What Is NDIS Plan Management?
NDIS plan management is a service where a registered plan manager handles the financial administration of your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan. Instead of you or the NDIA processing invoices and payments, your plan manager does it for you.
A plan manager is not a support worker or support coordinator. Their role is strictly financial — processing invoices from your service providers, making payments on your behalf, tracking your budget, and providing you with regular financial statements.
How Does Plan Management Work?
When you have plan management included in your NDIS plan, the process is straightforward:
- You choose your providers — both NDIS-registered and non-registered providers are available to you
- Your providers send invoices to your plan manager (not to you)
- Your plan manager verifies the invoices against NDIS pricing arrangements and your plan budget
- Payment is made to the provider, typically within 2 business days
- Your plan manager claims the amount from the NDIA through the myplace portal
- You receive regular statements showing your spending and remaining budget
You stay in control of which providers you use and what supports you access. Your plan manager handles the paperwork.
Is Plan Management Free?
Yes. Plan management is funded by the NDIS under the Improved Life Choices category. The NDIA allocates a separate line item in your plan specifically for plan management fees. This funding does not come out of your Core, Capacity Building, or Capital budgets — it is additional funding.
This means choosing plan management does not reduce your funding for other supports.
Who Can Access Plan Management?
Any NDIS participant can request plan management. It can be included in your plan at your initial planning meeting, at a plan review, or through a plan variation request. You do not need a specific reason — it is your right to choose how your plan is managed.
Plan management is available to participants across Australia, including those in metropolitan, regional, and remote areas.
NDIA-Managed vs Plan-Managed vs Self-Managed
There are three ways to manage the funding in your NDIS plan:
NDIA-managed (agency-managed):
- The NDIA pays providers directly
- You can only use registered NDIS providers
- You have less flexibility in provider choice
- The NDIA handles all claims and payments
Plan-managed:
- Your plan manager processes invoices and pays providers
- You can use both registered and non-registered providers
- You have maximum choice and flexibility
- Your plan manager tracks your budget and provides statements
Self-managed:
- You process invoices and claim from the NDIA yourself
- You can use both registered and non-registered providers
- You take on full administrative and compliance responsibility
- You must keep detailed financial records
Plan management gives you the benefits of provider choice without the administrative burden of self-management.
Benefits of Plan Management
- More provider choice — access registered and non-registered providers
- No paperwork — your plan manager handles invoicing, payments, and claims
- Budget visibility — regular statements show exactly where your funding is going
- Compliance assurance — your plan manager ensures all claims meet NDIS pricing rules
- No cost to you — funded separately by the NDIS
- Expert guidance — your plan manager can help you understand your funding categories
How to Get Plan Management in Your NDIS Plan
If plan management is not currently in your plan, you can request it:
- At your plan review or reassessment — tell your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner that you want plan management included
- Through a plan variation — contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to request a change to your current plan
- At your initial planning meeting — if you are new to the NDIS, ask for plan management during your first plan discussion
Once approved, you can choose any registered plan manager. At Ripper Plan Management, we make the transition simple — complete a referral and we handle everything from there.
Why Choose Ripper Plan Management?
Ripper Plan Management is a registered NDIS plan manager (Provider No: 4050158206) operating under Fin Plan Supports Pty Ltd. We focus on what matters:
- Fast invoice processing — within 2 business days
- Clear, regular financial statements
- Personal, responsive support
- No hidden fees, no commissions
- National coverage — metro, regional, and remote
Get started with a referral today or call us on 03 9022 1229.