What is Choice and Control Under the NDIS?

Choice and control refers to part of your rights under the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), which states the right for a participant to make their own decisions about their NDIS supports. Even if the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) or other parties manage the funding for your supports, you have some influence over how these funds will actually be used.

Why is Choice and Control important?

Because it gives you options and the power to make decisions, so you can find the supports and providers that will work best for you. 

What is NDIS choice?

These are the options you have in regards to your NDIS plan. You can choose what your goals are, which providers you work with, and the types and mix of supports and services that suit your needs (so long as they align with the goals you have set, and comply with current NDIS guidelines).

What is NDIS control?

Control refers to direction; making your own decisions, and running your own life. In the NDIS you might provide direction regarding:

• Your living situation
• How your plan is managed
• When, where and how you receive your supports
• Changes to your plan

What does choice and control look like in action?

Your NDIS Plan is designed to help you meet your goals. Choice and control helps you do this on your own terms where possible. The easiest way to illustrate how choice and control works to support this is by example.

Say you wanted to go out and see a band play… 

1. Because you have power over when and where you receive supports, you could find a provider who will help you do this.
2. You also have choice and control over who will deliver these supports. You might find a support worker with an interest in music, or at least one who won’t feel out of place in the venue.
3. Once you find the provider you would like to go with, you can negotiate a fair and reasonable rate that works for you and your budget.

Choice, control, and NDIS funding

As an NDIS participant you have the right to a say in how your plan, funds and supports are utilised. This includes:

1. Using some NDIS funds flexibly

The level of choice and control you are able to exert here will depend on the budget and category of funding. Your Core Supports budget is the most flexible, and in most cases you can use Core funding across any of the Core categories.

However, this is not the case for Capital and Capacity Building Supports. You can only use your Capital supports budget for specific items identified in your NDIS plan, and you can only use Capacity funds for the category they have been allocated to.

Related: NDIS Funding Categories Explained

2. Changes to your NDIS Plan

Because funding can be inflexible across categories, it’s important that your plan matches your personal goals. You can contact the NDIS at any time to request an adjustment, should your situation change.

The NDIS may decide to do a plan variation to account for minor changes, or organise a plan reassessment for more major changes, or decline to change your plan if the requested changes do not fall under what is ‘reasonable and necessary‘.

In some situations, if there is evidence that your use of funds has not been compliant with NDIS guidelines, they may make changes to the way your plan is managed. Currently this applies to self-managed NDIS participants, who may be transitioned into agency management. If this happens, you still have the right to choice and control – but the NDIA will be directly managing your funds, which can limit the provider and pricing options available.

See more: NDIS Self Managed vs Plan Managed vs Agency Managed Explained

Plan Management offers you more choice and control

Working with a trusted Plan Manager more offers flexibility and control than agency management regarding the use of your budgets, without the complex administrative responsibility of self-management. 

If you would like to free up more time and energy while having greater flexibility to choose your providers or services, Plan Management might be the option for you.

You can request to have this added to your NDIS plan. It will be funded from the Improved Life Choices budget.

NDSP: Your Expert Plan Managers

We take care of the financial administration for your plan (like budget tracking, provider invoices, record keeping, and liaising with the NDIA) so you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy. NDSP’s services remove the financial burden, not your choices or freedom.

We’re people-first in our approach, working to your best interests. As a national plan manager, we are committed to providing comprehensive, consistent, and personalised service to NDIS participants across Australia – no matter your location.

If this sounds like the right fit for you, contact NDSP to find out how we can help make your NDIS journey a smooth one.