Plan Managed vs Self Managed NDIS: Which Suits You?

The main difference is who handles your NDIS payments and paperwork. With self management, you manage payments and claims. With plan management, a plan manager does this for you. With agency management, the NDIA pays registered providers. Self management and plan management generally offer more provider choice, including unregistered providers. 

When you have an NDIS plan, you can choose how your funding is managed, subject to NDIA approval. 

There are three options: 

• Self managed: You handle payments, claims and records. 
• Plan managed: A registered plan manager pays providers and keeps track of invoices and spending for you. 
• Agency managed: The NDIA pays registered providers directly. 

You can also combine these options within one plan. 

Think of your NDIS plan like a household budget. You decide which eligible supports you need. Your management option determines who handles the bills. 

The right choice depends on how much control you want over payments, how much paperwork you're comfortable with and which providers you want to use. 

There is no single best option for everyone. 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) explains these options in its guide to managing your funding. 

If you're new to the scheme, start with understanding your NDIS plan. 

Self managed NDIS plan 

Self management means you or your nominee handle your NDIS payments and records. 

You can: 

• Choose registered or unregistered providers, subject to NDIS rules. 
• Negotiate prices for eligible supports. 
• Pay providers and submit claims. 
• Keep invoices and receipts. 
• Track how much funding you have left. 

There are two ways to pay a provider after receiving a support. You can request NDIS funds first and then pay the provider, or pay with your own money and request reimbursement. 

Self management gives you more direct control over payments. It also means taking responsibility for the paperwork. 

Source: NDIA: How to self-manage your funding. 

Plan managed NDIS 

Plan management means a registered plan manager pays providers and keeps track of invoices and spending for your plan-managed supports. 

You choose your supports and providers. Your plan manager looks after the payment process. 

They can: 

• Check and process provider invoices. 
• Submit claims and pay providers. 
• Keep payment records. 
• Track your spending. 
• Provide monthly budget statements. 

You can generally use registered and unregistered providers, subject to NDIS rules. 

Plan management can be useful if you want provider choice without managing every invoice yourself. 

Source: NDIA: What is plan-managed funding?. 

Agency managed NDIS 

Agency management, also called NDIA management, means the NDIA handles provider payments and claim records. 

With agency-managed funding: 

• The NDIA pays providers directly. 
• You must use registered NDIS providers. 
• You do not submit provider payment claims yourself. 
• You still choose your supports within your plan. 

This option reduces payment paperwork but limits your choice of providers. 

Source: NDIA: What is NDIA-managed funding?. 

1. Who pays providers? 

• Self managed: You or your nominee. 
• Plan managed: Your plan manager. 
• Agency managed: The NDIA. 

2. Which providers can you use? 

• Self managed: Registered and unregistered providers, subject to rules. 
• Plan managed: Registered and unregistered providers, subject to rules. 
• Agency managed: Registered providers. 

Some support types have extra registration requirements. Always check the rules for the support you want. 

3. How much paperwork is involved? 

• Self managed: You handle claims, invoices and payments. 
• Plan managed: Your plan manager handles most payment paperwork. 
• Agency managed: The NDIA handles provider claims. 

4. Who keeps payment records? 

• Self managed: You keep invoices, receipts and payment records. 
• Plan managed: Your plan manager keeps payment records and provides statements. 
• Agency managed: The NDIA keeps claim records. 

You should still monitor your budget under every option. 

5. Does it cost extra? 

Under current NDIS arrangements, approved plan management receives its own funding in your plan. 

You do not need to use your therapy or everyday support budgets to pay your registered plan manager. 

Future funding arrangements may change, so check current NDIA guidance when making your decision. 

Source: NDIA: How to plan-manage your funding. 

A Practical Example 

Imagine you attend a therapy appointment costing $180. 

• Self managed: You pay the provider and claim the money back, or request NDIS funds before paying. 
• Plan managed: Your therapist sends the invoice to your plan manager, who checks and processes it. 
• Agency managed: Your registered therapist claims payment through the NDIS. 

The therapy must still be an eligible NDIS support covered by your plan. The $180 amount is an example, not an NDIS price limit. 

If you're unsure where a support fits, read our guide to NDIS support categories. 

Not sure which option suits you? Start with these six steps. 

1. Think about your paperwork 

Do you enjoy managing invoices and payments? 

If you're comfortable making claims and keeping records, self management may suit you. 

If you'd rather spend less time on payment paperwork, consider plan management. 

2. Check your preferred providers 

Make a list of the providers you currently use or want to use. 

Ask whether they're registered with the NDIS. 

Self management and plan management generally allow broader provider choice. Some supports, however, must be delivered by registered providers. 

3. Consider your pricing needs 

Self-managed participants generally have greater freedom to negotiate prices. 

Plan managers must follow NDIS pricing rules. This includes price limits for many supports. 

Think about whether these differences matter for your supports. 

4. Look at your budget 

Do you feel confident tracking your spending? 

A plan manager can provide reports showing how much funding you've used and what remains. 

You still need to check your budget and make sure your funding lasts. 

5. Ask questions 

Before choosing a plan manager, ask: 

• How are invoices checked and paid? 
• How can I see my remaining funding? 
• Will I receive monthly statements? 
• What happens if an invoice is incorrect? 
• Who can I contact when I need help? 

You can also speak with your my NDIS contact, nominee or support coordinator. 

6. Remember you can change your mind 

You can ask to change how your funding is managed at any time. 

You do not have to wait for your next plan reassessment. 

The NDIA will review your request. If it agrees, it will update your plan. 

You can also change from one registered plan manager to another during your plan, following the relevant steps. 

Read how to change NDIS plan managers. 

Source: NDIA: Guide to your management options. 

Whatever option you choose, it's important to know how much funding you have and what you've spent. 

These tools can help. 

1. My NDIS App and Participant Portal 

The official NDIS app and participant portals help you view your plan and funding. 

Depending on your plan, you can also check claims and manage payment requests. 

These are NDIA tools. 

2. Budget Tracking Tools 

A spreadsheet or budget tracker can help you record: 

• Provider names. 
• Payment dates. 
• Support categories. 
• Amounts spent. 
• Funding remaining. 

This can be particularly useful if you self-manage. 

3. Invoice and Receipt Storage 

Self-managed participants need to keep records of their spending. 

Keep your invoices and receipts in a safe place. The NDIA says self-managed participants must keep records of payments and claims for five years. 

A digital folder can help you find records when you need them. 

Source: NDIA: How to self-manage your funding. 

4. Plan Manager Financial Reports 

A plan manager does more than pay invoices. 

They check claims, pay providers, track spending and keep payment records. 

They must also provide monthly financial statements. These help you understand your remaining funding and whether you're spending too quickly or too slowly. 

You still make decisions about your supports and need to monitor your budget. 

Source: NDIA: What is a plan manager?. 

5. Kismet's App and Online Portal 

Kismet is an NDIS plan manager that helps participants manage provider payments and track their funding through an app and online portal. 

Instead of handling every provider invoice yourself, you can have Kismet manage the payment paperwork for your plan-managed supports. 

You can also review your spending information to help understand how your funding is being used. 

Read our guide to checking your remaining NDIS funding. 

"Since Kismet started managing our plan things have got a lot easier. Payments come through quick, its simple to keep track of the budget, and we don't have to chase anyone for updates no more. Wish we switched sooner honestly." - D Jensen, 5 stars. 

What is the difference between plan managed and self managed NDIS? 

The main difference is who handles payments and records. With self management, you manage provider payments, claims and receipts yourself. With plan management, a registered plan manager handles much of this work for you. Both options generally allow you to use registered and unregistered providers, subject to NDIS rules. Plan management may suit you if you want less paperwork. 

What does an NDIS plan manager actually do? 

An NDIS plan manager checks and processes provider invoices, submits claims, pays providers and keeps payment records. They also track spending and provide monthly budget statements. This helps you understand how much funding you've used and what remains. You still choose your providers and supports and must make sure your spending follows your plan. 

Can I change from plan managed to self managed? 

Yes. You can ask the NDIA to change your funding management option at any time. You do not need to wait until your next scheduled plan reassessment. The NDIA will consider whether self management is suitable for your circumstances. If it approves your request, your current plan can usually be updated without a full reassessment. 

Can I combine self management and plan management in one plan? 

Yes. Your NDIS plan can use more than one management option if the NDIA agrees. For example, you might self-manage one support category while using a plan manager for another. This allows you to manage some payments yourself while receiving help with others. Your plan will show how each part of your funding is managed. 

Can plan managed participants use unregistered providers? 

Yes. Plan-managed participants can generally use registered and unregistered providers. However, some support types have extra registration requirements. Your supports must also meet NDIS funding rules and be covered by your plan. If you're unsure whether a provider or support is suitable, check with your plan manager or my NDIS contact before booking. 

How do NDIS plan managers get paid? 

When the NDIA approves plan management, it includes separate funding in your NDIS plan for a registered plan manager. Your plan manager is paid from the funding set aside for plan management in your NDIS plan. This funding is separate from the money for your other approved supports. 

Does plan management cost me anything extra? 

Under current NDIS arrangements, approved plan management is funded separately from your other support budgets. This means you do not need to use your therapy or everyday support funding to pay your registered plan manager. The NDIA includes funding for this service when it approves plan management. Check current NDIA guidance for any future changes. 

Can I see my plan managed spending in the Kismet app? 

Yes. Kismet provides an app and online portal to help participants track their NDIS budgets and spending. You can review available funding information while Kismet handles provider payments. This helps you stay informed about your plan without managing every invoice yourself. You can also contact Kismet if you need help understanding your spending. 

If you're self-managing your NDIS funding and would like less paperwork, Kismet plan management may be worth considering. 

You can continue choosing your supports and providers while Kismet helps with the payment administration. 

With Kismet, you can: 

• Have eligible provider invoices checked and paid. 
• Track your spending through an app and online portal. 
• Get help understanding your NDIS funding. 
• Keep payment records organised. 
• Spend less time handling payments and paperwork. 

If you're currently self-managed, the NDIA will need to approve a change to plan management before Kismet can manage that funding. 

You can ask for this change without waiting for your next plan reassessment.