Guide
NDIS Plan Management Guide
The three ways to manage an NDIS plan — agency, plan and self — explained without the jargon. With a recommendation on which suits which situation.
Guide
NDIS Plan Management Guide
The three ways to manage an NDIS plan — agency, plan and self — explained without the jargon. With a recommendation on which suits which situation.
The three options at a glance
NDIA-managed (also called Agency-managed)
The NDIA pays your providers directly. You can only use NDIS-registered providers like Helping Haven.
Pros: Zero admin. Maximum oversight. The NDIA chases providers if invoices are wrong.
Cons: Limited to registered providers. Some providers struggle with the NDIA payment delay.
Best for: Participants who want simplicity and don’t need the wider provider pool.
Plan-managed
A plan manager (a separate provider) holds your funding and pays providers on your behalf. You can use both registered and unregistered providers.
Pros: Most flexibility on providers. No admin for you. Plan manager handles all invoicing.
Cons: You have to choose a plan manager. The fee comes from your plan but doesn’t reduce your support funding (it’s an additional NDIS-paid line item).
Best for: Most participants. Plan-managed is the default recommendation we make for new families because it combines provider flexibility with zero admin.
Self-managed
You hold the funding. You pay providers yourself, claim back from the NDIA via the participant portal.
Pros: Maximum flexibility — including hiring support workers directly. Best for participants and families who want full control.
Cons: Real admin time. You manage receipts, claims and reports. Compliance falls on you.
Best for: Participants and families who are organised, comfortable with admin, and want to direct-hire workers (e.g., a family member or a known person from the community).
Mixed plans
Many participants run a mixed plan — some line items agency-managed, others plan-managed or self-managed. It’s worth asking your planner whether that suits you.
What changes for daily-living supports?
Almost nothing. Helping Haven works with all three management types. Our pricing follows the NDIS Pricing Arrangements either way. The only practical difference is who pays our invoices and how often.
How to change management type
You can ask to change at your next plan review. Your LAC or planner will discuss the options with you. There’s no penalty for changing.