A Quick Guide to NDIS Plan Management Fees

Plan Management can be a bit tricky conceptually because it’s funded differently to the rest of your plan. While it is funded under approved NDIS Plans, it doesn’t impact your existing budgets.

In the spirit of clear communication, we have created this quick guide to NDIS plan management fees to help you better understand the mechanism behind NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) Plan Management funding: Who pays, how much it costs, and whether it’s the right option for you.

Who pays for NDIS Plan Managers?

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) funds the services provided by your Plan Manager through the NDIS Capacity Building budget, under the “Improved Life Choices” category. This funding is specifically allocated for plan management and does not affect your budgets allocated to other supports.

If you would like to include plan management in your NDIS plan, you’ll need to notify your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). With the new legislation coming into effect between 3 October 2024 and January 2025, the NDIA must now approve your request for plan management as part of these updates.

How much do NDIS Plan Managers charge?

Plan managers can only charge what is laid out in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously Price Guide) because they are funded directly by the NDIA.

In the 2024-25 Pricing Arrangements (effective 01 July 2024), Plan Management has two line items. These have three variations each depending on where you physically reside (national, remote or very remote).

Plan Management – Set Up Costs: 

This is a one-off fee to set up the financial management arrangements for Plan Management. Every time you have a new plan, this cost will also re-apply.

• National: $232.35
• Remote: $325.29
• Very Remote: $348.54

Plan Management – Monthly Fee:

This is the ongoing monthly cost for financial management arrangements – i.e., the monthly cost for your plan management.

• National: $104.45
• Remote: $146.23
• Very Remote: $156.67

Note: Plan management has no personal cost to you, ever. While these listed prices are easily accessible whenever the NDIS releases an updated schedule, any increases or variations will not have an impact on:

1. What you have to pay out of pocket, and
2. The budgets that are already allocated to your plan.

Is Plan Management right for me?

If you would like to:

• Retain control over budget spend and choice of providers
• Ensure prompt provider payment
• Be relieved of administrative tasks like invoice checking, record-keeping, financial reporting, and real-time budget tracking
• Work with experts fluent in NDIS
• Have more time and energy to achieve your goals

…Then, plan management might be a great fit.

Plan Management is the middle ground between all-encompassing self- and hands-free agency management. You can enjoy having more control and choice, without trading off time and energy better spent reaching your goals. 

This is also a great option if you are new to your NDIS journey and want some help learning to navigate plan management, and NDIS budgets in general.

To paint a fuller picture of what you are entitled to as an NDIS participant, you should know the alternatives to plan management as well. We’ve created a summary for you:

1. Self Managed

This has the most flexibility and the most administrative work. If your plan is self-managed, you have full autonomy over the use of your funds and can engage support from providers that aren’t NDIS registered. 

However, you also have the full responsibility for making sure your plan, and the supports you engage using plan funds, are compliant with NDIS standards and requirements. The subsequent time and expertise required for effective planning make self-management inaccessible for some participants.

Much like any DIY project… You may be able to do a great job with practice, but it will be faster and easier to engage an experienced specialist to help. If you would like to spend less time doing admin, you will be better supported by the Agency or plan-managed models.

2. Agency Managed

If self-management is all about full control and full responsibility, agency management is the opposite end of the spectrum. This is when the NDIA directly manages your funding for you, which frees up time and energy by relieving you of admin – but vastly restricts your options for spending funds.

You can only use NDIS-registered providers, and you won’t be able to negotiate with them on price to try and make your NDIS funds go further.

This option is great for those who do not need a lot of flexibility and are willing to only use registered providers. If you want more flexibility without taking on more admin, consider Plan Management.

Related: NDIS Self Managed vs Plan Managed vs Agency Managed Explained

NDSP: Your Plan Management Specialists

Choosing a plan manager, as with any provider, can feel daunting when looking at the wide pool of providers available.

NDSP empowers NDIS participants living with disability across Australia, by providing expert plan management services.

We do more than pay invoices. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff and easy-to-navigate Nappa portal offer the support you need. We take on the time-consuming financial administration of your plan and help you make the most of your NDIS funding, so you can focus on more important things.

Related reading: 

• How We Pay Your Providers: Invoices, Timelines & More
• How Our Mobile-Friendly Portal Empowers You to Manage Your NDIS Plan Effortlessly

Looking for more information to get started with the NDIS? We have a free, online Participant Toolbox offering comprehensive resources and clarity around common NDIS queries.

To learn more about NDIS Plan Management, or to get started with an NDIS-registered provider, contact NDSP today and find out how we can best support you on your NDIS journey.