NDIS Plan Management: Complete Guide

Plan management is one of three ways to manage your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding. 

Your options are: 

• Self managed: You handle payments, claims and records yourself. 
• Plan managed: A registered plan manager handles provider payments and keeps financial records. 
• Agency managed: The NDIA pays registered providers directly. 

You can also use more than one option in the same plan, if the NDIA agrees. 

Plan management can suit people who want help with payments while keeping a broad choice of providers. 

Source: NDIS guide to your management options. 

A plan manager helps with the financial side of your NDIS plan. 

They can: 

• Receive and check provider invoices. 
• Claim eligible costs from the NDIA. 
• Pay your providers. 
• Keep payment records. 
• Track your spending. 
• Send you monthly financial statements. 
• Help you understand how much funding is left. 

You still choose your supports and providers. You should check your spending and raise any concerns about invoices. 

A plan manager does not choose your supports for you or replace your support coordinator. 

Source: NDIS: What is a plan manager?. 

Getting started is simple. 

1. Check your NDIS plan 

Look for funding marked as plan managed. If you don't have it, you can ask the NDIA to change how your funding is managed. 

2. Choose a registered plan manager 

Compare providers and choose one that suits your needs. 

3. Make a service agreement 

Your plan manager will explain their service and fees. You agree on how you'll work together. 

4. Connect your plan manager to your NDIS plan 

The NDIA needs to record your chosen plan manager so they can claim payments for you. For plans in the my NDIS system, this includes adding them as a "my provider". 

5. Tell providers where to send invoices 

Your providers can send their invoices to your plan manager. 

6. Your plan manager pays eligible invoices 

They check invoices, make claims and arrange payment for approved NDIS supports. 

7. Keep track of your spending 

You receive regular statements showing what has been paid and how much funding remains. 

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

Under current NDIS arrangements, the NDIA provides separate funding for plan management when it approves this option. 

This means you don't use your therapy or everyday support funding to pay your registered plan manager. 

The cost comes from funding set aside for plan management in your NDIS plan. 

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

Yes. Plan management generally lets you use both registered and unregistered providers. 

This gives you more choice than agency management, which requires registered providers. 

Some supports have extra registration rules. You must also use your funding for eligible NDIS supports. 

Your plan manager handles the payments, but you choose the providers who suit your needs. 

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

You don't have to wait for your next scheduled plan review. 

The NDIA will consider your request. If approved, it can update your plan to include plan management. 

If you already have a plan manager but want to switch, read how to change NDIS plan managers. 

Source: NDIS: Guide to changing your plan. 

Kismet helps participants manage their NDIS provider payments and stay informed about their funding. 

With Kismet, you can: 

• Have eligible provider invoices checked and paid. 
• Track your budget through an app and online portal. 
• See how your funding is being used. 
• Get help understanding your spending. 
• Spend less time managing payment paperwork. 

You can also read our guide to checking your remaining NDIS funding. 

Is NDIS plan management free? 

Under current NDIS arrangements, approved plan management is funded separately from your other supports. You don't need to use your therapy or everyday support budgets to pay your registered plan manager. 

Can I use an unregistered NDIS provider? 

Generally, yes. Plan-managed participants can use registered and unregistered providers. Some supports have special registration rules. 

Can I change my NDIS plan manager? 

Yes. You can choose a new plan manager. Check your service agreement, tell the NDIA and arrange for your new plan manager to be connected to your plan.