What Is an NDIS Plan Manager?
Plan management is a financial disability service funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The aim of plan management is to support and guide you to use your NDIS plan funding in the best possible way to achieve your goals and outcomes.
What Are the Different Ways My NDIS Plan Can Be Managed?
There are a number of ways your NDIS plan funds can be managed:
Agency Managed
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages your NDIS funds. The NDIS will pay registered providers and services on behalf of the participant.
Self Managed
You or your plan nominee manages your NDIS funds. This means that you (or your plan nominee) will be reimbursed by the NDIS for any funds paid directly for your NDIS supports and services.
Plan Managed
The plan management provider of your choice will assist you in managing your NDIS plan funds. The plan manager receives the funds from your plan via the NDIA, which are then used to pay for the services you receive.
What Services Does an NDIS Plan Manager Provide?
An NDIS Plan Manager can help by:
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Paying your providers’ invoices on your behalf
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Tracking your budgets so you know where your funding is at
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Helping you understand what you can and can’t claim under your plan
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Checking invoices are compliant before they’re paid
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With your consent, contacting providers, your GP, or a hospital clinic to request or clarify paperwork needed for payment (such as reports, letters, or invoice details)
Why Should I Choose to Be Plan Managed?
If you are deciding whether to be plan managed or not, here are some of the key benefits to help you choose if it’s the right option for you.
Using plan management services allows you to:
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Use both registered and unregistered providers, giving you more choice, especially in areas with limited provider options
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Save time on administration, as your plan manager will pay bills, store receipts, and track your spending
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Better understand your NDIS funding and how to use it to achieve your goals
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Track your budget so you don’t run out of money
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Have greater control over how you use your funding
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Stress less about paying bills on time and spend more time on activities you enjoy
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Build confidence and skills in managing your budget
What Does My NDIS Plan Manager NOT Do?
Think of your NDIS Plan Manager as your financial support for your NDIS funding. Your plan manager is not a Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or Early Childhood Intervention Coordinator (ECIC).
The role of a plan manager focuses purely on assisting and supporting you with financial tasks relating to your NDIS funding and helping build your capacity to manage your budget.
It is not the role of your plan manager to:
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Connect, organise, or schedule your services with other providers
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Manage your appointments or calendar
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Provide disability advocacy services
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Decide what supports you can or cannot access, unless the support is not included in your plan
How Much Does an NDIS Plan Manager Cost?
Do I Have to Pay Any Out-of-Pocket Costs?
No. The NDIS pays for plan management under a separate area of funding in your plan. This does not impact the funds used for your other services and supports.
What Is the Price for a Plan Manager?
Pricing for plan management services may differ depending on the provider you choose, but all fees must comply with the NDIS Price Guide.
For each participant, plan managers receive $1,485 per year. This includes an establishment fee and ongoing monthly fees to cover all plan management services provided.
These fees must be clearly explained and outlined in a service agreement you receive before signing up with a plan manager.
If you change plan managers during your plan period, the new plan manager will not receive an establishment fee.
How Do I Find a Plan Manager Near Me?
Your Plan Manager must be an NDIS registered provider. When choosing a plan manager, you can:
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Ask friends or family about their provider
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Contact MyCareSpace to find plan managers near you
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View the NDIS list of registered providers
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Speak directly to plan managers and ask about their services and processes
How Do I Set Up NDIS Plan Management?
You can request plan management at any stage of your plan. This can be during your initial plan meeting, your plan review, or by requesting a review at any time to include plan management support.
To get started:
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Call the NDIS or request plan management during your planning meeting
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Await NDIA approval, where separate funding will be added to your plan for plan management supports
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Select a plan management provider and sign a service agreement
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Once set up, you can start sending invoices to your plan manager for payment from your NDIS plan
If you’d like, I can also give you a version with internal links (NDIS, MyCareSpace, and your Plan Hero page) so this becomes SEO-friendly and navigation-ready for your WordPress site.
