NDIS Plan Nominee Explained: Types, Duties and How to Appoint One in 2026

If making decisions about your NDIS plan is difficult, even with support, you may benefit from an NDIS plan nominee. A plan nominee is someone the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) appoints to make decisions and act on your behalf. They can help prepare or change your plan and manage your funding.

But the rules around NDIS plan nominees are often misunderstood. There are two types of nominees, rules about who can be appointed, duties nominees must follow, and limits on what they can do. Getting this wrong can leave you, or the person you care about, without the right support.

In this guide, we explain NDIS plan nominees in plain language, using the NDIA’s current guideline on appointing a nominee and its page on the new NDIS laws.

What Is an NDIS Plan Nominee?

A nominee is a person the NDIA appoints to make decisions and do things on behalf of an NDIS participant. The NDIA’s guideline puts it this way:

“If you’re not able to make decisions, even with support, we’ll explore who else can make decisions and do things on your behalf. We call this representative decision-making, and we call this person a nominee. The role of a nominee is voluntary, which means they don’t get paid.”

Source: NDIA guideline, Appointing a nominee

Key facts about nominees:

• Voluntary and unpaid: nominees are not paid for this role
• For participants 18 and over: participants younger than 18 have a child representative instead, usually a parent or guardian
• A last resort: the NDIA starts from the principle that you can make your own decisions, with support if needed
• Different to a guardian: a guardian is appointed under state or territory law; a nominee is appointed by the NDIA under the NDIS laws
• Different to a support person: a support person helps you decide; a nominee can decide for you

The Two Types of NDIS Nominees

The NDIA recognises two types of nominees: plan nominees and correspondence nominees. Knowing which one you need matters.

The NDIA also says there are some decisions you need to make yourself, such as the goals you want to pursue and which providers you want to use.

Plan Nominee: Decisions About Your Plan and Funding

A plan nominee can make decisions about:

• Planning: preparing or changing your plan
• Funding: managing and using your funding on NDIS supports

A plan nominee can be appointed to do either or both of these things. They receive notices about the use of your funding, and about the preparation or change of your plan. Since the new NDIS laws, a plan nominee is also one of the people who can ask for a plan reassessment before the scheduled date, when there is a significant and ongoing change in your situation.

Correspondence Nominee: Information and Notices

A correspondence nominee has a narrower role. They can:

• Ask the NDIA for information about you, or for you
• Receive letters and notices from the NDIA about you, or for you
• Make some decisions about your business with the NDIS, not including a plan nominee’s decisions

They cannot prepare or change your plan, or manage your funding. If you need someone to do that, you may need a plan nominee. If the NDIA asks a correspondence nominee to do something on your behalf, they must respond.

Can I Have Both?

Yes. You can have:

• A plan nominee only
• A correspondence nominee only
• The same person as both
• One person as plan nominee and a different person as correspondence nominee
• More than one plan nominee, each responsible for different decisions

Important rule: if you have more than one plan nominee, only one of them can manage the funding in your plan.

Nominees vs Child Representatives vs Guardians

This is where confusion is common. Here is how the roles differ:

A guardian is not automatically an NDIS nominee. If you already have a legally appointed decision-maker, such as a guardian or someone you appointed yourself, the NDIA discusses the decisions they already help you with. If those are similar to the decisions you need to make in the NDIS, the NDIA usually appoints them as your nominee, but only if they agree in writing.

Who Can Be an NDIS Plan Nominee?

There are laws and rules the NDIA must apply when deciding who can be your nominee.

Who Can Be a Nominee

• A family member or friend, especially someone who has always supported you to make decisions
• A legally appointed decision-maker, such as a guardian
• A body corporate (an organisation or company), which must name the person who will act on your behalf

Who Cannot Be a Nominee

• A person under the age of 18
• The NDIA itself (though someone who works for the NDIA could be your nominee because of a personal relationship, for example a family member or friend)
• Anyone who has not agreed in writing: the NDIA cannot appoint a nominee unless they agree in writing

What the NDIA Checks

Before appointing someone as your nominee, the NDIA asks you and the proposed nominee questions, including whether:

• No one has pressured you to appoint them
• They have a conflict of interest, for example if they are also one of your providers
• They have given written consent, and are willing and able to do the role
• Other people who support you think they would be a good representative
• They have any convictions that would make them unsuitable
• They are sensitive to your cultural and language background
• They can work with your communication system and other supports, including technology

Duties of an NDIS Plan Nominee

This is not a passive role. Nominees have duties to you and to the NDIA, whether you asked for them or the NDIA appointed them.

Duties to You as the Participant

• Act in your best interests
• Try to support you to make decisions yourself
• Try to find out what you want to happen, and if you cannot communicate it, work out what you would want, for example by looking back on decisions you have made
• Support your personal and social wellbeing
• Help you build your decision-making skills, if possible to the point where you no longer need a nominee

Duties to the NDIA

• Only act when it is needed: a plan nominee appointed at your request can act only if they believe you cannot do something, even with support, or you do not want to do it yourself
• Talk with other people in your life, such as other plan nominees, a court-appointed decision-maker or a carer, about anything they are thinking of doing on your behalf
• Tell the NDIA about any conflict of interest, and avoid or manage it
• Respond to NDIA notices, including telling the NDIA about changes that affect their ability to be your nominee
• Account for your funding: if the NDIA asks a plan nominee for a statement of how your funds were used, they must give it. The new NDIS laws will also set how long nominees keep records of supports and payments: 5 years

What a Nominee Must Not Do

• Act without trying to find out your wishes
• Make a decision for you that you can make, and want to make, yourself
• Ignore an NDIA notice asking how your funding was used: without a reasonable excuse, that is a criminal offence
• Ignore a conflict of interest
• Act beyond the limits in their appointment

How to Appoint an NDIS Plan Nominee (Step by Step)

If you decide a nominee is right for you, this is how the process works:

Step 1: Think Carefully About Who

The NDIA suggests asking yourself whether the person:

• Is able and willing to carry out the duties of a nominee
• Is someone you trust
• Will support your personal and social wellbeing
• Has the skills to support you
• Will help you make decisions and build your decision-making skills
• Is able and willing to give written consent

Step 2: Contact the NDIA

Contact the NDIA, your local area coordinator (LAC) or your planner and ask for a nominee to be appointed. You can write or tell them. You’ll need to give the proposed nominee’s name and contact details. A family member, carer or friend who thinks you need a nominee can also contact the NDIA to discuss it. The NDIA’s phone number is 1800 800 110.

The NDIA’s guideline does not ask you to fill in a nominee application form for this step: a written or spoken request is enough. The NDIA can only appoint a nominee once you are an NDIS participant. While you are still applying, a guardian or a support person can help you make decisions instead. The nominee form and consent form section below explains which paperwork is involved.

Step 3: The NDIA’s Assessment

The NDIA will:

• Ask your proposed nominee for proof of identity, if it does not already have it
• Ask you and the proposed nominee questions to check they are the right person
• Check for pressure and conflicts of interest
• Talk with your carers and other people who support you
• Ask you what consent you want to give your nominee, meaning what you want them to see and do on your behalf
• Send your proposed nominee a letter explaining the duties, which they must respond to, consenting in writing

Step 4: Decide How Long For

A nominee can be appointed:

• For a set period, for example 6 months, or until an event such as your next plan reassessment
• Indefinitely

The NDIA says a set period can be good while you are building your decision-making skills. If the appointment is for a set period, the NDIA notifies you and your nominee in writing before it ends.

Step 5: The Formal Appointment

If the NDIA approves your proposed nominee, it sends you and the nominee an instrument of nominee appointment. It sets out who has been appointed, what type of nominee they are, what they can’t do, and how long the appointment lasts. Anyone directly affected can ask for an internal review of the decision.

NDIS Plan Nominee Form and Nominee Consent Form

Two pieces of paperwork are often mixed up: the consent a person gives to become your nominee, and the NDIA’s general consent form. They do different jobs.

Is There an NDIS Plan Nominee Form?

The NDIA’s guideline on appointing a nominee and its What is a nominee page do not list an application form for appointing a plan nominee or a correspondence nominee. The request itself can be written or spoken, and the NDIA says it will ask who you want as your nominee in whatever way you express your wishes, for example verbally, in writing, in a non-verbal way, or through a support person. The steps, and the paperwork the NDIA sends, are:

1. Your request: you, or someone who supports you, contacts the NDIA, your LAC or your planner with the proposed nominee’s name and contact details
2. The letter to your proposed nominee: the NDIA writes to them explaining the duties of a nominee
3. Their written consent: your proposed nominee replies to that letter, consenting to be your nominee
4. The instrument of nominee appointment: if the NDIA approves the appointment, it sends a copy to you and a copy to your nominee

The Nominee Consent: Your Nominee Agrees in Writing

The consent the law requires before an appointment comes from the person who will be your nominee. Under section 88 of the NDIS Act, the NDIA must not appoint a plan nominee or a correspondence nominee except with the written consent of the person being appointed, and after taking into account your wishes about the appointment. This applies to a guardian or another legally appointed decision-maker too: the NDIA cannot appoint them as your nominee unless they agree in writing.

The guideline describes this consent as your proposed nominee’s reply to the NDIA’s letter about the duties of a nominee. The NDIA’s nominee guideline and pages do not list a separate nominee consent form to download, so the person you have chosen should wait for that letter, read the duties carefully, and reply in writing as it asks.

The NDIS Consent Form: Consent for Your NDIS Information

The form the NDIA does publish is the Consent for your NDIS information form (PDF), available with a Word version on the NDIA’s How to give consent page. It is not a nominee appointment form. It records your permission for:

• the NDIA to share your NDIS information with a person or organisation you choose
• a person or organisation (a third party) to do things for you with the NDIS

The NDIA calls this express consent. It is different to a nominee because the person you give consent to can’t make decisions for you like a nominee can. The form’s own example is consent for a family member to view your current plan and submit a home modification request for you.

The form can be completed by an applicant, a participant, a child representative or plan nominee for the participant, or a legally appointed decision maker for an applicant. It has six parts:

• Part A: the applicant’s or participant’s details
• Part B: the details of a child representative, plan nominee or legally appointed decision maker, if one is completing the form
• Part C: the person or organisation you are giving consent to, completed separately for each one (an organisation is limited to 2 key contacts)
• Part D: the types of consent, such as which information can be shared and what they can do or change for you
• Part E: how long the consent lasts: one time only, until a set date, or ongoing
• Part F: the declaration, signed by whoever completes the form

You can return the completed form by email if you are an applicant, through the NDIA’s service hub if you are a participant, by mail to NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, or by visiting an NDIS office. You don’t have to use the form at all: you can give consent by calling 1800 800 110, through the service hub, or in person. You can take your consent away at any time.

Nominee Consent vs the NDIS Consent Form

The NDIA treats a nominee as a last resort. If you want someone to talk to the NDIA with you or for you, and you can still make your own decisions with support, express consent, through the form or another way, is the option to consider first. If you can’t make decisions about your NDIS business even with support, or don’t want to, ask the NDIA about a nominee.

When Does a Nominee Role End?

Nominee appointments can end in several ways:

• The set period ends, if the appointment was for a set period
• You ask for it to end: if the nominee was appointed at your request, the NDIA will change or cancel the nominee when you ask. If the NDIA appointed them on its own initiative, it must decide within 14 days
• The nominee steps down: the NDIA must cancel the appointment if the nominee writes to say they no longer want the role
• The NDIA cancels it, for example if the nominee does not comply with their duties or a notice, or can no longer fulfil the role

The NDIA may also suspend a nominee if it is reasonable to believe the nominee has caused, or is likely to cause, you physical, mental or financial harm. The nominee is then asked for a statement within 28 days, and cannot act for you while the NDIA decides.

When Would You Actually Need a Plan Nominee?

The NDIA’s starting position is that you can make your own decisions, with support if needed. Nominees are a last resort. The NDIA says you might need a nominee if:

• It’s very difficult or impossible for you to make important decisions that affect your life
• You need a lot of help from someone else to work with the NDIA on decisions about your NDIS business
• You need support to work out what decisions might be best for your personal and social wellbeing
• You need a lot of help to develop, understand or manage your plan
• You find it hard to work out or think about the information you need when making decisions

If you’re unsure, talk to your support coordinator, an independent advocate, or the NDIA directly. There are other options worth considering first.

Alternatives to a Nominee

Before appointing a nominee, consider these less formal options:

1. A Support Person

A family member, friend or advocate can attend NDIS meetings with you and help you explain your needs, without taking over decision-making.

2. Express Consent

You can give the NDIA express consent to discuss and share information about your NDIS business with other people. You can use an NDIS consent form, or tell the NDIA verbally, in writing, or in another way you communicate. This keeps decision-making with you.

3. Supported Decision-Making

The NDIA may be able to fund supports in your plan to help you build decision-making skills, if they meet the NDIS funding criteria. Learn more about NDIS funding.

4. Advocacy

Independent disability advocates can represent your views without replacing you as the decision-maker.

5. Support Coordination

A support coordinator can help you understand and use your plan, connect with providers, and build your confidence over time.

Common Misunderstandings About Plan Nominees

Myth: A Plan Nominee Gets Paid

False. The NDIA says the role of a nominee is voluntary, which means they don’t get paid.

Myth: A Guardian Is Automatically an NDIS Nominee

False. Guardians and nominees are separate roles. If a guardian already makes similar decisions for you, the NDIA usually appoints them as your nominee, but they must agree in writing and the NDIA makes the appointment.

Myth: My Power of Attorney Can Act for Me on the NDIS

Not automatically. A power of attorney does not by itself give someone NDIS decision-making authority. The NDIA would still need to appoint them as your nominee, and they would still need to comply with state or territory law.

Myth: A Service Provider Can Be My Nominee Without Any Checks

False. The NDIA checks for conflicts of interest, for example where a proposed nominee is also one of your providers. A nominee must tell the NDIA about any conflict of interest, and avoid or manage it.

Myth: Once Appointed, a Nominee Is There Forever

False. Appointments can be for a set period, and if your nominee was appointed at your request, the NDIA will cancel or change them when you ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a plan nominee and a correspondence nominee?

A plan nominee can make decisions about preparing and changing your plan, and managing your funding. A correspondence nominee can ask for information, receive letters and notices, and make some decisions about your NDIS business, but can’t prepare or change your plan or manage your funding.

Is there an NDIS plan nominee form?

The NDIA’s nominee guideline and What is a nominee page do not list an application form for appointing a nominee. You ask the NDIA, your local area coordinator or your planner, in writing or by telling them, and give the proposed nominee’s name and contact details. The NDIA then writes to your proposed nominee, who must consent in writing before they can be appointed.

What is the NDIS nominee consent form?

People usually mean one of two things. The consent to be a nominee is your proposed nominee’s written reply to the NDIA’s letter about nominee duties, which section 88 of the NDIS Act requires before any appointment. The NDIA’s Consent for your NDIS information form is separate: it lets you, or someone completing it for you such as a plan nominee, give someone else permission to receive your NDIS information or do things for you with the NDIS, without making them a nominee.

Does a plan nominee get paid?

No. The NDIA says the role of a nominee is voluntary.

Can a family member be my plan nominee?

Yes. The NDIA says that if a family member or friend has always supported you to make decisions, you might want them to be your nominee. It will check that you haven’t been pressured and whether there is a conflict of interest.

Can my NDIS service provider be my nominee?

The NDIA checks for a conflict of interest when a proposed nominee is also one of your providers. Any nominee must tell the NDIA about a conflict of interest, and avoid or manage it.

Can a child under 18 have a nominee?

No. Nominees are for participants aged 18 and over. Participants younger than 18 have child representatives, usually a parent or guardian.

How do I cancel a plan nominee?

Contact the NDIA (1800 800 110). If the nominee was appointed at your request, the NDIA will cancel or change the nominee when you ask. If the NDIA appointed them on its own initiative, it must decide within 14 days. You can also talk to your support coordinator, local area coordinator or planner.

Is a guardian the same as a plan nominee?

No. Guardians are appointed under state or territory law. Nominees are appointed by the NDIA under the NDIS laws. The same person can be both, but they must agree in writing to be your nominee and be appointed by the NDIA.

Can a plan nominee make ALL decisions for me?

No. You can ask the NDIA to limit what your plan nominee can do, and the NDIA can also set limits. The NDIA’s own example is that you might decide your goals yourself but want your plan nominee to help manage your funding. A nominee’s role is also to help you build your decision-making skills.

How Centre of Hope Can Help

Deciding whether to appoint an NDIS plan nominee, and who, is a significant decision. Centre of Hope is a registered NDIS provider, and through support coordination we help participants across Western Sydney and NSW:

• Understand your options, including alternatives to a nominee
• Build decision-making skills through supports in your plan
• Work alongside your nominee, if you have one
• Connect with independent advocates when you need impartial support
• Prepare for the nominee appointment process, helping you express your wishes
• Review nominee arrangements at plan reassessments

Whether you need a nominee, want to explore alternatives, or simply need help understanding your options, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Your goals. Your plan. Our support.

📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
📝 Refer: Submit a referral

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice or personal advice about your plan. It is current as at 7 October 2026, and reflects the NDIA guideline Appointing a nominee (7 September 2026), the NDIA page What is a nominee (current as of 10 August 2026), the NDIA page How to give consent (current as of 10 September 2026) and its Consent for your NDIS information form, the NDIA page Securing the NDIS for future generations (current as of 1 October 2026), and section 88 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (compilation of 19 September 2026). The record keeping period for nominees is a change the NDIA says is coming; check the NDIA for its start date. Rules change, so confirm with the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or at ndis.gov.au. For advice about your situation, speak with your support coordinator or an independent advocate. For legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer.