable to communicate preferences or consent
Participant has psychosocial disability affecting capacity to engage with NDIS

What is an NDIS Nominee?

Definition and Purpose

NDIS nominee represents participant in NDIS matters when participant cannot:

Make informed decisions independently
Understand NDIS processes and requirements
Communicate preferences and consent
Manage administrative communications

Nominee Framework:

Legislated under NDIS Act 2013
Protects participants who need decision-making support
Ensures participant interests represented in NDIS system
Balances protection with participant autonomy

Types of Nominees

1. Plan Nominee

Decision-Making Authority:

Full NDIS plan decisions: What supports are funded, which providers to use, plan management type
Planning meetings: Represent participant and make decisions about goals and funding
Service agreements: Approve and sign agreements with providers
Plan reviews: Request plan reviews and approve plan changes
Provider selection: Choose which providers deliver supports
Funding decisions: Approve how NDIS funds are spent

When Plan Nominee Needed:

Participant cannot understand NDIS plan options
Participant has impaired decision-making capacity
Participant unable to consent to supports or services
Participant requires someone to manage complex plan decisions

2. Correspondence Nominee

Administrative Authority (NO decision-making):

Receive NDIS communications: Letters, emails, portal notifications
Manage NDIS portal access: Access myplace.ndis.gov.au on participant behalf
Book appointments: Schedule planning meetings, reviews, assessments
Submit documents: Upload reports, quotes, invoices to NDIS
Respond to NDIS inquiries: Provide information requested by NDIA

When Correspondence Nominee Needed:

Participant has vision or literacy challenges
Participant unable to manage emails or online portal
Participant needs assistance with administrative tasks
Participant prefers family member to handle communications

3. Child Representative (Parents/Guardians)

For children under 18:

Parent or legal guardian acts as nominee
Automatic appointment (NDIA assumes parents are nominees)
Formal appointment recommended to avoid administrative issues
Both parents can be joint nominees if parental responsibility shared

Who Can Be an NDIS Nominee?

Eligible Nominees

NDIS accepts the following as nominees:

Family Members

Parents (for children under 18)
Adult children (for elderly or disabled parents)
Siblings
Spouses or partners
Grandparents

Legal Guardians

State-appointed guardians: Public Guardian, Public Advocate
Tribunal-appointed guardians: VCAT, NCAT, QCAT guardianship orders
Private guardians: Appointed by state tribunal with guardianship powers

Trusted Persons

Close friends with long-term relationship to participant
Advocates (disability advocates or support persons)
Community members with trusted relationship

Nominee Eligibility Requirements

Nominee must:

Be 18 years or older
Have no conflict of interest with participant
NOT be paid NDIS provider delivering supports to participant
Act in participant’s best interests
Be willing and able to fulfill nominee responsibilities

Conflicts of Interest:

NDIS provider cannot be nominee if they deliver paid supports
Family member providing paid care can be nominee (but plan management recommended to avoid conflict)
Financial interest in participant’s NDIS funding is conflict

NDIS Nominee Application Process

Step 1: Determine Need for Nominee

Assess if participant needs nominee:

Participant Has Capacity (No Nominee Needed):

Can understand NDIS plan options and make informed choices
Can communicate preferences and consent
Can engage with NDIS independently or with support coordinator

Participant Needs Decision-Making Support (Plan Nominee):

Has intellectual disability affecting decision-making
Has cognitive impairment (dementia, acquired brain injury)
Cannot provide informed consent
Requires someone to make plan decisions on their behalf

Participant Needs Administrative Support Only (Correspondence Nominee):

Can make decisions but needs help managing communications
Has vision or literacy challenges
Prefers family member to handle NDIS paperwork

If participant has capacity to consent:

Explain nominee role and responsibilities
Discuss who will be nominee
Obtain verbal or written consent
Document consent on Nominee Arrangement Request Form

If participant cannot provide informed consent:

NDIA can appoint nominee without consent if in participant’s best interest
Supporting evidence required (guardianship order, medical assessment of capacity)

Step 3: Complete Nominee Arrangement Request Form

Download form:

NDIS website: ndis.gov.au
NDIS portal: myplace.ndis.gov.au
NDIS contact center: Request form by phone 1800 800 110

Form Sections:

Section 1: Participant Details

Name, NDIS number, date of birth, contact details

Section 2: Nominee Details

Nominee name, relationship to participant, contact details
Nominee type: Plan Nominee, Correspondence Nominee, or both

Section 3: Participant Consent

Participant signs if able to provide informed consent
If participant cannot sign, provide reason and supporting evidence

Section 4: Supporting Evidence

Guardianship orders (if appointed by state tribunal)
Medical reports (if participant cannot consent due to disability)
Statement from nominee (why they are suitable and will act in participant best interest)

Step 4: Submit Nominee Arrangement Request

Submission Options:

Online (NDIS Portal):

Log in to myplace.ndis.gov.au
Upload completed form and supporting documents

Email:

Send to: [email protected]
Subject: “Nominee Arrangement Request - [NDIS Number]”

Post:

National Disability Insurance Agency
GPO Box 700
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone:

Call 1800 800 110 to discuss nominee arrangement
NDIA will send form for completion

Step 5: NDIA Review and Approval

NDIA assesses nominee arrangement:

Participant capacity to consent
Nominee suitability (no conflicts, appropriate person)
Supporting evidence (guardianship, medical reports)
Best interests of participant

Approval Timeline: 2-6 weeks

Approval Outcome:

NDIA sends written confirmation
Nominee details added to NDIS system
Nominee receives portal access (for Correspondence Nominee)

Nominee Responsibilities

Plan Nominee Responsibilities

Decision-Making:

Make NDIS plan decisions aligned with participant goals and preferences
Attend NDIS planning meetings
Review and approve plan budgets and support categories
Select providers and approve service agreements
Request plan reviews when participant needs change

Consultation:

Consult with participant (if they can participate in decisions)
Involve participant in decision-making to maximum extent possible
Respect participant preferences where reasonable
Make decisions in participant’s best interests if preferences unclear

Accountability:

Keep records of decisions made
Explain decisions to participant and family (where appropriate)
Act honestly and without conflict of interest
Report concerns to NDIS if participant at risk

Correspondence Nominee Responsibilities

Administrative Management:

Check NDIS portal regularly for messages and notifications
Receive and review NDIS letters and emails
Respond to NDIA requests for information
Book planning meetings and reviews
Upload reports, quotes, and invoices

Communication:

Keep participant informed of NDIS communications
Explain NDIS letters or emails to participant
Coordinate with Plan Nominee (if different person)

Both Nominees: Safeguarding Responsibilities

Report concerns if participant:

Experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Not receiving appropriate supports
At risk due to provider quality issues
Subject to restrictive practices without proper authorization

Report to:

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: 1800 035 544
NDIA: 1800 800 110
State safeguarding authorities (if immediate danger)

Changing or Removing NDIS Nominee

When Nominee Change Needed

Participant requests change:

Participant regains capacity and wishes to make own decisions
Participant wants different nominee

Nominee circumstances change:

Nominee can no longer fulfill role (illness, relocation, death)
Nominee wishes to resign
Conflict of interest develops

NDIA determines change necessary:

Nominee not acting in participant best interests
Nominee has conflict of interest
Safeguarding concerns about nominee conduct

How to Change Nominee

Submit new Nominee Arrangement Request Form:

Request removal of current nominee
Nominate new nominee (if applicable)
Provide reasons for change

NDIA Reviews:

Assesses new nominee suitability
Ensures smooth transition
Confirms participant interests protected

Transition:

Current nominee responsibilities transferred to new nominee
NDIS portal access updated
Communication preferences changed

Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Nominees

What is an NDIS nominee?

NDIS nominee is person appointed to make decisions or manage communications for NDIS participant who cannot do so independently. Two types: Plan Nominee (makes plan decisions including funding, supports, providers) and Correspondence Nominee (receives NDIS communications and manages admin). Nominees can be parent, guardian, family member, or trusted person. Nominee appointment requires NDIS approval through nominee arrangement request form.

What is the difference between Plan Nominee and Correspondence Nominee?

Plan Nominee makes all NDIS plan decisions (support types, funding amounts, provider selection, plan reviews). Correspondence Nominee manages NDIS communications only (receives letters, emails, portal access, booking appointments). One person can be both types. Plan Nominee has greater responsibility and decision-making authority. Correspondence Nominee does not make plan decisions, only manages administrative communications.

Who can be an NDIS nominee?

NDIS nominee can be: parent or legal guardian (for children under 18), family member (adult child, sibling, spouse), trusted friend or advocate, public guardian or administrator (if appointed by state tribunal), professional advocate or support person (in limited circumstances). Nominee must: be 18+ years, not be paid NDIS provider for participant, act in participant best interests, and have no conflict of interest.

How do I apply to be an NDIS nominee?

To apply as NDIS nominee: (1) complete Nominee Arrangement Request Form (available ndis.gov.au or NDIS portal), (2) participant signs consent (if able to provide informed consent), (3) provide supporting evidence (guardianship order, medical reports, statement of support), (4) submit via NDIS portal, email, or post, (5) NDIA reviews and approves (typically 2-6 weeks). For children under 18, parent/guardian automatically nominee (formal application not always required but recommended).

Does NDIS nominee need to be legal guardian?

No, NDIS nominee does NOT need to be legal guardian. Nominee can be any trusted person participant nominates (with consent) or NDIA appoints if participant cannot consent. Legal guardianship (appointed by state tribunal) automatically qualifies person as NDIS nominee. However, informal nominees (family, friends) can be appointed without guardianship order if participant consents or NDIA determines it is in participant best interest.

What are NDIS nominee responsibilities?

NDIS nominee responsibilities include: acting in participant best interests at all times, consulting with participant on decisions (if able to participate), making plan decisions aligned with participant goals and preferences, managing NDIS communications and admin, attending planning meetings, reviewing and approving service agreements, ensuring supports are delivered appropriately, reporting concerns to NDIS or safeguarding, and keeping participant informed of decisions made on their behalf.

Can NDIS nominee be removed or changed?

Yes, NDIS nominee can be removed or changed if: participant requests change (if they can make informed decision), nominee no longer appropriate (conflict of interest, not acting in best interest), nominee wishes to resign, or NDIA determines change is necessary for participant protection. Submit Nominee Arrangement Request Form to change nominee. NDIA reviews and approves new nominee arrangement. Transition plan ensures no gap in representation.

Do parents automatically become NDIS nominees for children?

Yes, parents or legal guardians are generally considered automatic nominees for children under 18. However, NDIS recommends formal nominee appointment to avoid administrative issues. Formal appointment ensures: both parents can access NDIS portal and communications, clarity about decision-making authority, and smooth transition when child turns 18. Submit Nominee Arrangement Request Form specifying both parents as Plan and Correspondence Nominees (if joint decision-making).

Can I have both Plan Nominee and Correspondence Nominee?

Yes, participant can have both Plan Nominee (makes decisions) and Correspondence Nominee (manages communications) who are different people. Example: Parent is Plan Nominee (makes support decisions), adult child is Correspondence Nominee (manages emails and appointments). This allows separation of decision-making and administrative tasks. Both nominees must coordinate to ensure participant receives appropriate supports and information.

What if NDIS participant has no suitable nominee?

If NDIS participant has no family or friends who can be nominee, options include: Public Guardian or Public Advocate (state-appointed guardian for people without informal supports), professional advocacy service (disability advocate as nominee in limited cases), NDIS can make decisions without nominee if participant has some capacity (supported decision-making), or state tribunal appointment of administrator for financial and NDIS decisions. Contact NDIS for advice on suitable arrangement.

Key Resources for NDIS Nominees

Official NDIS Information:

Nominee Arrangement Request Form: ndis.gov.au/participants/nominee-arrangement
NDIS Decision-Making Support: ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/help-decision-making

State Guardianship Tribunals:

VCAT (Victoria): vcat.vic.gov.au
NCAT (NSW): ncat.nsw.gov.au
QCAT (Queensland): qcat.qld.gov.au
SAT (South Australia): sout.sa.gov.au
WASAT (Western Australia): sat.justice.wa.gov.au

Advocacy and Support:

National Disability Advocacy Program: nidp.org.au
Disability Advocacy Services (by state): Search “disability advocacy [your state]”

Carevo:

Need help with NDIS nominee application? Carevo provides support coordination and advocacy services across Sydney and Melbourne. Call 1800 953 253 for assistance with nominee arrangements and NDIS decision-making support.

NDIS Nominee Application Guide: All Types Explained