So we can get in touch and help find you a care provider for your needs. You are fast becoming a NDIS expert, but are you ready to manage your NDIS plan? So many decisions to make! Some plan management types give you more flexibility and choice and control than others. To help you decide which option best suits you, this article outlines what’s involved in plan management.
4 Jul 2018
Option 1 – Self-management
The most direct approach – Self-management provides you with the greatest level of flexibility, choice and control. It is also the option with the most responsibility and can be time consuming. Self management means you are managing your affairs, or you can use a nominee (usually a parent or carer).
What’s involved?
- You choose and organise your supports, including the staff and services and items you purchase as part of your plan
- You pay the invoices for your supports
- It’s not compulsory, but you might want to open a bank account to manage the NDIS funding
- You keep appropriate records and receipts for the supports you receive
- You report to the agency through the myplace portal on your NDIS plan funds you spend on self-managed items
- You can request to self-manage all or some of the support budgets in your NDIS Plan. You may also choose to self-manage just one part of your NDIS plan, and if you choose this option, you will have two support budgets in your plan with the same name, and each budget will have a different description about how the supports will be paid. For example, if you have funded supports for ‘assistance with daily life’ you may manage your personal supports, and get the NDIA to manage your household assistance or vice versa.
| Self Management Benefits | Self Management Drawbacks |
| Flexibility – Freedom to choose any provider, including providers who are not registered Choice – you know exactly who you are paying Control – you know exactly what you are paying for | Time – takes time Responsibility – Comes with responsibility Pay upfront – Need to pay costs upfront and wait for reimbursement Build your skills – Might need to build skills in certain areas |
2. NDIS (Agency) management
NDIA managed suits people who are happy to use registered NDIS providers only, and want someone else to manage the finances. This category of management is falling in popularity as people choose to exercise more choice and control.
What’s involved
- You choose and arrange your own supports, including your own support workers. They must be registered NDIS providers if you choose to have an agency managed plan.
- NDIA manages the invoices and payments for your supports.
- NDIA asks for the receipts and keeps records of your supports.
| NDIA managed Benefits | NDIA managed Drawbacks |
| Relatively Easy – because you don’t really do anything Save time – the NDIA organises payments with the providers who work with you Less accountability – the NDIA is accountable for the payments. | Limited choice – You can only work with NDIS registered providers Less control – you have limited control Less flexibility – the budget you have is less flexible. |
3. Enlist the help of a Plan Manager
A Plan Manager is an organisation that provides plan management services (they must be registered specially for Plan Management). The Plan Manager is paid a fixed monthly rate for organising the financial side of your plan.
What’s involved
- You meet with your chosen plan manager and discuss your NDIS plan.
- Your Plan Manager organises and manages the financial parts your NDIS plan.
- You choose and organise your own supports, including your own support workers.
| Plan Manager organisation Benefits | Plan Manager organisation Drawbacks |
| Flexibility – Freedom to choose provider, including providers who are not registered Choice – you can choose the supports provided they are within the guidelines Funded – NDIA provide funding for the Plan Manager in your Plan | Time – more meetings! There will be another person you need to meet with regularly, for example every month Build your skills – Might need to build skills in certain areas |
4. A combination of the above management options
You may be able to choose a mix of self-management and NDIS management. This means that when it comes to your NDIS finances, you can choose who manages what.
This option suits people who are happy for the NDIS to manage parts of their budget, but want control over certain services. This is especially handy when you want to enlist a support service that is not registered with the NDIS. Remember however, you lose flexibility and control when you hand over to NDIA!
What’s involved
- You choose and arrange your own supports, including your own support workers.
- You ensure relevant invoices for supports you choose to self-manage are paid on time.
- You keep appropriate records and receipts for the supports that you choose to self-manage, both claimed and paid.
- You report to the NDIA on the amount used and funds spent on the self-managed items of your NDIS plan.
- NDIA will manage the parts of the budget that you allocate to them.
| Combination of Management options Benefits | Combination of Management options Drawbacks |
| Flexibility – Freedom to choose any provider, including providers who are not registered Choice – you know exactly who you are paying Control – you know exactly what you are paying for | Time – takes time Pay upfront – Need to pay costs upfront and wait for reimbursement Build your skills – Might need to build skills in certain areas |
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