What does a plan manager do and how can they help?
A plan manager is an NDIS-funded provider who helps participants manage the financial side of your NDIS plan. They pay invoices on your behalf, keep track of your spending and update you on your budget, so you don’t have to do everything yourself. That means less time on admin and more time to focus on your goals.
When you choose to work with a plan manager, they will:
- Pay service providers on your behalf so you don’t have to manage invoices
- Check and process bills from your providers
- Track how your NDIS funding is spent and let you know what’s remaining
- Provide regular statements and updates so you always know where your budget is at
- Help you understand your plan budgets and answer questions about your funding
Having a plan manager gives you peace of mind and more freedom to focus on what matters most because they take care of the paperwork, claiming and budgeting for you.
What is NDIS 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 budget is used but with the support of a plan manage to handle invoices and bookkeeping.
With plan management, the NDIS funds a plan manager to:
- Process invoices
- Pay providers on your behalf
- Provide ongoing support and reporting so you always know what’s left in your budget
Plan management gives you control over your NDIS funding without the stress of managing all the admin yourself. There are no out‑of‑pocket costs, because the NDIS includes extra funding in your Plan under Capacity Building – Improved Life Choices to cover the cost of a plan manager.
Plan management also gives you the flexibility to work with both registered and non-registered providers, while removing the burden of admin. You stay in control of your supports, while your plan manager ensures providers are paid accurately and on time.
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: You have control over how your budgets are used in line with the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria. You can also approve each payment before it’s made.
Less administration: Your plan manager takes care of the time-consuming tasks like processing invoices and record-keeping, so you can focus on achieving your goals.
Convenience and peace of mind: Your plan manager tracks your budgets across different categories and provides regular statements so you always know how much you’ve spent and what’s remaining.
Provider choice: Plan management gives you the flexibility to use both registered and non-registered providers. This is especially helpful if you live in a regional or rural area where options may be limited.
No cost to you: There are no out-of-pocket expenses. The NDIS adds extra funding to your plan specifically to cover the cost of having a plan manager.
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 plan management compares with other options:
Plan managed.
A plan manager like Leap in! helps you manage your NDIS budget
All of the good bits of being self managed without having to worry about budgeting, record keeping and paperwork
Provider invoices are handled and paid on your behalf
The NDIS adds extra funds to your plan to cover the cost of your plan manager.
Self managed.
You manage your own invoices and records
You can use any provider that meets the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria
You must open a new bank account just for the NDIS
You’ll need to use a computer or fill in forms to submit claims and keep full records of all invoices and receipts.
NDIA managed.
The NDIA takes care of managing your plan
You can only use NDIS registered providers and invoices are submitted directly to the NDIA
You can check in on the MyPlace NDIS online portal to your spending and remaining funds
Less flexibility but simple for people who 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.
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.