Self-Managed vs Plan-Managed vs NDIA-Managed: Which NDIS Option Is Right for You?
By FindMyHelp Editorial Team · Reviewed against official sources on
Every NDIS plan has to be managed somehow: someone needs to pay providers and keep records. There are three options: self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed (sometimes called "agency-managed"). You can mix them in the same plan. The option you choose affects which providers you can use, how much paperwork you do, and how much control you have. Here's a side-by-side comparison.
The three options at a glance
| Self-managed | Plan-managed | NDIA-managed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays providers | You (or your nominee or child representative) | Your plan manager | The NDIA |
| Registered providers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unregistered providers | Yes | Yes | No |
| NDIS price limits | You can negotiate prices | Limits apply | Limits apply |
| Record keeping | You keep invoices and receipts | Plan manager | NDIA |
| Directly employ staff | Yes | No | No |
| Extra cost to you | None | None. Plan manager is funded in your plan | None |
| Paperwork for you | Most | Some (authorising claims, choosing providers) | Least |
Sources: NDIS – self-managed; plan-managed; NDIA-managed; Pricing arrangements
Self-managed funding
Self-managed funding is when you, your plan nominee or your child representative manage your NDIS funding (NDIS).
Benefits
- Choice over what supports you buy, who provides them and how
- Use registered and unregistered providers
- Negotiate prices for your supports
- Directly employ or contract your own staff
- Control over budgets, payments and records
- Freedom to be innovative and find the best value
Your responsibilities
You'll need to manage your funding so it lasts for the whole plan, spend it in line with your plan, make clear agreements with providers, decide how much to pay, claim and pay on time, keep invoices and receipts, and show how your funding helped you pursue your goals. You pay providers through the participant portals or my NDIS app. The NDIA can't pay self-managed providers for you.
When you can't self-manage
You can't self-manage if you're an insolvent under administration, have been convicted of fraud or dishonesty, or of an offence punishable by 2 or more years in prison, or if the NDIA thinks self-managing would pose an unreasonable risk to you or that funding is unlikely to be spent in line with your plan. The same rules apply to a nominee or child representative (NDIS).
Best for: people who want maximum control and flexibility and are comfortable with admin, including families who want to hire their own support workers.
Plan-managed funding
Plan-managed funding is when a plan manager manages your NDIS funding. They handle payments and record keeping, and can help you build skills to manage your funding (NDIS).
What a plan manager does
- keeps records of your supports, such as invoices and receipts
- pays providers from your plan through the NDIS portals
- gives you reports on how you're spending your funding
- helps you build your plan management skills.
It's funded in your plan
If your budgets are plan-managed, your plan includes funding to pay a plan manager. In the 2026-27 NDIS Pricing Schedule, plan management is charged as a monthly fee with a set maximum. See the current limit on our Plan Management – Monthly Fee (14_034_0127_8_3) price page (NDIS – Pricing arrangements).
Choice of providers
The NDIS says how your plan is managed "doesn't limit your choices". Plan-managed participants can choose registered or unregistered providers. Price limits in the pricing schedule apply to plan-managed supports.
Your responsibilities
Even with a plan manager, you're still responsible for knowing how much you've spent, only buying supports in line with your plan, choosing your providers (including your plan manager), authorising claims, making a service agreement with your plan manager, and managing that relationship.
Your plan manager must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS).
Best for: people who want the flexibility of unregistered providers without doing the payments and paperwork themselves.
NDIA-managed funding
NDIA-managed funding is when the NDIA pays providers and keeps records for you (NDIS).
How it works
- You choose your providers, but they must be registered. You can't use unregistered providers for NDIA-managed funding.
- Providers claim through the provider portal. The NDIA usually pays within 2 to 3 business days if the claim comes from one of your "my providers" and is correct.
- If a provider who isn't one of your recorded providers makes a claim, the NDIA will SMS you to check. You can accept or decline in the my NDIS portal or by calling 1800 800 110.
Scam warning: The NDIA says it will never ask for personal information, ask you to reply to the SMS, or include a link when it texts you about a claim.
When the NDIA may decide
The NDIA may NDIA-manage your plan if you don't want to or can't self-manage, have been bankrupt, or have certain convictions. It may also do so if you're spending your plan too quickly or on things that aren't NDIS supports.
Best for: people who want the least admin and are happy to use registered providers only, or anyone unsure where to start.
Can I mix options?
Yes. For example, you can self-manage your core supports and have the rest plan-managed or NDIA-managed (NDIS).
How to change how your plan is managed
- You can ask to change how your funding is managed at any time, and there's no limit on how often.
- If that's the only change, the NDIA can usually do it with a plan variation, without a full plan reassessment.
- You can ask for a plan manager at any time during your plan.
- Talk to your my NDIS contact or call 1800 800 110.
Sources: NDIS – self-managed; NDIS – plan-managed; NDIS – NDIA-managed
Which should you choose? Quick decision guide
- "I want to hire my own support worker directly." Self-manage, at least for those supports.
- "I want unregistered providers, but no paperwork." Plan-manage.
- "I want the simplest option and I'm happy with registered providers." NDIA-manage.
- "I'm not sure." The NDIA suggests you might start NDIA-managed and change later. Many families find plan management a good middle ground.
A support coordinator can help you weigh up the options. See our guide Support Coordination Explained.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between self-managed and plan-managed NDIS?
With self-management, you pay providers and keep records yourself. With plan management, a registered plan manager pays providers and keeps records for you. Both let you use unregistered providers.
Does a plan manager cost me anything?
No. Funding for a plan manager is included in your plan. There's a maximum monthly fee. See our plan management fee price page for the current limit.
Can NDIA-managed participants use unregistered providers?
No. NDIA-managed funding can only be used with registered providers.
Can I negotiate prices with providers?
Self-managed participants can negotiate prices. NDIS price limits apply to NDIA-managed and plan-managed supports.
How do I switch to plan management?
Talk to your my NDIS contact or call 1800 800 110. You can change at any time, usually through a plan variation.
Can I self-manage only part of my plan?
Yes. You can self-manage some budgets and have others plan-managed or NDIA-managed.
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This guide is general information, not financial advice. Always check the NDIS website for your situation.