Choosing how to manage your NDIS plan affects your control, flexibility, and responsibilities. Self-managed plans offer maximum independence and provider choice but require budget management skills. Plan-managed plans provide professional support while maintaining flexibility. NDIA-managed plans offer a hands-off approach with registered providers only. Your choice depends on your skills, preferences, and desired level of involvement.
If you are applying for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding, one of the biggest choices you will have to make is how you want your NDIS plan to be managed. This will have an impact on the types of NDIS supports you will have access to and how much control and responsibility you will have over the whole process.
In this blog, we will cover the difference between self-managed, plan-managed and, often overlooked, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)-managed plans and the things you need to consider when choosing the right one for you.
What is a Self-Managed NDIS Plan?
A self-managed NDIS plan is where you (or your plan nominee or child representative) have full control over and responsibility for your NDIS funding. This means you arrange and pay directly for the funded supports detailed in your NDIS plan.
This can give you more flexibility, choice and, ultimately, independence over the supports you purchase to attain the goals in your plan.
This can be beneficial as it gives you greater access to a variety of supports, including from registered and unregistered providers. This ability to innovate and try new things is one of the main benefits of self-managing as your choices may be more limited on a plan-managed plan.
To get the most out of your funding, you will need to plan a budget for the year. You will also need to track your spending.
NDIS funding is made up of three parts:
- Core Supports: For everyday activities.
- Capacity Building Supports: Help to increase your independence and build your skills.
- Capital Supports: These include things such as home modifications, vehicle modifications, assistive technology and specialist disability accommodation.
You can either partially or fully self-manage your NDIS funding.
If you are unsure how to manage your self-managed NDIS plan, you can opt for informal or funded support.
Informal support can be gained from friends, family, peer support groups or online networks. Funded support can be sought through NDIS providers, giving you a professional who can help you manage your money.
Your Responsibilities as Part of the Self-Managed Plan
Use your funding to buy NDIS supports. These should be in line with your plan and funding period.
Work with providers to agree on the supports they will offer and how they will be provided and paid for.
Manage your funding effectively to ensure the prices of NDIS supports are cost-effective. You will need to make sure costs can be met by your budget for the length of your plan and the funding period.
Make payments for NDIS supports on time, paying providers using received funding.
Make records of receipts and invoices for 5 years to demonstrate that you’ve bought NDIS supports and utilised funding as specified by your NDIS plan.
Act as an employer if you choose to employ staff directly. You will need to perform this role within the NDIS Code of Conduct and know how it applies to workers and providers who deliver NDIS supports.
Provide receipts, invoices or other evidence to the NDIA as part of payment reviews. You will need to show you’ve used your funding on NDIS supports and according to your NDIS plan.
If you cannot meet your responsibilities as a self-manager, advise NDIS. If you are a nominee, inform NDIS of any conflicts of interest.
What is a Plan-Managed NDIS Plan?
This option involves having a provider manage the funding in your NDIS plan, which are known as plan managers.
Plan managers take on budgeting management and NDIS funded supports administration activities to achieve a participant’s goals and outcomes. The plan manager shall disburse funds (from NDIA) on behalf of the individual to providers of supports.
Plan management providers can utilise registered or unregistered providers for supports on behalf of the individual.
You can find a plan manager through:
Local area coordinator. ‘Provider Finder’ tool on the NDIS portal. Word of mouth. Other online resources.
NDIA-Managed: The Third Option
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the statutory agency that implements NDIS. You can ask them to manage your plan for you.
You will be able to choose from NDIS registered providers. Providers claim payment from your funding. You can manage providers through the ‘myplace’ portal. The NDIA handles all book-keeping.
Key Differences: A Quick Comparison
While all plans allow you to choose the providers you want, there are some notable differences.
Both self-managed and plan-managed plans allow you to use unregistered support providers. However, if you choose to use non-registered providers on plan-managed plans, be aware that they must adhere to NDIS price controls arrangements.
You will only need to manage budgets and keep record of spending on a self-managed plan. On a plan-managed plan, your plan manager will do this. For a NDIA-managed plan, the NDIA will do this.
Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
The right NDIS management option for you will depend on your skills, abilities and preferences.
Self-managed plans require the ability to manage a budget and book-keeping skills. This unlocks a variety of benefits:
- Choice: Ability to use both registered and unregistered NDIS providers of supports, depending on what best meets your needs.
- Power: Ability to negotiate costs of NDIS supports to ensure they offer best value.
- Capacity: You have the ability to employ or contract staff to provide your NDIS supports.
- Control: Full power over your NDIS funding.
- Innovate: Ability to be creative when organising NDIS supports.
Plan-managed plans offer greater help with budget management, empowering you to access supports from a wide range of providers. This offers you some flexibility without the need to manage all aspects of the process.
If you are looking for a hands-off approach to management, NDIA-managed plans oversee the NDIA support for the whole process while allowing you to choose your NDIS supports.
Looking For NDIS Support Services?
Good Company Disability Services is an unregistered provider of NDIS supports. We provide high quality support and services to those in our care. Our services include:
- NDIS mentoring.
- Self-care support.
- Social and community participation.
- Employment support.
- Microenterprise.
- Peer mentoring.
- School leaver employment support.
- Short Term Accommodation (STA) and assistance including respite.
As an unregistered provider, we can be accessed by those on self-managed or plan-managed NDIS plans.
If you’d like to explore how we could help you, contact our Perth disability services or Melbourne disability services branch by phone, email he***@***************om.au or use the form on our Contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I switch between self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed plans?
A: Yes, you can change your management type at your plan review or by requesting a plan reassessment. Many participants start with plan-managed or NDIA-managed options and transition to self-management as they gain confidence and experience with the NDIS system.
Q: What happens if I run out of funding before my plan review?
A: If you’re self-managing or plan-managing your funds and run out before your plan ends, you’ll need to contact the NDIA to discuss your situation. They may conduct an unscheduled plan review if your circumstances have changed significantly. This is why careful budget management and tracking are essential for self-managed plans.
Q: Are there any costs involved in having a plan manager?
A: The cost of plan management is covered by your NDIS plan under the ‘Improved Life Choices’ support category. You won’t need to pay for this service out of your other support budgets, and it doesn’t reduce the funding available for your other supports.
