Start here›I want to refer someone
We take referrals from professionals and families. Here's what we need from you.
For support coordinators, NDIA planners and local area coordinators, hospitals and community health, housing and homelessness services, legal services, court programs, corrections, and families.
Who we work with
Adults with psychosocial disability, acquired brain injury, intellectual disability or autism, with or without a formal diagnosis.
Many of the people referred to us are dealing with something else at the same time: a discharge, a housing application, a court date, a carer who can't continue. We're set up for that. It's why we started.
We work across all of Victoria.
Referrals
What we take on
Support workCommunity access, daily living, personal care, and transport. Including participants who do best with the same worker.
Supported independent livingShared and individual arrangements where the plan funds SIL.
Alongside the support itself, we help with:
What we need from you
To respond quickly, we need:
- The person's name, date of birth and NDIS number (if they have one).
- Their consent to be referred, or a note that consent is pending and why.
- What's happening right now. Discharge date, court date, release date, tenancy end date. Anything with a deadline.
- A current NDIS plan, or the status of their access request.
- Any risk information we should know before first contact.
- The best way to reach the person, and the best way to reach you.
Don't hold a referral because you don't have all of this. Send what you have and flag the gaps.
What we don't take on
It's easier to trust a provider that tells you what it doesn't do.
- Children and young people under 18.
- Clinical treatment. We don't provide psychiatry, psychology, nursing or allied health. We connect people to it and keep it going.
- Writing behaviour support plans. We implement them; a registered practitioner writes them.
- Emergencies. We're not an emergency service. If someone is at immediate risk, call 000. If a referral is urgent, such as a discharge or release date, call us as well as sending the form.
- Plan management. We work alongside plan managers; we aren't one.
Working with us
How quickly we respond
A person replies to referrals within 24 hours.
For discharge and release referrals with a date attached, call us. We'll prioritise.
We tell you whether we can take it on within two business days.
If we can't, we'll say why and, where we can, suggest who can. If we're at capacity for a service, we'll tell you on the first call.
You'll hear from a main contact.
Once a referral is accepted, you'll get a confirmation with the name and contact details of the coordinator or worker. We'll keep you updated at the points you ask to be updated, and we'll tell you if something changes that affects your service's involvement.
Questions
Things people ask us
How fast will you get back to me?
A person replies within 24 hours. We tell you whether we can take the referral within two business days.
Do you need consent before I refer?
Ideally yes. If consent is pending, send the referral anyway and tell us why. We won't contact the person until it's in place.
Do you take people without an NDIS plan?
Yes, if they're likely to be eligible. We'll talk them through what the NDIS looks for. Funded supports start once a plan is in place.
Do you have a waitlist?
If we're at capacity for a service we'll tell you on the first call, and where we can, suggest who else can help.
Will I hear from a real person?
Yes. You'll get the name and direct contact of the coordinator or worker once a referral is accepted.
What we do
What you can refer into
Coordination
Support coordination
Helping you use your plan, with providers, the NDIS, Centrelink and housing.
Housing
Housing and supported independent living
Help finding and keeping a home, and 24/7 shared support for people with SIL funding.
Support work
Support in the community
Getting to appointments, work or study, building routines and getting out and about, with a worker alongside you.
Make a referral
How to refer
Online: the form on this page.
Email: info@nimacare.com.au
Phone: (03) 9962 7728, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Send what you have.
Make a referral
Talk to a person today
Call Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, or send a message any time. A person replies within 24 hours.