What Is Plan Management & Why Choose It?

What is plan management?

Plan management is one of the ways you can manage the funding in your NDIS Plan. It gives you choice and control over how your NDIS budget is used but with the support of a ‘plan manager’ to handle invoices and bookkeeping.

A plan manager pays invoices on your behalf, keeps track of your spending and keeps you updated on your budget, so you don’t have to manage everything yourself. That means less time on admin and more time to focus on your goals.

Anyone can choose to have plan management added to their NDIS Plan. There are no out-of-pocket costs.

The benefits of plan management?

When you have plan management, the NDIS funds a provider like Leap in! to help you manage your budget and pay your providers. Think of it like your own NDIS-funded bookkeeper and support team.

You stay in control of your NDIS budgets
You can choose any provider, registered or not
You have the power to approve each payment before it’s made
Billing issues are handled for you
There’s no need to manage financial records.

Comparing the ways to manage your NDIS plan.

You can choose how your NDIS funding is managed: plan managed, self managed, NDIA managed or a combination. Here’s how each option works:

Plan managed.

When a plan manager helps manage your NDIS budget, it’s called ‘plan management’ or being ‘plan managed’.

You get choice and control over how you spend your NDIS funds with the support of a plan manager who can pay invoices on your behalf and help you keep track of your funding
All of the good bits of being self managed without having to worry about budgeting, record keeping and paperwork
The NDIS adds extra funds to your plan to cover the cost of your plan manager
Your invoices can go directly to your plan manager who coordinates claiming from the NDIS and pays your providers.

Self managed.

This is where you manage your plan yourself. You look after all your own invoices and record-keeping.

You can use your funds for any providers or mainstream supports and services as long as they meet the NDIS ‘reasonable and necessary’ test
You’ll need to open a new bank account just for the NDIS
You’ll need to use a computer or fill in forms to get the money paid back to your bank account for your supports
You need to keep full records of all invoices and receipts.

NDIA managed.

The NDIA takes care of managing your plan. This is called ‘NDIA managed’ or ‘Agency managed’.

You can only use NDIS registered providers
After a service has been delivered, invoices are submitted directly to the NDIS and the NDIS pays the provider directly
You can check in on the MyPlace NDIS online portal to see how you’re tracking with your funds, see what you’ve spent and how much is remaining
Being agency managed offers the least amount of flexibility. However it’s a good option for people who don’t require much flexibility and only want to use registered providers.

What is an NDIS plan manager?

A plan manager is a provider funded by the NDIS to help an NDIS participant manage their plan budget. They receive and pay invoices, keep track of spending and help you understand how your funds are being used.

Plan managers give you the flexibility to work with registered and non-registered providers, while removing the burden of admin. You keep control your supports, while the plan manager ensures your providers are paid accurately and on time.

Having a plan manager doesn’t cost you anything. The NDIS puts additional funding into your plan under Capacity Building – Improved Life Choices. This covers setting up with your plan manager and the ongoing admin costs, including support and invoice payments.

Endorsing your plan manager.

Once plan management is included in your NDIS Plan, you’ll need to let the NDIS know who you’ve chosen as your plan manager. This is called ‘endorsing’ your plan manager and it must be done before they can access your budgets or pay invoices.

You can endorse your plan manager by:

Calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and providing their provider registration number
Emailing the NDIS at [email protected]
Speaking with your NDIS planner, Early Childhood Partner or Local Area Coordinator.

Is plan management right for me?

If you answer yes to the following, having a plan manager may be right for you:

Do you want to buy supports from non-NDIS registered providers such as local cleaners, independent support workers and other services?
Would you like to have freedom of being self managed without the admin?
Would you like someone to assist you to find supports, set up service agreements, track goals and help you make the most of your plan?

How Leap in! can help.

Helping Members navigate the NDIS is at the heart of what we do, and we take this role seriously. We’re here to support you every step of your NDIS journey. We’re more than just plan managers. We’re NDIS experts and part of your support crew.

Expert knowledge and advice.

Our team knows the NDIS inside out.

Pre-planning sessions.

We’ll help you prepare for your plan meetings.

Personalised support.

We take the time to understand your unique needs.

Lived experience.

Many of the Leap in! Crew have first hand experience with the NDIS.

Award-winning.

We won ‘Most Outstanding Plan Management’ in 2023 and 2024.

Budget tracking.

Our award-winning app helps you track and keep an eye on your spending.

Same day sign up – join today, claim tomorrow!

Not all plan managers are the same.

Why wait? Join Members across Australia who are enjoying the benefits of Leap in! plan management.

Great advice from a team experienced in NDIS and the Early Childhood Approach
Free NDIS ebooks on NDIS Essentials, Future Planning and more
Connections to providers near you, matched to your available NDIS budgets
Budget Health Checks with over and under spend alerts
Exclusive Member Benefits Club with great discounts and offers
Full access to the free award-winning NDIS planning and budgeting app
And fast payment of invoices.

NDIS Plan management FAQs.

Plan management is a funded support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how NDIS plan management works.

How do I know I've chosen the right plan manager?

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do they turn around my invoices fast so my providers can be paid quickly?
Do they have a digital platform where I can review my claims, payments and service agreements 24/7?
Do they have an extensive network of providers?
Can they help me find local supports without a support coordinator?
Do they offer personalised service
Can they help with setting and achieving goals?
Do they offer a support team to get the most out of my Plan?

If you answered yes to most of these, you're on the right track.

Can I switch to Leap in! from another plan manager?

Yes! If you're not happy with your current plan manager you can make the switch to a new plan manager any time. You don’t have to wait until your Plan ends or a review is due.

It’s easy to change to Leap in! plan management. Here’s how:

Check the notice period you need to provide to your current plan manager
Notify your current plan manager that you wish to cease services with them and ask them to confirm what date your service bookings will be released
Sign up with Leap in! over the phone or complete our online form. You don’t need to wait until your exit period has finished to sign up with Leap in!
Contact the NDIS Contact Centre on 1800 800 110, your NDIS planner, Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner to tell them you would like to endorse Leap in! as your plan manager.

What option should I choose if I want to use any NDIS provider?

If you want to use both registered and unregistered providers, you'll need to be plan managed or self managed.

Keep in mind that you can choose plan management for all or part of your NDIS Plan, in whatever combination you like. It depends on how hands-on you want to be with managing each aspect of your plan.

What is a combination managed plan?

A combination managed plan is when your NDIS Plan is managed using more than one type of budget management: self managed, plan managed or NDIA managed. This option gives you flexibility and control over how your funding is used, while allowing you to get support where you need it.

How do I get plan management in my NDIS Plan?

Getting plan management funding included in your NDIS Plan is easy. You simply need to ask the NDIS for it at your NDIS Plan or Plan Reassessment meeting. You can also call the NDIS any time and ask them to include plan management in your plan.

At your NDIS Plan meeting: If you are attending your first NDIS Plan meeting, you may be asked how you want to look after the money in your plan. This is when you can choose plan management for all or part of your plan. It is possible that you will not be asked how you want your plan to be managed, so you might need to mention that you would like to use a plan manager.

At your plan reassessment: A plan reassessment is the ideal time to switch how your plan is managed. You can switch all or part of your funds to plan management. If you have not had plan management included in an NDIS Plan before, you will need to tell your planner or LAC that you would like to have a plan manager for your next plan.

Don’t want to wait? You can change during your current NDIS Plan. If you’re in the middle of an existing plan and would like to change from being Agency or self managed, you’ll need to contact the NDIS and ask to change your plan management type. You can do this by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

Can I use non-registered providers if I’m plan managed?

Yes. One of the key benefits of using plan management services is the ability to use both registered and unregistered providers.

What is NDIS plan management?

What is plan management?

Plan management is one of the ways you can manage the funding in your NDIS Plan. It gives you choice and control over how your NDIS budget is used but with the support of a ‘plan manager’ to handle invoices and bookkeeping.

The benefits of plan management?

When you have plan management, the NDIS funds a provider like Leap in! to help you manage your budget and pay your providers. Think of it like your own NDIS-funded bookkeeper and support team.