Self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed: which NDIS funding option suits you?

Short answer: With NDIA-managed funding, the NDIA pays your providers and you can only use registered providers. With plan-managed funding, a plan manager pays your providers for you and you can use registered or unregistered providers, within price limits. With self-managed funding, you pay providers yourself and claim from the NDIS, with the most flexibility and the most paperwork. You can mix all three and change at any time.

Key points

• Plan management is funded separately — it doesn't reduce your other supports.
• Price limits apply to NDIA-managed and plan-managed funding, not self-managed.
• You can use different options for different budgets.
• From October 2027, plan managers will come from a trusted panel.

The three options side by side

NDIA-managed

The NDIA pays registered providers directly from your plan. You can see your budget and claims in the my NDIS portal or app.

Good for: people who want the least admin and are happy to choose from registered providers.

Watch out for: less choice, especially in regional areas, and you can't use unregistered providers.

Plan-managed

A plan manager — a registered provider you choose — pays your invoices, tracks your spending and sends you statements. The NDIA adds money for plan management to your plan, so it doesn't come out of your other supports. The price limit for the monthly plan management fee is $104.45 in 2026-27.

Good for: people who want more choice of providers without doing the bookkeeping.

Watch out for: your plan manager can only pay up to the price limits, so you'll need providers who charge within them. Ask how quickly they pay invoices and how you'll see your balance.

What's changing: from October 2027, the NDIA plans to set up a trusted panel of plan managers, with a 6-month transition. If your plan manager isn't on the panel, you'll need to choose another.

Self-managed

You (or your nominee or child representative) pay providers, then claim the money from the NDIS through the portal or app — or claim first and pay the invoice when it arrives.

Good for: people who want the most control: you can use unregistered providers for most supports, negotiate prices, and employ support workers directly or through a platform.

Watch out for:

• You must keep records — invoices, receipts and bank statements. The 2026 law changes set a 3-year record-keeping period for participants, though some NDIS guides still say 5 years. Keeping them for 5 years is the safe option.
• If you employ workers directly, you take on employer obligations such as insurance, super and tax.
• You need to show your spending is on supports in your plan and is value for money.
• From December 2026, claims must be made within 90 days of the support being delivered.

Can I mix them?

Yes. A common setup is self-managing your core supports (so you can choose your own support workers) while plan-managing capacity building, or NDIA-managing capital supports like assistive technology. Some supports may be NDIA-managed if the NDIA decides that's needed — your plan will say.

How to change your option

Ask the NDIA at any time — call 1800 800 110, ask your local area coordinator, or ask at your plan meeting. Changing your management type is usually done as a plan variation, so you don't need a full reassessment. See how to change your NDIS plan.

Choosing providers once you've decided

Your management type shapes who you can use. On Choosable, you can search providers and check each profile, or use Get Matched and tell us your management type so we only suggest providers who fit.

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