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CoAbility

NDIS registered Independent Support Coordination and Recovery Coaching Provider

CoAbility is an independent Support Coordination business in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Founded by Jenine Ellis, an experienced disability professional with a passion for human rights and social justice. CoAbility strives every day to support people to make connections that are right for them and their lifestyle.

05/02/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY: Who should be an "NDIS Provider"?

The rules are changing, and the government is seeking your feedback.

Currently, the definition of an "NDIS Provider" is extremely broad. Technically, it can include anyone who sells a service or product paid for with NDIS funding, even a mainstream shop selling you an iPad.

The new proposal aims to fix this by introducing a "Risk-Proportionate" Model.

What is being proposed? Instead of a "one size fits all" registration, providers would fit into 4 categories based on the risk of the support:

1️⃣ Advanced: For high-risk supports (like group homes) – In-depth registration.
2️⃣ General: For medium-risk supports (like 1:1 community access) – Graduated registration.
3️⃣ Basic: For low-risk supports (limited 1:1 contact) – Light-touch registration.
4️⃣ Purchase Visibility: For mainstream retailers (like buying an iPad or sensory toys) – NO registration required, just visibility in the payment system.

Why does this matter? This definition will determine who you can buy supports from and how much red tape they (and you) have to deal with.

How to give feedback: Everyone is invited to submit feedback in the format that suits them, including:
Video 🎥
Pictures 🖼️
Writing 📝
Or answer the survey questions ✅

Consultation closes: 28 February 2026.

Don't let these decisions be made without you. Check the consultation paper - https://coability.link/bio

01/02/2026

"I asked for a classroom aide for my child, and the Principal said 'No'."

It’s the most frustrating roadblock parents face at this time of year. So, we went straight to the source to find out what is actually going on.

We asked a Victorian Assistant Principal for the "hot tea" ☕️ on school funding.

Her answer changed everything: "We aren't the enemy. We want the funding too. But without the specific data points required by the Department, our hands are tied."

The Secret? In Victoria, the "Disability Inclusion" model isn't based on diagnosis; it's based on the evidence.

If you haven't had a Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) meeting yet, that is your first step. Don't accept a "No" until you ask for this meeting.

Once you are in the meeting, here is the Sledgehammer you need to break through the brick walls - to unlock Tier 3 funding (which pays for Education Support staff), you must provide the data to prove your child needs either:

🔹 3 Extensive Adjustments (e.g., constant safety supervision, full physical assistance with meals or toileting), OR
🔹 8 Substantial Adjustments (e.g., regular social support, frequent verbal prompting or visual schedules to stay on task).

Don't fight the school; arm them.
Your school likely lacks the clinical evidence to tick those boxes. Bring your NDIS reports (OT, Speech, Psych) to the DIP meeting. Show them exactly where the functional gaps are.

When you provide the school with the evidence they need, you help them secure the funding you need.

Need updated reports for your Profile meeting? We can help connect you to the right people.
Reach out for a chat - https://coability.link/bio

Image Description: A carousel of 8 graphics titled "Don't just take no for an answer – Back to School Edition." The slides explain the strategy for securing Tier 3 Disability Inclusion Funding in Victorian schools. It details the "Disability Inclusion Profile" (DIP) meeting and the "3 or 8 Rule," which requires evidence of either 3 Extensive Adjustments (like constant safety supervision or physical assistance) or 8 Substantial Adjustments (like modified curriculum or social support). The slides encourage parents to "Arm the school" with NDIS reports rather than fighting them. The final slide offers support from CoAbility to connect with therapists for evidence gathering.

29/01/2026

🛑 STOP SCROLLING if you are under 65 and on an Aged Care package.

For years, the NDIA has rejected applications from people under 65 simply because they were already accessing an Aged Care package. They argued that if another system could fund you, the NDIS shouldn't.

A new Federal Court decision (Sutherland v NDIA) just proved them wrong.

Why this is a big deal:

1️⃣ The ruling: The Court confirmed that eligibility is about your lifetime need for disability support, not about what other government systems you are currently touching.

2️⃣ The impact: This is massive for Indigenous Australians (who can access Aged Care at 50) and those at risk of homelessness who utilise early Aged Care. You are no longer trapped in a system with capped funding and co-payments.

3️⃣ The precedent: This legally obligates the NDIA to change how they interpret the law.

This is a victory for fair access. If you have been rejected in the past or were afraid to apply, the landscape has changed. It's time to try again.

Let us help you apply. We can assist anyone under 65 with their NDIS application to make sure this new ruling works in your favour.

👉 Contact us today at 1800 262 245 or check us out at https://coability.link/bio

25/01/2026

Today, we pause to reflect.

At CoAbility, we know January 26 holds different meanings for different people in our community.

For many, it is a day to relax and connect with family; for others, specifically our First Nations friends and colleagues, it is a day of deep reflection and sorrow.

As a care provider, our core value is inclusion. That means making space for everyone’s story and ensuring all our participants and staff feel safe, heard, and respected on their own terms.

Today, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we all love, and pay our respects to the oldest continuous living culture in the world.

However you are spending today, look out for one another. 🖤💛❤️

23/01/2026

"Help...my review is in two weeks, and I don't know what to do!" 😱

This is the most common panic call we get from participants looking for support. And unfortunately, 2 weeks often isn't enough time to gather the high-quality evidence you need to increase (or protect) your funding.

A successful Plan Review doesn't happen on the day of the meeting. It happens in the 3 months leading up to it.

We use the 90-Day Rule with our participants:

❇️ 90 Days Out: We chase up all Allied Health providers. Do we need a new Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)? Is the Speech Pathologist recommending more hours? We get those requests in the queue now.

❇️ 60 Days Out: We audit the budget. If you are underspent, we look at why. Did you struggle to find providers? If so, we make sure you are on waiting lists and get written confirmation so we have evidence when we need to explain (so they don't cut your funding).

❇️ 30 Days Out: We work on your script. We draft your new goals, send all evidence to the Planner/LAC before the meeting, and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to go.

The meeting itself should just be a formality. The real work is already done.

This is your sign to stop waiting for the letter. Start planning the strategy today.

Is your review scheduled for 2026? Let’s make sure you are ready.
Link in bio - https://coability.link/bio

20/01/2026

"I sent the invoice, but my Plan Manager refused to pay it! Can they do that?" 🤷🏼‍♀️

Since the NDIS legislation changes in October 2024, the answer is... it depends.

The role of the Plan Manager has shifted. They aren't just "paying the bills" anymore; they are now legally required to be the "Goalkeeper" against non-compliant spending.

But you still have rights. Here is the breakdown of who holds the power:

🛑 If an item is on the official NDIS "List of Non-Supports" (Section 10), your Plan Manager is legally bound to reject it.

Examples: Standard groceries, gaming consoles, rent, or cosmetic treatments.

The Reality: Don't shoot the messenger. If they pay these, they (and you) could face debt recovery action, which is bad enough, but for a Plan Manager, it can have serious consequences on their registration and business.

✅ If the support is NOT on the banned list, but your Plan Manager is hesitating because they "aren't sure," you can push back.

The Reality: If you have a letter from an Allied Health professional linking the purchase to your disability needs and goals, you are the decision maker.

The Takeaway: Your Plan Manager is there to keep you compliant, not to control your life.

🔹 If it's banned: They have to stop it.
🔹 If it's not banned: Provide evidence, tell them to pay and take responsibility for your purchase.

Confused about what is actually allowed in 2026? We help our participants navigate the "Yes," "No," and "Grey" areas every day.

Jump on the link to reach out: https://coability.link/RequestService

19/01/2026

"My Support Coordinator suggested a provider, but do I have to choose them?" 🤨

Let’s clear this up once and for all: NO.

In the NDIS, "Choice and Control" isn't just a catchy slogan; it is your fundamental right.

🚩 The Red Flag: Some large agencies operate as "One Stop Shops." They might pressure you to use their in-house Occupational Therapists, their Cleaners, or their Support Workers. This can sometimes create a "Conflict of Interest" where they prioritise their revenue over your best fit.

🛡️ The CoAbility Standard: We are proudly independent. We don't have a hidden agenda. We don't funnel you into our own services, and we don't have hidden financial arrangements (kickbacks) with other providers for referrals.

Our job is to be your headhunter:
1️⃣ We research the market.
2️⃣ We bring you a shortlist of the best available providers (independent of us).
3️⃣ YOU decide who to work with.

Looking for a team that puts your choice first? We are taking new clients for 2026.

Link in bio to chat: https://coability.link/bio

18/01/2026

"Just sign here, and we can start on Monday!" ✍️

It is tempting to just scribble your signature so you can get the support you need ASAP. But a Service Agreement is a legal contract, and standard clauses can quietly drain thousands of dollars from your plan.

We review hundreds of these a year. Here are the 3 specific traps we always check for (and you should too):

1️⃣ The "Lock-In" Clause

The Trap: "Four weeks' notice is required to end services."

Why it hurts: If a worker turns out to be unreliable or unsafe, you shouldn't have to keep paying them for a month just to leave.

The Fix: Negotiate this down! We recommend 14 days (or even 7 days) for standard supports.

2️⃣ The "Cancellation" Trap

The Trap: "Cancellations require 7 days' notice or a 100% fee applies."

The Rule: The NDIS Pricing Arrangements sets the short-notice cancellation period at 7 clear business days for Support Workers ONLY, and 2 days for other supports. Additionally, the provider can charge a cancellation fee only if they were unable to find "alternative billable work" for the shift/worker.

The Fix: If their policy says 7 days and they are delivering support other than DSW support, or if the agreement doesn't state they will only charge the cancellation fee if they can't replace the shift, they are non-compliant. Ask them to update it to "Match current NDIS Pricing Arrangements."

3️⃣ The "Setup Fee" Confusion

The Trap: A provider delivering services other than Personal Care or Community Access charging a "New Client Setup Fee" or "Monthly Admin Fee."

The Rule: The NDIS only allows a one-off "Establishment Fee" for Personal Care & Community Access providers (and only if you are a new client booking more than 20 hours per month for a minimum of 3 months).

The Fix: Push back. Let them know you know the rules and your rights!

⚠️ Hate reading contracts? We love it.

We review every Service Agreement for our participants to ensure their rights (and budgets) are protected before they pick up a pen.

Hit the link to contact us: https://coability.link/RequestService

15/01/2026

"I haven't heard from my Coordinator in a week, but I see hours on my invoice. WTAF?" 🤨

We believe in total transparency: Support Coordination is a service of action, not just interaction.

While we love chatting with you, the reality is that the most valuable work we do often happens when we are not on the phone.

Just because you don't see it happen doesn't mean it isn't happening (and yes, it is billable).

When we go quiet, it usually means we are:
🔍 Researching options to make your budget stretch further.
📝 Reviewing service agreements to ensure your rights are protected and your goals will be met.
🧩 Solving admin and billing errors so they don't become your problem.

We bill for all of this because the NDIS recognises this "non-face-to-face" support as a critical (and billable) part of our job.

You deserve a Coordinator who works just as hard off the phone as they do on it.

Jump on our bio for all our contact details:
https://coability.link/bio

13/01/2026

"But I told them my story! Why didn't they listen?" 😔

We hear this often, and it’s the most challenging part of the NDIS.

The reality is, most Planners do care. But they are bound by legislation that runs on data, not emotion. They may very well want to approve your funding, but they need a strong paper trail to justify their decisions.

Think of your evidence as a 'Translation' tool.

You know your lived experience, and nobody is doubting it. But the trick is translating your lived experience into the "Functional Evidence" that the NDIS Act requires before funding can be approved.

🔹 Context is good: A letter from a family member gives the planner the background "vibe."
🔹 Data is better: A report from an Allied Health professional gives the planner the "paper trail" they need to click Approve.

The good news is, you don't have to become a data analyst. That's what a great Support Coordinator is for. We help you gather the specific reports that turn your lived experience and real-life needs into tick-box approvals.

Want to know exactly what reports you need for your next review?

Jump on the link in our bio for all our contact details. We'd love to have a chat!

ID: A graphic titled "How to help your Planner say 'Yes'". It features a comparison checklist showing how to translate personal feelings into NDIS-approved evidence.
A table lists "The Reality" on the left and "The Evidence" on the right:
Reality: "I am exhausted and struggling." → Evidence: OT Functional Capacity Assessment.
Reality: "I really need this specific therapy." → Evidence: Report linking request to specific Goals.
Reality: "This will change my life." → Evidence: Risk Assessment of not funding it.
Reality: "It isn't safe for me to be alone." → Evidence: Incident Logs & BSP.
Reality: "This device makes things easier." → Evidence: Cost comparison (Device vs. Support).
The CoAbility logo is at the top.

07/01/2026

It sounds like semantics. But it’s actually strategy. 💡

To the average person, the sentences in this video might sound like the exact same thing.

But to an NDIS Planner? One is a decline. The other is an approval.

"What's the difference?"

The NDIS is an insurance scheme, not a welfare system. It operates on specific criteria like Functional Capacity, Economic Participation, and Sustainability of Supports.

If you ask for something based on what you want, the answer is usually no.

If you ask for something based on the barrier your disability creates, the answer is often yes—provided the request also meets the strict Section 10 rules and represents Value for Money.

A huge part of our job as Support Coordinators is understanding this nuance. We ensure your request ticks all the legislative boxes, not just the emotional ones.

🎥 Watch the clip below to see the difference in action. (💡 Pro Tip: Hit PAUSE to read the examples!)

Does your current team help you articulate your needs like this?

We have opened up capacity for new participants in 2026.

👇 Comment "NDIS-SPEAK" below and we’ll DM you the link to start the process.

(Or if you prefer, you can get our Service Request directly here: https://coability.link/RequestService, and we will give you a call once we receive it.)

06/01/2026

Are you getting the support you pay for? Or is your Support Coordination budget just funding an overpriced admin assistant? 🤔

Since the legislation changes in October 2024, the role of a Support Coordinator has never been more critical. The rules have tightened, and the "grey areas" are disappearing.

A lot of people think our job is just to "book appointments." But in this new landscape, if that is all your coordinator is doing, you are at risk.

A high-quality Support Coordinator is a strategist who understands the new Act, the Lists, and how to protect your funding.

Here are 4 "Green Flags" that show your SC is up to speed with the new NDIS:

🟢 1. They speak "Section 10" fluently. The new legislation introduced strict lists of what is (and isn't) an NDIS Support. A good SC doesn't guess. They know exactly how to navigate the "In and Out" lists to ensure your spending is compliant so you don't get hit with a debt later.

🟢 2. They focus on Capacity Building. A great SC works themselves out of a job. We don't want you dependent on us forever. We teach you how to use the portal, how to check invoices, and how to advocate for yourself under the new framework.

🟢 3. They prep for Reassessments, not just "Reviews." Under the new rules, evidence is everything. We don't wait for the NDIS to call. We start gathering the specific functional evidence required to justify your budget needs months in advance.

🟢 4. They look outside the "NDIS Bubble." Your life is bigger than your plan. We connect you with mainstream health, council, and community services to make your funding go further.

Does your current support team tick these boxes?

We have opened up capacity for participants who want proactive, strategic support in 2026.

👇 Comment "GREEN FLAG" below and we’ll DM you the link to start the process.

ID: A carousel of 6 educational slides with a soft pink border and CoAbility branding.
Slide 1: Title "GREEN FLAGS" with the text "Does your team tick all of these boxes?"
Slide 2: "They speak 'Section 10' fluently." A green seal badge sits in the corner.
Slide 3: "They focus on Capacity Building."
Slide 4: "They prep early for Reassessments" with a sticker reading "Facts Over Feelings."
Slide 5: "They look outside the 'NDIS bubble.'"
Slide 6: "Ready for an upgrade?" with a call to action to comment "GREEN FLAG".

Address

36-38 Gipps Street/Suite 8, VIC
Collingwood, NSW
3066

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800262245

Website

http://www.coability.com.au/

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Our Story

CoAbility is an independent Support Coordination business with a Head Office in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It was established in the middle of 2017 as a direct result of the need for independent Support Coordination providers in Victoria. We have a team of Support Coordinators who cover the whole state. At CoAbility we believe that quality, independent Support Coordination can vastly improve a participants NDIS journey. By connecting our clients with carefully chosen support providers who fit with their needs, we are building genuinely authentic connections with excellent results across the board.