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When you receive your NDIS plan, one of the most important decisions you will make is deciding how your funding will be managed. The choice you make impacts how much control you have over your providers, how much admin you have to do, and who pays the bills.

At Ara Healthcare, we believe that understanding your options is the first step toward maximizing your plan. Let’s break down the three ways to manage your NDIS funding:

1. Agency-Managed (NDIA-Managed)

With this option, the NDIA directly handles your funds and pays your providers for you.

• The Catch: You can only use NDIS-registered providers. If you have a favourite local therapist or support worker who isn’t registered, you cannot use your funding to hire them.

• The Benefit: No paperwork or invoicing for you to worry about.

2. Plan-Managed

This is often considered the “best of both worlds.” You hire a dedicated Plan Manager (a third party) to handle the financial side of your plan.

• The Benefit: You can use both registered and unregistered providers, giving you ultimate flexibility. The Plan Manager handles all the invoicing, claims, and financial reporting.

• The Cost: It costs you nothing out of pocket; the NDIS adds extra funding specifically for this service.

3. Self-Managed

You (or a nominee) manage the funding directly. You pay providers out of pocket or submit claims directly to the NDIS portal.

• The Benefit: Maximum flexibility. You can negotiate prices and hire any provider you like.

• The Catch: A heavy administrative burden. You must keep all receipts and invoices for up to 5 years for auditing purposes.

Which is right for you?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Many participants at Ara Healthcare prefer Plan Management because it offers the freedom to choose your preferred support workers without the stress of managing the bookkeeping.

Need help navigating your plan? Whether you are looking for registered supports or just trying to make sense of your funding, the team at Ara Healthcare is here to help. Contact us today to chat about your goals.