Find NDIS plan management in Lara, VIC

Plan management is funded by the NDIS at no cost to you. When the NDIS approves plan management for your plan, it adds a separate funding allocation under the "Improved Life Choices" support category specifically to pay the plan manager's fees. This funding cannot be spent on other supports; it is ring-fenced for plan management only.

The NDIS sets standard fee limits for plan management. These include a monthly management fee (for processing invoices, maintaining the budget, and providing statements), a plan management set-up fee, and, in some cases, a fee for transitioning between plan managers. Plan managers cannot charge above these NDIS price limits.

Because plan management is fully NDIS-funded, comparing providers on cost is less important than comparing them on service quality, responsiveness, and the tools they provide to help you track your spending. Some plan managers offer real-time budget dashboards accessible via app or website, which gives you clear visibility of your funds at any time.

Some plan managers also provide no-cost support services such as help understanding your plan, guidance on finding providers, and assistance with invoice disputes. These value-added services differ significantly between providers and are worth asking about.

Plan management is funded entirely by the NDIS under the "Improved Life Choices" support category. You do not pay for plan management from your own pocket or from your other NDIS support budgets. To access plan management, you need to request it at your NDIS planning meeting or review. The NDIA will add a plan management funding allocation to your plan.

NDIS Improved Life Choices: This is the specific NDIS support category that funds plan management. The funding is separate from your Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets. Your plan manager uses this allocation to pay their own fees. They receive payment directly from the NDIS after submitting their monthly claim.

Plan management for all NDIS participants: Any NDIS participant can request plan management, regardless of their disability, age, or plan size. You do not need to meet any additional criteria. If the NDIS declines to fund plan management in your plan, you can raise this at your next review or request an internal review of the decision.

What the plan manager does with your other budgets: The plan manager receives the funding in your Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets (except any self-managed or NDIA-managed portions). Providers send invoices to the plan manager, who checks the invoices against your plan and pays them on your behalf. The plan manager keeps a running record of expenditure and provides you with monthly budget statements.

Self-management versus plan management: Self-management gives you full control over payments and provider choice, but requires you to manage invoices, payments, and record-keeping yourself. Plan management handles the financial administration while still giving you freedom to choose any registered or unregistered provider.

A plan manager handles the financial administration of your NDIS plan. They receive invoices from your providers, check them against your approved supports, process payment to the provider, and maintain a clear record of your spending across all support categories.

When you start with a plan manager, they will set up your account, confirm your plan details, and explain how their invoicing system works. Most plan managers have an online portal or app where you can submit invoices, check your budget in real time, and download statements. The quality of this technology varies between providers and is worth comparing.

Your plan manager should pay invoices promptly. The NDIS requires plan managers to pay invoices within five business days of receiving them from a participant. Delays in payment affect your relationship with providers and can disrupt your services. Ask plan managers about their typical payment turnaround time.

A good plan manager also communicates proactively. They will alert you when a support budget is running low, flag any invoices that appear incorrect or outside your plan, and remind you when your plan is approaching its end date so you can prepare for a review.

Plan managers do not tell you which providers to use or what supports to access. Their role is financial, not clinical or case management. If you need help choosing providers or coordinating complex supports, a support coordinator is the appropriate service for that.