Self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed: what it means for choosing providers
How your NDIS plan is managed changes which providers you can use and who pays them. Here's a plain-English guide to the three options.
Every NDIS plan is managed in one of three ways, and it can be a mix of them. The way your funding is managed affects which providers you can choose, who pays them, and how much paperwork lands on your desk.
Self-managed
You (or your nominee) manage the funding. You choose your providers, pay their invoices, and claim the money back through the myplace portal.
- Choice: you can use registered and unregistered providers.
- Work involved: the most admin; you keep records and receipts.
Plan-managed
A plan manager, funded through your plan, pays your providers for you and keeps track of your budget.
- Choice: you can use registered and unregistered providers.
- Work involved: much less admin; you approve invoices and your plan manager pays them.
NDIA-managed (agency-managed)
The NDIA pays providers directly from your plan.
- Choice: you can only use NDIS-registered providers.
- Work involved: very little admin, but less flexibility.
Which is right for you?
It comes down to how much choice you want and how much admin you're comfortable with. Many people find plan management a good middle ground. You can ask to change how your plan is managed at a plan reassessment, or by contacting the NDIS.
If you're not sure how your plan is managed, check your plan document or ask your support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator.
For the official detail, see the NDIS website.