Plan-managed, self-managed or NDIA-managed: which suits you?

Every NDIS plan says how the funding in it is managed. This decides who pays your providers, which providers you can use, and how much paperwork lands on your kitchen table. There are three options, and many people use a mix of them.

This guide explains each option in plain words. It is general information. The rules can change, so check the details for your own plan with the NDIA, your local area coordinator (LAC) or your support coordinator.

The three options at a glance

• NDIA-managed (sometimes called agency-managed): the NDIA pays your providers directly.
• Plan-managed: a plan manager pays your providers for you from your plan.
• Self-managed: you, or someone you choose, pay providers and claim the money from the NDIA.

Different parts of one plan can be managed in different ways. For example, your Core supports might be plan-managed while your therapy is self-managed.

NDIA-managed

With NDIA-managed funding, your providers claim payment directly from the NDIA through its systems. You do not handle invoices or payments.

What it means for you:

• You can only use providers who are registered with the NDIS Commission.
• Prices must sit within the price limits in the current NDIS Pricing Schedule.
• You can see what providers have claimed in the my NDIS portal or app.

It may suit you if you want the least paperwork, you are happy to choose from registered providers, and you like knowing that the NDIA handles payments.

Things to watch: it can limit your choice, because some smaller or local providers are not registered. You still need to keep an eye on your budget so you know how much is left.

Plan-managed

With plan management, you choose a plan manager. This is an organisation that pays your providers from your NDIS funding, tracks your budget and sends you regular statements.

The NDIA funds plan management separately, in Capacity Building. It does not come out of the money for your other supports.

What it means for you:

• You can use registered and unregistered providers.
• Prices must still sit within the price limits.
• Providers send invoices to your plan manager, who checks and pays them.
• You usually get statements that show what has been spent and what is left.

It may suit you if you want more choice of providers without handling payments yourself, and you would like someone to help you keep track of your budget.

Things to watch: a plan manager pays invoices, but they are not a support coordinator. They will not usually find providers for you or help you set up supports. Ask your plan manager how they check invoices, how often you get statements, and how to contact them with a question.

Self-managed

With self-management, you, or a person you choose such as a family member, manage the funding. You pay providers and claim the money from the NDIA, or claim before you pay where the provider agrees.

What it means for you:

• You can use registered and unregistered providers.
• You can sometimes agree to prices outside the price limits, as long as the support still meets NDIS rules and represents value for money.
• You keep invoices, receipts and records, and you may need to show them if the NDIA asks.
• You can employ your own workers directly, but that brings responsibilities as an employer, such as insurance, pay and superannuation.

It may suit you if you want the most choice and flexibility, you are comfortable with paperwork and keeping records, and you have the time to do it.

Things to watch: it is more work, and you are responsible for spending the funding according to your plan. The NDIA can provide information and training on self-management, and you can ask for funding for help to build your skills in managing your plan.

Comparing the three

	NDIA-managed	Plan-managed	Self-managed
Who pays providers	The NDIA	Your plan manager	You, then you claim
Which providers	Registered only	Registered and unregistered	Registered and unregistered
Price limits	Apply	Apply	Can sometimes differ
Who keeps records	The NDIA	Your plan manager	You
Paperwork for you	Least	Some	Most

Mixing options

You do not have to pick only one. Many people self-manage one budget they know well and have a plan manager or the NDIA look after the rest. A mix can give you flexibility where you want it and less work where you do not.

Changing how your plan is managed

If your current option is not working, you can ask the NDIA to change it. This can often be done without a full plan reassessment, through a plan variation. The NDIA considers your request and makes the decision. In some situations, for example where there is a risk of harm or where funding has been misused before, the NDIA may decide self-management is not suitable for a particular part of a plan.

Before you ask, think about:

• How much time and energy you have for paperwork.
• Whether the providers you want to use are registered.
• Whether you would like someone to send you regular statements.
• Who could help you if something went wrong.

Questions to ask a plan manager

If you are choosing a plan manager, it is worth asking:

• How quickly do you pay provider invoices?
• How will I see what has been spent and what is left?
• What do you do if an invoice looks wrong?
• How do I contact you, and who will I speak to?
• Are you also a provider of other supports? If so, how do you manage that conflict of interest?

How this affects your providers

How your plan is managed changes how a provider bills you, so a good provider will ask about it before support starts and write it into your service agreement. If your plan management changes part way through, let your providers know so invoices go to the right place.

Manora Care is a registered NDIS provider, so we can work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed funding. If you are not sure how your plan is managed, read our guide on how to read your NDIS plan, check the NDIS glossary, or contact us and we will help you find out.