Re.Connect Support Services focuses on addressing medical needs.

Quick Answer

Complex NDIS support refers to specialised assistance for participants who need specialised care with complex health needs, chronic medical conditions, or disabilities that require high intensity support, medical tasks, behavioural management and coordinated care. It involves a multi disciplinary team of allied health professionals, support workers, medical specialists and other providers working together to deliver a personalised complex care plan that helps participants live independently, safely and confidently.
Learn more from the NDIS: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants

Key Takeaways

• Complex NDIS support is designed for participants with high medical, behavioural or clinical needs.
• A personalised complex care plan is essential to coordinate care across multiple services.
• Support is delivered by trained support workers, allied health professionals and medical specialists.
• Services may include high intensity care, mental health support, daily living assistance and assistive technology.
• A support coordinator or specialist support coordination team plays a key role in navigating the system and managing funding.
• Choosing the right complex care provider helps ensure safe, high quality care.

NDIS complex care is an advanced level of support designed for participants who require more than basic care, often in consultation with an ndis planner . It supports people with complex needs, including chronic health conditions, significant mobility challenges, behavioural complexities and specialised medical tasks. Through the NDIS, participants can access complex care services that help them manage their day to day life with the right balance of safety, dignity and independence.

Complex care often involves multiple services working together to ensure the right support is provided . This may include:

• Allied health professionals
• Occupational therapists
• Speech therapists
• Support workers
• Medical specialists
• Social workers
• Behaviour clinicians

The purpose of complex support is to create a supportive environment where individuals can thrive, participate in the community and achieve meaningful goals.

Participants needing complex support usually require assistance across several areas, including personal care, behavioural support, and specialised medical support tasks. Some common indicators of complex needs include:

• Chronic health conditions
• Respiratory support needs
• Tracheostomy care
• Wound care
• PEG feeding
• Seizure management
• Catheter care
• Medication management
• Challenging behaviours
• Complex communication needs

NDIS participants with these needs often require high intensity support delivered by trained professionals to ensure safety and quality of life. Understanding the depth of these needs helps create an effective support pathway that reflects the individual’s goals and medical requirements for their daily life .

A thorough assessment is the foundation of complex NDIS support. This assessment identifies the support required in areas such as daily living tasks, communication, mental health, mobility, and clinical care.

A support coordinator works closely with the participant to complete this assessment, sometimes involving additional specialists. The process may include:

• Reviewing chronic health conditions and existing diagnoses
• Assessing high intensity care needs
• Evaluating living environments and safety requirements
• Reviewing mental health conditions and behavioural concerns
• Identifying communication needs and assistive technology
• Collecting clinical recommendations from other specialists

This assessment ensures participants receive specialised support that aligns with their unique needs. It also guides the creation of a detailed, personalised complex care plan.

For more on high intensity supports: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-provider/high-intensity-daily-personal-activities

A personalised complex care plan outlines everything a participant needs to live safely and confidently. It serves as a roadmap for support workers, allied health professionals and medical specialists involved in delivering daily care.

A strong care plan includes essential elements such as medication management :

• The participant’s goals
• Daily living tasks and personal care
• Specialist support coordination
• High intensity support requirements
• Clinical recommendations
• Assistive technology and home modifications
• Mental health strategies
• Links to other services
• Crisis response and safety planning

The care plan is updated regularly during a plan review, ensuring it remains relevant as the participant’s needs and goals evolve.

Selecting the right complex care provider is essential for ensuring safe and effective support. A high quality provider offers:

• Extensive experience supporting people with complex needs
• A trained and qualified multidisciplinary team
• Support workers skilled in high intensity tasks
• Person centred, trauma informed support practices
• Clear communication with families and multiple providers
• Systems that comply with NDIS Practice Standards
• Capacity to coordinate medical tasks and behavioural support

A registered provider can provide specialised support for participants who require medical tasks or high intensity care, ensuring safety and peace of mind.

Searching for NDIS registered providers: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-service-providers/find-registered-provider – Learn more about NDIS disability employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Your NDIS plan determines the types of support you can access. Participants with complex needs may receive funding under:

• Core supports
• Capacity building
• Improved Daily Living
• High intensity support
• Specialist support coordination
• Supported independent living
• Specialist disability accommodation

NDIS funding can be used for:

• Personal care
• Daily living tasks
• High intensity medical tasks
• Mental health support
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Assistive technology
• Behaviour support
• Complex support coordination
• Medical appointments and allied health
• Supported accommodation

A support coordinator helps participants navigate their NDIS funding, ensuring the plan is used effectively and appropriately to provide specialised support meet all support needs.

More about funded supports:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis

Mental Health Support in Complex Care

Mental health is a vital part of complex support, often involving occupational therapists . Many participants with complex needs experience mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma or behavioural challenges.

NDIS mental health supports may include:

• Psychology
• Counselling
• Behaviour support
• Occupational therapy for emotional regulation
• Social work services

Mental health support improves confidence, communication, community participation and overall wellbeing. It is an essential element of any high quality complex care plan.

Australian mental health resources: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/mental-health. Learn more about how support for mental health can transform your wellness in Australia.

Daily Support and Care for Complex Needs

Daily support helps participants manage the routine parts of day to day life, including personal care, hygiene, catheter care mobility, communication, household tasks and social activities. Trained support workers deliver essential services such as:

• Showering and grooming
• Dressing and toileting
• Meal preparation
• Household management
• Community access
• Medication reminders
• Assistance with mobility aids

For individuals with complex health needs, support workers may also assist with:

• PEG feeding
• Tracheostomy care
• Seizure management
• Wound care
• Restrictive practices compliance
• Challenging behaviours
• High intensity care

These supports may be delivered at home, in supported independent living, supported accommodation or specialist disability accommodation, depending on the participant’s needs and preferences.

NDIS Complex Support Services

NDIS complex support includes a wide range of complex care services designed to support participants living with medical conditions, behavioural complexities and multiple support needs. These services include:

• High intensity personal care
• Complex behavioural support
• Specialist support coordination
• Allied health services
• Medical support and monitoring
• Assistive technology assessments
• Support during hospital discharge
• Community participation supports
• Aged care transition support
• Communication and speech therapy

These services aim to provide participants with more support, greater independence, and a higher quality of life.

Independent Living and Long Term Support

Many NDIS participants aspire to live independently. With the right supports in place, this is absolutely achievable. Independent living supports help participants:

• Build skills for daily life
• Manage day to day tasks
• Communicate effectively
• Participate in community activities
• Make personal choices
• Maintain safety
• Access multiple services
• Strengthen confidence

Support can be delivered across different living arrangements, including shared homes, private residences, supported independent living and specialist disability accommodation.

These complex care services empower participants to shape their future, strengthen independence and enjoy meaningful participation in their communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is complex NDIS support?

Complex NDIS support refers to specialised assistance for participants with high medical, behavioural or clinical needs requiring coordinated care, often identified in ndis complex care .

Who delivers complex care?

A multi disciplinary team of support workers, allied health professionals, medical specialists and behaviour clinicians.

Does NDIS fund complex care?

Yes. The NDIS funds complex care under core supports, capacity building and high intensity support categories.

What is specialist support coordination?

It is a higher level of support coordination for participants with multiple providers, high risks or complex support needs.

Can mental health conditions be part of complex care?

Yes. Mental health support is often included when participants experience conditions such as anxiety, depression or trauma. These are items providing supports for those who are having mental health conditions,

Final Thoughts

Navigating complex NDIS support can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance and a trusted provider, participants can live safely, confidently and independently. Re.Connect Support Services is committed to providing high quality care, personalised support and specialised assistance that empowers every individual to thrive.