Written by the Good Company Disability Services team, NDIS mentoring providers in Perth and Melbourne. Reviewed October 2026.
The right NDIS support worker or mentor is someone you feel comfortable with, who understands your goals and who you’ll see regularly. The best way to find them is to be clear about what you want help with, share your preferences early, meet before support starts, and choose a provider that has a plan for consistency, including who steps in when your worker is away. A good match makes it far easier to build skills, because trust comes first.
This guide explains what to look for, the questions to ask, and how mentor matching works at Good Company.
Why the right match matters
Building new skills means trying things that feel hard, and that’s easier with someone you trust. When you feel comfortable with your mentor or support worker, you’re more likely to speak up about what you want, try new things and keep going when it’s tricky.
Consistency matters too. Seeing the same person at regular times means you don’t have to keep explaining your story, and your worker can pick up where you left off. That’s especially important for people who find change or new people stressful.
What to look for in an NDIS support worker or mentor
- Understanding of your goals. They should know what you’re working towards and plan sessions around it.
- A style that suits you. Some people like step-by-step instructions. Others learn best by doing. A good match fits how you learn.
- Shared interests. Common ground, like sport, music, gaming or cooking, makes it easier to connect.
- Respect for your choices. They give ideas, but the decisions are yours.
- Reliability. They turn up on time, keep in touch and let you know early about any changes.
- Experience that fits your needs. For example, experience supporting autistic adults, people with ADHD or people with psychosocial disability.
- Proper checks. Ask whether workers hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check. All NDIS workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct.
Questions to ask a provider before you start
- How do you match participants with workers?
- Can I meet my worker before regular sessions begin?
- Will I see the same person each week?
- What happens if my worker is sick or on holiday?
- How do you track progress towards my goals?
- What if the match doesn’t feel right?
- How do I give feedback or make a complaint?
A good provider will be happy to answer all of these. If the answers are vague, that’s worth noting.
How mentor matching works at Good Company
1. Say hello
It starts with a conversation. We ask about your goals, what you enjoy, what you find hard and what kind of person you’d like to work with.
2. Build your profile
We create a participant profile that captures your strengths, interests, communication preferences and goals. Our mentors have profiles too, so we can see who is likely to be a good fit.
3. Find your match
We match you with a mentor based on your goals, location, interests, personality and support needs. You can tell us your preferences, and we take them seriously.
4. Meet in person
Before regular sessions begin, we arrange an introduction where you and your mentor can get to know each other. Family members are welcome to come along and ask questions.
5. Regular sessions, with a team behind them
You’ll see your mentor at regular times, in sessions of at least two hours. Your mentor writes a note after each session and our team shares updates, so if your mentor is away, someone who already knows your goals can step in. You’re never relying on just one person.
What if the match isn’t right?
Sometimes a match doesn’t click, and that’s okay. Tell us, or ask someone you trust to tell us for you. We’ll talk about what isn’t working and find a better fit. You won’t be in trouble for asking, and it won’t affect your supports.
Related reading
- NDIS mentor vs support worker: what’s the difference?
- How we keep your support stable
- How we work
- NDIS mentoring
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my own NDIS support worker?
Yes. You have choice and control over who supports you. You can tell your provider your preferences, such as gender, age, interests or language, and ask to meet workers before you start.
Can I meet my mentor before support starts?
At Good Company, yes. We arrange an introduction before regular sessions begin so you can get to know each other first.
What happens if my mentor is away?
Our team shares updates after every session, so if your mentor is sick or on leave, another team member who already knows your goals can step in. We’ll let you know who is coming.
Can I change my support worker if it’s not working?
Yes. Let your provider know. A good provider will work with you to find a better match without any pressure.
Do NDIS support workers need checks?
Registered providers must make sure workers in risk-assessed roles have an NDIS Worker Screening Check, and all NDIS providers and workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct. Whoever your provider is, it’s a good idea to ask about their checks.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Worker screening
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: NDIS Code of Conduct
- Good Company: Mentor Match game
This article is general information only and was current at 31 October 2026. NDIS rules, and how they apply to individual plans, can change, and we can’t guarantee the article is complete or up to date. It is not advice about your plan and you should not rely on it to make decisions about your supports. Check ndis.gov.au, call the NDIS on 1800 800 110, or speak with your support coordinator or plan manager. Good Company Disability Services is an independent provider and is not affiliated with the NDIS or the NDIA.
