Plan management is the easiest way to manage your NDIS funding. It is free, gives you access to both registered and unregistered providers, and removes the financial admin from your plate. Best of all, asking for it is your right as an NDIS participant. The NDIA cannot refuse a request for plan management.
This guide walks you through exactly how to add plan management to your NDIS plan, what to say to your planner, what happens next, and how to choose the right plan manager once it has been approved.
The Short Answer
To add plan management to your NDIS plan: tell your NDIS planner or LAC at your planning meeting or plan review that you want to be plan-managed. That is it. The funding is automatically added to your plan in the Capacity Building - Improved Life Choices category, with no impact on your other budgets, and at no cost to you.
Quick Facts About Plan Management
- Free to participants: Funded separately by the NDIS at $104.45 per month
- Cannot be refused: It is a participant choice under the NDIS Act
- No impact on other funding: Comes from a separate budget category
- Setup fees removed: As of 1 July 2025, plan managers no longer charge setup fees
- Wider provider choice: Use both registered and unregistered providers
- Easy to switch: You can change plan managers at any time, free of charge
If you would like a deeper background on what plan management is and how it works, our complete guide to NDIS plan management covers it in detail.
How to Add Plan Management: Three Common Situations
1. At Your First NDIS Planning Meeting
If you are new to the NDIS, your first planning meeting is the easiest place to add plan management. When the planner asks how you would like to manage your funding, simply say:
"I would like to be plan-managed. Please add Capacity Building - Improved Life Choices funding for plan management to my plan."
That is all you need to say. The planner is required to include it. The funding will appear in your plan when it is approved, usually within a few weeks.
2. At a Plan Review or Reassessment
If you already have an active NDIS plan but it is not currently plan-managed, the simplest path is to request plan management at your next plan review. Plan reviews happen every 12 months for most participants and every 24 months for some, depending on your situation.
At your review, tell the planner clearly that you want plan management added. You do not need to justify the request, prove a need, or wait for approval based on circumstances. Plan management is a participant choice and is included as standard when requested.
3. Mid-Plan Through a Plan Reassessment Request
If your next review is months away and you do not want to wait, you can request a Plan Reassessment (sometimes called a Change of Circumstances). This is more involved than waiting for your scheduled review, and you usually need a clear reason such as:
- You are struggling to manage your funding under your current setup (e.g. agency-managed or self-managed)
- Providers are not getting paid on time
- You need access to unregistered providers and your current setup does not allow it
- Your circumstances have changed (new diagnosis, change in support needs, etc.)
To request a plan reassessment, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110, talk to your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or fill in the Change of Situation form on the NDIS website. Most reassessments are processed within 21 to 50 business days.
What to Say to Your Planner: Word for Word
If you are nervous about your planning meeting, here is exactly what you can say:
"I would like to have my plan managed by a registered plan manager. Please include funding for plan management in the Capacity Building - Improved Life Choices section. I understand this is fully funded by the NDIS at no cost to me."
You do not need to name a specific plan manager at this stage. Once your plan is approved with plan management funding, you can choose any registered plan manager you like, and switch at any time.
Can the NDIS Refuse Plan Management?
No. Plan management is a participant choice protected under the NDIS Act. The NDIA cannot refuse a request for plan management based on:
- The size of your plan
- Your age, disability type, or living situation
- Whether you have had problems with money management in the past
- Whether the planner thinks you "could manage it yourself"
If you ask for plan management and a planner pushes back, calmly remind them that it is a participant choice, ask for the reason in writing, and request to speak to their team leader if needed. You can also request a review of any decision through the NDIS internal review process.
How Long Does It Take to Start?
Once plan management is included in your approved plan:
- Day 1: Your plan is approved with plan management funding
- Day 1-3: You sign up with a plan manager of your choice. With Dedicated Plan Management, this takes about three minutes online.
- Day 3-7: Your chosen plan manager registers themselves against your plan with the NDIA via the new PACE system
- Day 7 onward: Your plan manager is active and ready to start paying invoices for your supports
The whole process from first conversation to active plan management is usually two weeks or less if you are at a planning meeting, or longer if you are requesting a plan reassessment.
What Happens If You Already Have a Plan but Not Plan Management?
If you have an active NDIS plan that is currently agency-managed or self-managed and you want to switch to plan management, your options are:
- Wait for your next plan review (most common, easiest)
- Request a plan reassessment if you cannot wait and have a valid reason
- Contact your LAC to discuss options if you are unsure
You do not need to be unhappy with your current setup to switch. Plan management is the most popular management type in Australia (used by around 66% of participants), and many people switch from agency or self-management once they realise how much time and admin it saves.
How to Choose a Plan Manager
Once plan management is in your approved plan, you can pick any registered plan manager. There are hundreds available, but they vary widely in service quality. When choosing, ask these questions:
- How fast do you pay invoices? (Industry leaders pay within 24 to 48 hours; some take 5 to 10 days)
- Will I have a dedicated account manager? (Avoid call centre setups where you speak to someone different every time)
- Do you provide regular budget updates? (Monthly statements should be standard)
- How do I see what is being claimed against my plan? (Transparency is critical)
- Are you a registered NDIS provider? (Important for Quality and Safeguards Commission oversight, especially with the upcoming reforms)
- Do you charge any fees beyond the NDIS-funded monthly fee? (The answer should be no)
For more detail on what to look for, read our guide on finding the best NDIS plan manager in Australia. If you are already with a plan manager but unhappy, learn how easy it is to change your NDIS plan manager at any time, free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding plan management reduce my other NDIS funding?
No. Plan management is funded from a separate Capacity Building category called Improved Life Choices. It does not affect your funding for therapy, equipment, support workers, or any other supports.
Can I have plan management on a child's NDIS plan?
Yes. Plan management can be added to any NDIS plan, including for children. The same rules apply: it is a participant (or nominee) choice and the NDIA cannot refuse it.
What if my planner refuses to add plan management?
Plan management is a participant choice and cannot be refused. Politely remind your planner of this, ask for any refusal in writing, and request a team leader review. You also have the right to request an internal review of any NDIS decision within three months.
How is plan management different from self-management?
With plan management, a registered provider handles your invoices, payments, and budget tracking. With self-management, you handle everything yourself and pay providers upfront before claiming reimbursement. For a side-by-side breakdown, see our guide on plan management vs self-management.
Do I need to choose a plan manager before my planning meeting?
No. Just ask for plan management to be included in your plan. Once your plan is approved, you can take your time choosing a plan manager. Most participants pick one within a week or two of their plan being approved.
Are there any downsides to plan management?
The main consideration is that plan-managed participants must follow the NDIS Price Guide (the same as agency-managed). If you want full pricing flexibility, self-management is the alternative. For most participants, the time savings of plan management far outweigh this trade-off.
Get Started With Dedicated Plan Management
If you have plan management in your approved NDIS plan and are ready to choose a plan manager, we would love to be considered. We are a family-run, registered NDIS provider based in Brisbane and supporting participants all across Australia. We pay most invoices within 24 to 48 hours, send clear monthly budget updates, and you will speak to the same dedicated account manager every time.
To sign up, fill out our online form (it takes about three minutes), or call us on 1300 010 170 to chat. New to plan management and not sure where to start? Read what plan management is or learn how plan management works in five simple steps.