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What You Need to Know
When you’re approved for an NDIS plan, one of the first decisions you’ll make is how your plan will be managed. For many participants, this decision can feel rushed or unclear, and they may default to the option chosen by their Local Area Coordinator or planner, often without realising the alternatives available. Many people don’t know that NDIS plan management is available as a free inclusion, and choosing this option can unlock far more flexibility and control than you might expect.
In this article, we’ll explore plan management, its workings, and why it’s one of the NDIS’s most underutilised yet powerful features.
What Is NDIS Plan Management?
Plan management is one of three ways your NDIS funds can be administered. The options are:
- NDIA-managed (also called agency-managed): where the NDIA pays providers directly
- Self-managed: where the participant or nominee manages their invoices and records
- Plan-managed: where a registered plan manager helps you manage your budget, pay providers, and keep track of your funding
Many participants are unaware that it can be added to their plan without affecting the funding allocated for other supports if they request plan management. This makes it a no-cost upgrade that offers both convenience and autonomy.
You can learn more about how funding categories are structured by visiting our guide on NDIS Support Services.
The Benefits of Choosing Plan Management
When your plan is plan-managed, you can access registered and unregistered providers. This opens up a wider range of support options, particularly valuable in regional or remote areas where not all service providers are registered with the NDIS.
Other benefits of plan management include:
- Invoice processing and budget tracking: Your plan manager handles the admin, so you don’t have to
- Advice on funding use: Plan managers can help you understand how to make the most of your budget
- Spending reports: Regular updates give you a clear picture of how your funds are being used
- Fewer delays: With a plan manager acting quickly on your behalf, services can begin sooner
Participants who struggle with paperwork or want peace of mind knowing their budget is being used efficiently often benefit significantly from this model.
What You Might Be Missing Without It
If your plan is NDIA-managed, you’re limited to using only registered NDIS providers. That means if a therapist, carer, or support worker you trust isn’t registered, you won’t be able to pay them through your plan—unless you switch to self- or plan-managed.
Many families are unaware that by not requesting plan management, they may be missing out on the flexibility to:
- Choose providers that best fit their needs
- Receive faster approvals and service turnarounds
- Access providers with cultural, linguistic, or specialist expertise
Plan management also reduces the risk of underspending your budget, a common issue highlighted in our blog on NDIS Support Services Explained: What You Might Be Missing. With a plan manager monitoring your spending and providing guidance, your funding is more likely to be used effectively.
How to Request Plan Management
If you’re agency-managed but want to switch to plan management, you don’t need to wait for your plan to expire. You can request a plan reassessment meeting or raise the request during your next scheduled review.
When speaking with your NDIS Plan Manager or Local Area Coordinator, state that you’d like to include plan management. The NDIA will then allocate additional funding under the Improved Life Choices category, which covers the cost of a plan manager.
I’d like you to come prepared with examples of how plan management will help you achieve your goals, such as increased access to providers or assistance with managing your funds.
Final Thoughts
NDIS plan management is a powerful yet often overlooked feature that can simplify your life while expanding your choices. It’s a free inclusion, so there’s no reason not to consider it. With support from a plan manager, you can focus on achieving your goals, rather than getting bogged down in admin or restricted provider options.
If you’re unsure whether your current setup is working or want help switching to plan management, our team at My Care Living is here to guide you through the process. We’ll help you make confident, informed decisions that ensure your plan works for you, not the other way around.