The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) uses the core value of choice and control to enable participants to achieve better independence in their lives. The ability to determine how your NDIS plan funding should be managed forms an essential part of this approach. The two fantastic options of self-management and plan-management allow numerous support providers to be a part of your life. Relationships and activities are fundamental aspects of your life, because they determine your overall quality of existence.
Our organisation operates as an unregistered provider of NDIS support, enabling us to work with participants who manage their own plans through self-management or plan-management. The following article is designed to help you use your NDIS plan to access services while reaching your maximum benefits.
Understanding Self-Management: Key Principles
Self-management provides participants with full control over their NDIS budget. The self-management choice places responsibility on you to oversee your budget allocation and pick your providers, draft service contracts, and process payments before requesting reimbursement from the NDIA through myplace. The main advantage of this system is complete adaptability, since you can select between registered and unregistered providers, and you maintain complete control over your payment rates. If you feel secure about handling your financial records, you will gain maximum control over your personalised support through this approach.
Understanding Plan-Management: Key Principles
Plan-management provides participants with both independence in selection and guidance through its intermediary status. You can choose registered and unregistered providers with plan-management while the NDIS covers financial administration through a registered Plan Manager. A registered Plan Manager receives NDIS funding to process your invoices and track your spending while submitting claims to the NDIA on your account. Your providers will receive timely payments from the paperwork expertise while you pursue your objectives.
Accessing Services When Self-Managed
Self-managed participants may be able to work with any provider who has an Australian Business Number (ABN) because they maintain full control over their service choices. Good Company, along with other values-driven organisations, may qualify under this arrangement, subject to NDIS plan approval.
The process is straightforward:
- Find and Connect: You identify a provider you feel is the right fit for you. At Good Company, we establish trust from the first day through personal introductions combined with mentor profiles. Confirm with your plan or the NDIA that the services align with your approved plan goals.
- Negotiate and Agree: You discuss your needs, the services to be provided, and the cost. A service agreement documents this agreement.
- Receive Support: The service providers deliver mentoring and community participation services that align with your NDIS plan goals.
- Pay and Claim: After receiving service delivery, your provider will issue an invoice for payment. The invoice payment comes from you before you request reimbursement through the myplace portal from the NDIA. All financial documents, including invoices and receipts, must be retained for a minimum of five years to meet audit requirements.
Accessing Services When Plan-Managed
Plan-managed NDIS plans allow the same level of flexibility as self-managed plans while requiring minimal personal administrative work. Plan-managed participants can select from all available options and work with unregistered providers, subject to services being approved under their NDIS plan.
- Find and Connect: You choose the providers you want to work with. At Good Company, we offer person-centred mentoring together with employment support and other services that may be available to you, subject to your plan approval.
- Inform Your Plan Manager: You must notify your Plan Manager about receiving services from your selected provider and confirm the services are covered under your NDIS plan.
- Receive Support: Your sessions with your provider go ahead as planned.
The provider will send their invoices to your Plan Manager, who will handle all payment procedures. The Plan Manager uses your NDIS plan funds to pay the provider and completes the process of submitting claims to the NDIA. Your Plan Manager will send you periodic reports about how your NDIS plan funds are being allocated.
Common Supports That May Be Accessible via Both Management Types
Both self-managed and plan-managed participants may have the ability to access a wide range of capacity-building and core supports, subject to individual plan approval and goals. At Good Company, we focus on delivering real outcomes through services tailored to your goals.
Support you may be able to access includes:
- NDIS-Funding Mentoring: Work alongside a trusted mentor to build confidence, develop new skills, and work towards your personal goals (subject to plan approval).
- Employment Support: Get personalised assistance to explore your interests, identify meaningful roles, and connect with local businesses for work placements or paid employment (subject to plan approval).
- School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES): A dedicated program for school leavers to build capacity and skills for a smooth transition into the workforce (subject to plan eligibility and approval).
- Microenterprise: Receive support in starting your own small business, from developing an idea to launching it (subject to plan approval).
- NDIS-Funded Social and Community Participation: Build stronger community connections and engage in meaningful experiences that align with your interests (subject to plan approval).
- Self-Care: We support you in prioritising your wellbeing, which provides a foundation for making progress in all other areas of your life (subject to plan approval).
Tips for Effective Self-Management
- Budget Wisely: Create a clear budget to track your spending against your NDIS plan funds.
- Keep Meticulous Records: Open a separate bank account for NDIS funds to simplify record-keeping. Keep all service agreements, invoices, and receipts organised and accessible.
- Communicate Clearly: Maintain open communication with your providers about your goals and expectations.
Tips for Effective Plan-Management
- Choose the Right Plan Manager: Look for a Plan Manager who is responsive, communicates clearly, and provides easy-to-understand budget reports.
- Review Your Statements: Regularly check the monthly statements from your Plan Manager to stay on top of your budget.
- Stay in Control: Remember, while your Plan Manager handles the payments, you are still in charge of choosing your supports and providers.
When to Consider Changing Your Management Method
Your needs can change, and so can your preferred management method. You might consider switching from self-management to plan-management if the administrative tasks become too overwhelming. Conversely, if you are plan-managed and desire even greater control over your finances and the ability to negotiate prices freely, you might switch to self-management. You can request to change your management type at your annual plan review or by contacting the NDIA if your circumstances change mid-plan.
Conclusion: Maximising Your NDIS Plan
Whether you choose to self-manage or use a plan manager, both options provide incredible flexibility to build a support network that truly works for you, subject to NDIS plan approval and eligibility requirements. If you’re ready to partner with an unregistered provider that invests in people and focuses on real, lasting outcomes, get in touch with Good Company today. We’re here to help you make the most of your NDIS in Perth and Melbourne, subject to service eligibility under your individual NDIS plan.
