How to Manage Your NDIS Plan: Self, Plan, or NDIA-Managed?
How to Manage Your NDIS Plan: Self, Plan, or NDIA-Managed?
- November 24, 2025
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can sometimes feel like a bit of a maze. One of the first big decisions you’ll need to make as you get started is how to manage your NDIS plan. Whether you’re just beginning or you’re already a participant looking to make changes, understanding your options is key to getting the most out of your funding and making the process work for you.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through the three main options available for managing your NDIS plan: self-management, plan management, and NDIA-managed funding. This will help you feel more confident in your choice, knowing exactly what each option involves, and what might suit your needs best.
1. Self-Managed NDIS Plans: Take Full Control of Your Funding
If you like the idea of having complete control over how your NDIS funding is spent, self-management could be the right choice for you. This option allows you to decide exactly where your funds go, what services you use, and how your supports are delivered. It’s all about giving you the freedom to manage your funding in the way that works best for you.
What Does Self-Management Involve?
When you self-manage your NDIS plan, you’re taking the reins. You’ll be responsible for:
- Choosing providers: You can hire both registered and unregistered providers, giving you a wider range of services to choose from.
- Managing your budget: You’ll need to keep track of your funding and make sure you’re spending it in line with your goals and the guidelines set out in your NDIS plan.
- Record keeping: It’s your responsibility to store all invoices, receipts, and records for up to 5 years, in case you need to provide them later.
- Negotiating prices: You can even negotiate the cost of your services, potentially saving you money and getting the best value out of your plan.
The flexibility of self-management means you can think creatively about how you use your funding to get the best results. Whether it’s finding new services, negotiating better rates, or employing your own support workers, self-management offers you the ultimate freedom.
Why Choose Self-Management?
- Full control and flexibility: You get to choose how your funds are spent, and which providers and supports best suit your needs.
- Creativity in spending: You can creatively use your funds in ways that are not always available under other management options.
- Direct employment of staff: If you prefer, you can even hire your own support workers or carers, putting you in charge of the whole process.
What to Keep in Mind
- Increased responsibility: Self-management does require more time and effort on your part. You’ll need to manage invoices, payments, and keep track of your budget closely.
- Potential for errors: Without professional help, there’s a higher chance of making mistakes with claims or payments, which means it’s important to stay organised.
- Time-consuming: If you’re juggling multiple providers or complex needs, this option can be a little more work.
Self-management is ideal if you feel confident handling the administrative side of things and want the freedom to make decisions about your supports and services.
2. Plan-Managed NDIS Plans: Support With Flexibility
If you want more flexibility than NDIA-managed funding but don’t want to take on all the responsibility of self-management, then plan management might be the sweet spot. This option allows you to work with a Plan Manager, who helps you manage the financial side of things while still giving you the flexibility to choose your own service providers.
What Does Plan Management Involve?
A Plan Manager handles all the financial and administrative tasks associated with your NDIS plan, such as:
- Payment management: Your Plan Manager will pay your providers directly on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about managing invoices or keeping track of payments.
- Budget tracking: You’ll receive regular reports that show how much you’ve spent and how much remains in your budget.
- Access to a wider range of providers: Unlike NDIA-managed plans, you can work with both registered and unregistered providers, which gives you more choice.
With plan management, you get the best of both worlds—you can still choose your preferred providers, but without the headache of doing all the financial admin yourself.
Why Choose Plan Management?
- Reduced admin burden: You can leave the financial side to your Plan Manager, giving you more time and energy to focus on other aspects of your life.
- More provider choice: You can access both registered and unregistered providers, which gives you more options for tailored services.
- Budget transparency: Regular budget reports will keep you in the loop and help you manage your funds more effectively.
What to Keep in Mind
- Additional costs: While the NDIS covers the cost of Plan Management, it is an added expense, which might not be ideal for everyone.
- Less control over finances: Although you still choose your providers, the Plan Manager manages all financial aspects, which means you give up some control over that part of the process.
Plan management is great if you want to reduce the stress of managing your NDIS plan’s finances while still having the flexibility to choose who provides your services.
3. NDIA-Managed Funding: Simple and Stress-Free
If you prefer a hands-off approach to managing your NDIS plan, then NDIA-managed funding might be the way to go. With this option, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) handles all of the payments, record-keeping, and budgeting for you. It’s the easiest and most structured option, perfect for those who want minimal admin involvement.
What Does NDIA-Managed Funding Involve?
With NDIA-managed funding, the NDIA manages all the financial transactions related to your plan. Here’s what to expect:
- Registered providers only: You can choose only NDIS-registered providers, which are vetted by the NDIS for quality and safety.
- Automatic payments: Providers submit claims directly to the NDIA, so you don’t need to handle invoices or worry about making payments.
- Budget tracking: You can easily check your budget and see what has been claimed through the myplace portal.
- No bookkeeping: The NDIA keeps all records of your spending, so you don’t have to store receipts or worry about audits.
Why Choose NDIA-Managed Funding?
- Minimal administrative work: The NDIA takes care of all payments and record-keeping, which can be a huge relief for participants who don’t want to manage the financial side of their plan.
- Easy budget tracking: The myplace portal gives you a clear view of your budget and spending.
- Simplicity: If you want a simple, predictable setup, NDIA management offers the most straightforward option.
What to Keep in Mind
- Limited provider choices: You can only work with NDIS-registered providers, which limits your options compared to self-management or plan management.
- Less flexibility: You don’t have the ability to negotiate prices or hire unregistered providers.
- No creative spending: Your funding must be used strictly according to your plan and the NDIS guidelines.
If you’re looking for a simple and structured approach, NDIA-managed funding is the way to go. It’s perfect for those who want to focus on the support they need, without getting bogged down in the financial details.
So, Which Option is Right for You?
Choosing how to manage your NDIS plan is an important decision, and it all comes down to what suits you best. Here’s a quick recap:
- Self-management: Perfect if you want total control over your funding and prefer to handle the financial side yourself.
- Plan management: Ideal if you want a bit of help with finances but still want the flexibility to choose providers.
- NDIA-managed funding: The best option if you prefer a stress-free, hands-off approach with the NDIA managing everything for you.
In Sydney, where there’s a range of services and providers, plan management is a popular choice, as it offers a good balance of support and freedom. But whichever option you choose, remember that the goal is to help you live a more independent and fulfilling life with the right support in place.
If you’re unsure about which NDIS management option is right for you—or simply need expert guidance along the way—having the right support can make all the difference. For participants seeking a reliable NDIS support coordinator in Sydney, Concept Care is here to help. As a leading NDIS-registered service provider, we offer personalised in-home and community support delivered by experienced support workers and a dedicated care management team available around the clock.
Whether you need support coordination, assistance with daily activities, or guidance navigating your NDIS plan, Concept Care is here to support you every step of the way.