Plan Management or Self-Management: How to manage your NDIS Funding

September 16th 2022

Should you go with plan management or self-management?

There are three ways to manage your NDIS funding. It can be managed by

the NDIA (Agency-managed)
by a plan manager like Afea
or even by yourself!

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the latter two. We’ll help you decide if self-management is the right approach for you, or if you’ll get better benefits from working with a plan management provider.

Responsibilities of a Self-Manager

*If you are self-managing your NDIS funds, you are responsible for making payment requests from the NDIA and paying your providers on time*

One way to tell whether an NDIS participant is using plan management or self-management is to follow the money. If you are self-managing your funding, the NDIA provides you with the funding. This is so you can buy the supports and services that will help you achieve your goals as stated in your plan.

Since you are holding the funds, you are also responsible for paying your providers directly and keeping track of your spending.

Your other responsibilities include:

Requesting payments from the NDIA through the online myplace portal
Making clear agreements with your service providers, to ensure you receive the right supports at the right time
Managing your funding so the paid-for supports provide value for your money and is within budget
Keeping invoices and receipts to show you have paid for your supports using your NDIS funding
Advising the NDIA of any significant changes in your life that may result in you being unable to meet your responsibilities as a self-manager

At your plan reassessment meeting with the NDIA, which usually falls 12 months after your plan starts, you may be asked to demonstrate how you’ve used your funding towards reaching your goals.

You may also be asked to participate in any payment auditing, which is why it is important to keep all your invoices or receipts!

Paying your providers

You have two options to pay your supports:

Make a payment request using the invoice or timesheet from your provider on the myplace portal. Money from your NDIS plan budget will be paid into your nominated bank account, which you can use to pay your provider.
Pay your provider using your own money first and ask for a receipt. Make a payment request and get paid in your nominated bank account.

Self-managers are highly encouraged to set up a bank account separate from their personal account. This is to make it easier for you to keep track of money coming in from the NDIA, and the payments going out to your providers.

Working with a Plan Manager

Some NDIS participants prefer self-management so they can enhance their skills and be more independent.

However, if you find all of this too overwhelming and time consuming, or that you’re simply not ready yet to do everything yourself, you can ask your LAC or NDIA planner for additional support.

An example of additional support you can request is plan management assistance.

If you decide to work with a plan manager like Afea, the NDIA will pay your plan manager, who will then pay your providers for you.

Your plan manager must be registered with the NDIS, which means they meet the NDIS quality and safety standards. If you decide to use a provider that is not registered, you must make sure that they have the correct qualifications, training and safety checks.

Responsibilities of a Plan Manager

The good news is, your plan manager will take over the responsibilities that would have fallen on your shoulders if you had decided to self-manage your funding.

This means they will be responsible for requesting payments from the NDIA, tracking your spending and taking care of administration tasks like keeping your invoices.

So should you go with plan management or self-management? Have a think if you have the accounting or bookkeeping skills and the time needed to self-manage your own funding. You can also read through the NDIS self-management policy.

If you feel that you’re not ready, that’s completely fine! Ask your LAC or NDIA Planner for Plan Management funding and access help from a Plan Manager.

Plan Management with Afea

To give you an idea of the services you’ll receive from Afea Plan Management:

At Afea, we will receive invoices on your behalf, verify them, claim funds from the NDIA and pay providers within 2-3 business days.
You’ll have dedicated support – the team is only a phone call away should you have any questions or concerns.
Afea’s online portal allows you or your representative to log in from anywhere at any time to check the status of invoices, see real-time budgeting information and approve payments.

We hope this guide will help you decide!