Understanding the Role of an NDIS Plan Manager
- carli215
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Navigating your NDIS funding can feel like learning a new language — and that’s where a Plan Manager can make a huge difference. Whether you’re new to the NDIS or just tired of handling invoices yourself, a Plan Manager can help you stay organised, stay in budget, and make the most of your plan.
In this post, we’ll break down what a Plan Manager does, how they support you, and when it might be time to find one that suits your needs.
🧾 So… What Is a Plan Manager?
A Plan Manager is a financial intermediary funded by the NDIS to help you:
Pay providers on your behalf
Manage and track your budget
Keep records for your NDIS audits
Give you monthly statements
Offer support and education around NDIS finances
They don’t make decisions for you — they simply handle the money side of your plan so you don’t have to.
📊 Do I Have to Pay for a Plan Manager?
Nope! If you’re plan-managed, the NDIS allocates separate funding specifically for Plan Management. It doesn’t take away from your support budgets, and you don’t need to pay out of pocket.
To access a Plan Manager, your plan just needs to say you’re “plan-managed.” If it doesn’t — you can request this at your next planning meeting or plan reassessment.
⚖ Plan-Managed vs. Agency-Managed vs. Self-Managed
Funding Type | Who Pays Providers | Who You Can Use |
Plan-Managed | Plan Manager | NDIS-registered + unregistered providers |
Agency-Managed | NDIA | NDIS-registered only |
Self-Managed | You | NDIS-registered + unregistered providers |
Plan management gives you the best of both worlds: flexibility and support.
💼 What Doesn’t a Plan Manager Do?
It’s important to know what Plan Managers don’t do:
They don’t find supports or services for you
They don’t approve purchases or decide what’s “reasonable and necessary”
They’re not support coordinators (though they may work closely with them)
Their job is to manage invoices, payments, and budgeting — not service delivery.
🔍 Choosing the Right Plan Manager
Not all Plan Managers offer the same level of service. Some things to look for include:
User-friendly dashboards or apps to track your spending
Fast invoice turnaround times
Real humans you can talk to when something doesn’t look right
Clear communication around what’s been paid and what’s pending
🙌 Plan Managers We Love Working With
We’re not affiliated with these providers — but we’ve had great experiences working alongside them:
As always, call around and choose the option that suits your family’s needs best!
You can also check out our NDIS Provider Directory. It's a carefully curated list of small, local (to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast) providers, including Plan Managers.
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