Understanding the NDIS

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is focused on supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals. Through NDIS, holistic development will be encouraged among people with disabilities so they can get involved in the community and live more freely.

Developing your First NDIS Plan

Your first step once you access the NDIS is to create your first plan. Find out more about using services such as plan management to assist.

Management of Funding in a Participant’s Plan

There are three ways that you can manage your plan - self-management, plan management and NDIA management, also known as agency-managed.

  • Plan Managed

    This is when a participant chooses to use a plan management provider who will assist a participant with managing their NDIS plan funds. Plan management providers can purchase supports on behalf of participants from either registered or unregistered providers. A plan manager will receive funds from the NDIA and disburse funds on behalf of a participant to providers of other services received.

  • Self Managed

    This is when a participant (or their plan nominee) manages their NDIS plan funds. The NDIS will reimburse a participant or their plan nominee directly for the NDIS supports received.

  • Agency Managed

    This is when a participant chooses to use the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to manage their NDIS funds. The NDIA will directly pay registered providers of relevant services on behalf of a participant. 

You can also use a combination of management types to suit your needs.

Advantages of Plan Management

A Plan Manager can take the stress out of the NDIS at no cost to you.

Flexibility, choice and control

Having a NDIS Plan Manager gives you increased control over how your plan funds are used, with the freedom to use both registered and unregistered NDIS providers.

Free Up Your Time and Less Stress

Plan Managers are qualified accountants or bookkeepers and are approved NDIS providers. Their role is to take the stress out of administration and financial aspects of managing your plan. Your Plan management will receive and pay invoices from you or service providers direct.

Support and Budgeting

Plan Management provides you with a partner to help you navigate the NDIS and budget management to ensure you get the most out of your funding and NDIS plan. Part of a Plan Managers role is also to ensure your providers are charging within the NDIS price guide limits.

Funded Separately

It’s funded separately in your plan, so there’s no cost to you and it doesn’t take away money from your other supports.

You can also use a combination of management types to suit your needs.

After Your Planning Meeting

Once you have had your planning conversation a number of things will happen so you can put your plan into action and start receiving your support funding. The plan you discussed needs to be formally approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Supports Funded by the NDIS

The NDIS is designed to provide funding for reasonable and necessary supports, which may include employment, social participation, independence, living arrangements and health and wellbeing.

Transcript for 'Reasonable and Necessary supports'

Your Plan and your Budget

As an NDIS participant, you have choice and control over how you manage your NDIS plan.

NDIS and Other Support Available

While the NDIS is not intended to replace other services that are available to all Australians, such as health, education, employment, transport, aged care, justice and housing.

Ready to be plan managed or would you like to discuss plan management?