Written by the Good Company Disability Services team, NDIS mentoring providers in Perth and Melbourne. Reviewed October 2026.
NDIS mentoring can help people with psychosocial disability or high social anxiety build confidence, routines and connection at their own pace. A mentor works alongside you in everyday life, taking small, planned steps towards the things that feel hard, like catching a bus, joining a group or starting a course. Mentoring is not therapy or crisis support. It works best alongside your clinical supports, with one consistent, trusted person and a plan that you lead.
This guide explains how mentoring helps, what good psychosocial support looks like, and how to find the right fit.
What is psychosocial disability?
Psychosocial disability is the term used for disability that can arise from a mental health condition. It’s about the impact on everyday life, like managing routines, being around people, working or studying, rather than the diagnosis itself. People with a psychosocial disability that is likely to be permanent and significantly affects their daily life may be eligible for the NDIS.
Many people also live with high social anxiety, whether or not it’s part of a psychosocial disability. For them, mentoring can make the difference between staying home and getting out into the world.
How mentoring helps
- Breaking goals into small steps. Big goals feel overwhelming. A mentor helps you plan small, manageable steps and celebrates each one.
- Practising in real places. Confidence grows by doing. Your mentor comes with you to the bus stop, the shops, a class or a job interview, then steps back as you’re ready.
- Building routines. Regular sleep, meals, activity and plans can make the rest of life easier. A mentor helps you build routines that suit you.
- Connecting with people. From one conversation to a regular group, a mentor helps you build connections that last beyond your sessions.
- Working towards study, work or a business. When you’re ready, mentoring can link to employment support or microenterprise support.
What good psychosocial mentoring looks like
| Good practice | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| One consistent person | You don’t have to retell your story to someone new each week. |
| You lead the plan | Your goals, your pace and your choices, including the right to take reasonable risks. |
| Low pressure | No rushing, no judgement, and it’s okay to have a hard day. |
| Trauma-aware and respectful | Your mentor checks in, explains what’s happening and respects your boundaries. |
| Works alongside your clinical care | With your consent, your mentor can share progress with your support coordinator or other providers. |
| Progress you can see | Notes after each session help you see how far you’ve come. |
Mentoring is not therapy or crisis support
Mentors are not clinicians. Mentoring works best alongside your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health team, not instead of them. If you need clinical support, your GP can help with a Mental Health Treatment Plan, or you can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212.
If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time. In an emergency, call 000.
How Good Company can help
Good Company supports people with psychosocial disability and social anxiety through one-to-one mentoring in Perth and Melbourne, and online across Australia. You’re matched with one regular mentor based on your goals, interests and personality, and you meet in person before sessions start. Every mentor has a team behind them, so your support keeps going if they’re away.
- NDIS mentoring
- Social and community participation
- Who we support and our 1-minute right-fit check
- How we keep your support stable
Frequently asked questions
Can the NDIS fund mentoring for psychosocial disability?
It can. Mentoring is usually funded through capacity building supports when it relates to your disability and your plan goals. Psychosocial recovery coaching is another NDIS support that some people use alongside mentoring.
What’s the difference between a mentor and a psychologist?
A psychologist provides clinical treatment. A mentor provides practical, everyday support to build skills, routines and confidence in real life. Many people have both.
I find meeting new people really hard. How does the first meeting work?
We start with a phone call at your pace, then arrange an in-person introduction before regular sessions begin. You can bring someone you trust.
What if I have a bad day and can’t do a session?
Tell us as early as you can, and we’ll talk with you about rescheduling. Our cancellation terms are explained on our Who we support page.
Sources and further reading
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.
