Incorporating Plan Management into an NDIS Plan

Getting the Facts Straight!

Since the NDIS inception, there have been many misunderstandings around Plan Management and how to incorporate this type of financial service in your NDIS plan.  So let’s finally set the record straight once and for all: Plan Management very simply allows you to track spending and approvals in real time with no lost invoices to worry about.

Every NDIS participant has the right to have Plan Management included in their NDIS plan. This is covered by the NDIS Act, article s.43(2), which states that the “NDIA must give effect to a participant’s plan management request”.

• You don’t have to explain why you have chosen Plan Management. Simply requesting plan or financial management is enough to have this complimentary service included in your plan.

• Plan Management doesn’t cost you anything. The NDIS covers all the associated costs when it is included in your NDIS plan under the category ‘Improved Life Choices.’

• Having Plan Management included in your NDIS plan will not affect any of your other funding. The fact is, an additional NDIS funding amount will be included to cover having chosen the option of this financial management service.

• If you ask for Plan Management to be included, this will automatically be incorporated into your NDIS plan. You also have the choice of what components of your plan you wish to have Plan Managed, which will be unique for everyone. This can vary from asking for your entire plan to be Plan Managed, or alternatively, you may choose only specific sections of your plan to be managed in this way.

Plan Management is very different to Support Coordination

• Support Coordination does not include any support around financially managing your NDIS funds. Your Support Coordinator instead helps you find and connect with service providers and coordinates these supports with you. If you so choose, you can nominate your Support Coordinator to approve invoices on your behalf prior your plan manager arranging payment. Plan Management is an additional component to Support Coordination, all you need to do is request this complimentary service at your planning meeting or plan review.

• Should you decide, at any stage of your plan to nominate a Plan Manager, this is a very good reason for a plan review to be arranged. As mentioned in the NDIS Act, the NDIA cannot refuse this request.

• Plan Management is called a ‘Capacity Building Support.’ NDIS recognises that the expertise of a Plan Manager could be beneficial for all NDIS participants, regardless of skills and experience in financial management.

• By asking for Plan Management to be included in your NDIS plan is one easy way to ensure you to take full advantage of accessing a range of service providers who are both NDIS Registered as well as Non-NDIS Registered, allowing for greater flexibility, choice and control. 

Here are some other links you may find useful:

How to get the most out of your NDIS Plan Review

Find an NDIS Plan Manager in your area