Managing your NDIS Funds

When you receive National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you can choose the way you manage your NDIS funding which is provided to you by the NDIA.

You need to have an approved NDIS plan before you begin to receive the NDIS. You can find out more about how to access the NDIS and apply for a plan here.

Before your NDIS planning meeting, you should have an idea on how you want to manage your NDIS funds. This is because, depending on the NDIS funding model you choose, there may need to be allowances made in your approved NDIS plan.

Who can manage my NDIS plan?

Your NDIS funds can be managed by:

the NDIA (agency managed)
a registered plan manager (plan managed)
yourself (self managed)

You can also use a combination of any of these three methods.

What does agency managed mean? (NDIA Agency Managed Plans)

Within the NDIA (Agency Managed) plan option, the NDIA will pay your support providers directly on your behalf. Your support providers can then make claims on the portal for payments.

Things to consider with NDIA (Agency Managed) plans:

All support providers must be registered as an NDIS provider. If they are not registered, NDIA may be unable to pay them, leaving you out of pocket. This may also limit your choice of service providers.
You are able to monitor all service bookings and claims made via the participant portal and can challenge or question any claims if you believe them to be incorrect or made in error.

What does NDIS plan managed mean? (Plan Management/plan managed plans)

Under this type of NDIS plan management, you can choose any organisation who is registered with NDIA to provide you with Plan Management services.

Once you have received a service from your service provider they then give you an invoice directly or send your Plan Manager the invoice. Your Plan Manager will then pay each invoice and be responsible for claiming these funds back from NDIA.

Things to consider with NDIS plan management:

The organisation that manages your plan (your Plan Manager) must be registered with the NDIA.
You may have access to a greater number of service providers as they don’t necessarily need to be registered with NDIA, however they still need to be a professionally registered provider.
Your Plan Manager will charge fees to manage your plan, however NDIA will provide you with additional funding to cover this and pay your Plan Manager.
At any time, you are able to monitor all service bookings and claims made via the participant portal and can challenge or question any claims if you believe them to be incorrect or made in error.

Windermere are registered with NDIA as a Plan Manager and can assist you with your Plan Management needs. Contact our helpful team for more information 1300 946 337.

How do I self manage my NDIS plan? (self managed plans)

You can choose to manage the finances of your NDIS plan yourself.

Under a self-managed plan, you are responsible for managing all invoices, payments and claims, and keeping accurate up to date records of all transactions.

You can make claims through the online NDIA participant portal.

Things to consider when you self manage your NDIS plan:

Your service providers do not need to be registered with the NDIA, but they must still be professionally registered.
You will not be provided with additional funding to manage your own plan.
Some service providers may require immediate payment so you may need to arrange payment to them and then claim back the funds from NDIA. This may take a few days.
You monitor all service bookings and claims via the participant portal so you can track payments and claims.

Did you know you can also use a combination of any of the above methods?

**Windermere is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people** For more information, see our Protecting Children Policy here.