Key Takeaways

• Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is a funded NDIS support for people whose primary disability comes from a mental health condition
• It sits in the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan, not your Core Supports
• It is different from Support Coordination, but you can have both on your plan at the same time
• You do not need to be in crisis or living in supported accommodation to access it
• If it is not on your plan yet, you can request it at your next plan review
• BB Disability & Mental Health Services delivers Psychosocial Recovery Coaching across Wollongong, Dapto, Shellharbour, Nowra, Kiama, Moss Vale, and the wider Illawarra and Shoalhaven

If you are living with a mental health condition and you are on the NDIS, Psychosocial Recovery Coaching might be one of the most useful supports you are not yet using. It sits in the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan, it is specifically designed for people with psychosocial disability, and it is available right across Wollongong, Dapto, Shellharbour, Nowra, Kiama, Moss Vale, and the broader Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.

BB Disability & Mental Health Services is a registered NDIS provider with a leadership team trained in mental health nursing and mental health social work. We have supported 150+ participants across the region, and we know this space inside out. If you have been wondering whether recovery coaching belongs on your plan, this page gives you a straight answer.

Psychosocial Recovery Coaching and the NDIS

Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is a funded NDIS support for people whose primary disability is psychosocial, meaning it comes from a mental health condition. The NDIS introduced it in 2020 as a dedicated Capacity Building support, separate from general disability services and separate from Support Coordination.

It is not crisis support. It is not therapy. It is practical, ongoing guidance from someone who understands mental health recovery and the NDIS, working with you over time to build skills, routines, and confidence. Think of it as having a knowledgeable person in your corner who helps you move forward at your own pace.

Eligibility for Psychosocial Recovery Coaching

To access this support, it needs to be funded in your NDIS plan. It is generally available to participants whose primary disability is psychosocial. That can include conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, and severe anxiety, where those conditions create a significant and lasting impact on daily life.

If you already have an NDIS plan and you are not sure whether recovery coaching is included, check your plan document or speak with your Support Coordinator. If it is not there yet, you can request it at your next plan review. Our Support Coordination team across Wollongong and the Illawarra can walk you through exactly how to make that request, including what supporting evidence to gather from your GP or mental health team.

The Difference Between Recovery Coaching and Support Coordination

This is the question we hear most often, and it deserves a clear answer.

Support Coordination helps you understand your NDIS plan, connect with the right providers, and get your funded support running. It is plan-focused. A Support Coordinator works on the mechanics of your plan so everything is in place and working properly.

Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is person-focused. Your Recovery Coach works closely with you on your recovery, your goals, and your daily life. They help you build the skills and confidence to manage more independently over time. The relationship is ongoing and built on real trust.

You can have both on your NDIS plan at the same time. For many people living with psychosocial disability, having Support Coordination alongside Recovery Coaching gives them the strongest foundation. One manages the plan. The other walks with you through recovery. If you want to understand which one you need first, our team can help you work that out. Get in touch here.

The Day-to-Day Role of a Psychosocial Recovery Coach

The work looks different for everyone because recovery looks different for everyone. A Recovery Coach at BB Disability & Mental Health Services might work with you on building a daily routine that supports your mental health. They might help you prepare for a plan review so your funding reflects where you are now. They can work through barriers that are stopping you from getting out into your community, or help you communicate more clearly with other providers and health professionals. They support you to set goals that are genuinely yours and actually reachable.

Your Recovery Coach gets to know you, your history, your strengths, and what matters to you. Then they work with you, not for you. That distinction matters more than it might sound.

If community participation is part of your recovery goals, BB Disability & Mental Health Services also runs Community Access and Activities across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Your Recovery Coach and your community support can work hand in hand.

Recovery Coaching and Independent Living in the Illawarra

Recovery Coaching is not about moving into supported accommodation. It is about building the skills and support you need to live the life you want, whether that is in your own home, with family, or in a supported living arrangement. Many people across Wollongong, Dapto, Nowra, and Shellharbour access recovery coaching while living fully independently.

If you are starting to think about your housing options, BB Disability & Mental Health Services offers Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, with new homes coming online in 2026. Your Recovery Coach can help you think through what a housing transition might look like and what questions to ask before you get there.

The Research Behind Recovery Coaching

Recovery-oriented practice has strong backing in mental health research. The evidence consistently shows that people with psychosocial disability do better when their support is built around their own goals, strengths, and pace, rather than a fixed program applied from the outside.

The NDIS introduced Psychosocial Recovery Coaching specifically because the sector recognised that standard support coordination was not always the right fit for people navigating mental health recovery. A dedicated role, with a recovery focus, produces better outcomes for a lot of people.

BB Disability & Mental Health Services has supported 150+ participants across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, many with psychosocial disability as their primary NDIS diagnosis. Our team’s background in mental health nursing and social work means we bring real clinical understanding to this work. We were recognised with the Health Improvement Award 2025, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Steps to Add Recovery Coaching to Your NDIS Plan

If recovery coaching is not yet on your plan, here are the steps to get it included.

Speak with your Support Coordinator about requesting it at your next plan review. Ask your GP, psychiatrist, or mental health team to provide supporting evidence of your psychosocial disability and how recovery coaching would help your daily functioning. If your circumstances have changed and your current plan no longer fits, contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110 to request an unscheduled plan review.

Not sure where to start? That is exactly what our team is here for. Reach out to BB Disability & Mental Health Services and we will help you figure out the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Psychosocial Recovery Coaching the same as mental health counselling?

No. Psychosocial Recovery Coaching is not a clinical or therapeutic service. A Recovery Coach is not a counsellor or psychologist. Their role is to work alongside you on your recovery goals, build your capacity for independent living, and help you get more from your NDIS plan. If you need clinical mental health support, your Recovery Coach can help connect you with the right services as part of your overall support network.

How many hours of Psychosocial Recovery Coaching can I get on my NDIS plan?

The number of hours funded varies from plan to plan depending on your individual needs and goals. Your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator will determine the level of funding based on the supporting evidence provided. Our Support Coordination team can help you understand what to ask for at your plan review.

Can I choose my own Psychosocial Recovery Coach?

Yes. As an NDIS participant, you have the right to choose your own registered provider. BB Disability & Mental Health Services is a registered NDIS provider (registration number 4050098162) delivering Psychosocial Recovery Coaching across Wollongong, Dapto, Shellharbour, Nowra, Kiama, Moss Vale, and the broader Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

What is the difference between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and a Support Worker?

A Support Worker helps you with day-to-day tasks and activities, often in a direct hands-on way. A Psychosocial Recovery Coach works with you on a higher level, focusing on your recovery journey, your goals, and building your long-term capacity. They are two different types of support that can work well alongside each other. If you want to understand how in-home support and recovery coaching can fit together on your plan, we are happy to talk that through.

Do I need a mental health diagnosis to access Psychosocial Recovery Coaching?

You need a confirmed psychosocial disability that has been accepted by the NDIS as your primary disability. This is usually supported by evidence from a psychiatrist, GP, or mental health professional. The diagnosis alone is not enough. The NDIS needs to see that your condition creates a significant and lasting functional impact on your daily life.

Can a family member or carer request Psychosocial Recovery Coaching on behalf of a participant?

Yes. A family member, carer, or nominee can request support on behalf of an NDIS participant. If you are supporting someone who you believe would benefit from recovery coaching, you are welcome to contact our team and we can help you understand the process and what evidence is needed.

What happens if my Psychosocial Recovery Coaching funding runs out before my plan review?

If your recovery coaching funding is running low, speak with your Support Coordinator as soon as possible. They can help you request an unscheduled plan review with the NDIS or look at whether there is flexibility in other parts of your Capacity Building budget. The earlier you raise it, the more options you have.

Talk to BB Disability & Mental Health Services About Recovery Coaching

You do not have to work this out alone. BB Disability & Mental Health Services is a registered NDIS provider serving Dapto, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra, Moss Vale, and the wider Illawarra and Shoalhaven. We get back to every enquiry within 2 working hours on any business day.

Call us on 1300 070 724, email admin@bbdisability.com.au, or contact us for a real conversation with someone who knows this space. We would love to help you figure out what is possible.