Who Helps with Your NDIS Plan? A Simple Guide to Support Roles

Written By Anna Dang

If you are new to the NDIS or applying for NDIS funding, you may be wondering how you will manage your plan and NDIS funding.

It can feel confusing as there are a lot of different job titles but behind each role is a person who is there to help you get the most from your plan.

In this blog we’ll be explaining the essential roles involved in supporting you on your NDIS journey.

Here’s a simple guide to who’s who and if you’re likely to meet them or be supported by them.

You can skip to a question by clicking on the links below:

Frequently Asked Questions

 

First stop: Your Local Area Coordinator (also known as LAC)

One of the first people you will speak to or meet with is your Local Area Coordinator (or LAC for short).

A Local Area Coordinator works for a community organisation who partners with the NDIS (these are known as partner organisations).

They can help you find information and community resources relevant to you even if you don’t have an approved NDIS plan.

They can help you:

  • Understand how the NDIS works

  • Apply for and prepare for the planning meeting

  • Connect with relevant community services and information

Important to note: LAC’s do not create or approve NDIS plans. They do not work for the NDIA directly, and they don’t make decisions about funding. They are there to support you through the process.

When do you choose how your NDIS plan is managed?

During your first planning meeting with the LAC, you can choose how you want to manage your plan. They will ask you how you would like to manage your NDIS funding at the first planning meeting.

There are three options available:

  • 1. NDIA Managed – this means the National Disability Insurance Agency manages paying the providers, bookkeeping and keeping records of what is spent. If you choose NDIA managed, the supports and services in your plan must be from registered NDIS providers.

  • 2. Plan Managed – This means you can use a registered plan manager to pay providers, manage invoices, create financial reports and keep records of what is spent.

  • 3. Self Managed – this means you will manage your NDIS plan funding including managing paying the provider invoices and maintaining financial records. This option comes with a few important tasks you will be responsible for.

You can learn more about the responsibilities on the NDIS website.

You can choose one option for your whole plan or you can choose a combination.

For example, you may choose to self-manage a part of your plan and have the rest managed by a plan manager or the NDIA.

Important to note: You still have the choice and control over the supports provided to you to make sure they are working for you and fit in your budget.

You can ask to change how your NDIS plan is managed at any time, as often as you need to, by requesting a plan variation from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). There's no limit to how often you can request a change. If it's the only change you need, it can often be done without a full plan reassessment

What does a Plan Manager do?

A Plan Manager is a registered NDIS provider like BCD who help you manage your NDIS plan funding.

Plan Managers must be a registered NDIS provider and are required to be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

If you have chosen plan-managed, your plan will include NDIS funding to pay for a registered Plan Manager to help you manage your plan.

The funding to pay your Plan Manager is separate from other NDIS funding in your plan.

This means you can choose a Plan Manager to handle the financial admin of your NDIS plan. A Plan Manager will:

  • Help you with budgeting to make the most of your NDIS funds

  • Pays your service provider invoices

  • Keep records on how NDIS funding is spent

  • Explore different providers that best fit your support needs

Using a Plan Manager gives you flexibility you can choose from both registered NDIS providers and unregistered providers (for example, a local gardener), as long as the support is listed on the official NDIS supports list and included in your plan.

Need Help?

If you're looking for support with managing your NDIS plan, we're here to help. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about our transition support services. Call the BCD team on 1800 275 223, we’re here to help you.

What Are Self-Managed NDIS Plans?

Choosing to self-manage your plan means you will be in charge managing your NDIS funding yourself. This means you will be responsible for:

  • Choosing and arranging for NDIS supports you purchase and who provides these supports

  • Paying provider invoices

  • Keeping track of funding

  • Keep records of what you have spent

This option gives you the most choice and control but also all the responsibility for managing your NDIS funding, choosing and arranging your supports.

You can ask to self manage all or part of your NDIS plan funding.

 Important to note: You can ask to change how you manage your NDIS funding at any time. For more information visit the NDIS website.

What does NDIA-Managed funding mean?

If your plan is managed by the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) it will be called NDIA-managed or sometimes Agency-managed.

This means the NDIA manages the plan for you. The NDIA will manage paying providers, your book-keeping and records of your spending.

You can only use registered NDIS providers to provide supports and services for you.

You will need to check the myplace portal to see what claims are being made against your funding and keep track of your NDIS budget.

Different Types of Plan Management

Benefits and Responsibilities Agency-managed Using a Registered Plan Manager Self-managed
Support Coordination (if funded): Works across all plan management types
You choose your providers and how you spend your funding Yes Yes Yes
You make sure your funding will last your whole plan and in line with any funding periods Yes Yes Yes
You make sure the claims in your plan are correct Yes Yes Yes
You manage your financial records No, the NDIA will do this for you No, your plan manager will do this for you Yes
You pay your providers No, the NDIA will do this for you No, your plan manager will do this for you Yes
You can use registered providers Yes Yes Yes
You can use unregistered providers No Yes, with some exceptions* Yes, with some exceptions*
You can pay less than the NDIS price limits Yes Yes Yes
You can pay more than the NDIS price limits No No Yes

*Source: NDIS - “Fact Sheet: Managing Your Funding”, https://www.ndis.gov.au/publications/booklets-and-factsheets#using-your-ndis-plan There are some supports you can only buy from registered NDIS providers.Learn more on https://ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis

What Does A Support Coordinator Do?

Depending on your needs, you might have funding approved for Support Coordination in your NDIS plan.

Support coordination is not automatically included and is funded based on your needs and circumstances. The NDIS looks at what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ to pursue your goals.

The Support Coordinator can work with you to:

  • Understanding your goals and using your NDIS plan

  • Connect with providers, community and mainstream supports

  • Build your confidence and skills to use and arrange your supports

If support coordination is included in your NDIS plan, it can be delivered at three different levels depending on your needs.

It starts with Support Connection to help you get set up with providers, then Support Coordination to build skills to manage things more independently, and for more complex situations, there's Specialist Support Coordination which offers a higher level of tailored support.

You can change your Support Coordinator at any time.


Common Questions About Plan Management

What’s the difference between a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator?

If you have a Plan Manager to manage part or all of your plan's funding, this means they are responsible for paying providers, invoicing and administration side of your plan including keeping records of what has been spent. A Support Coordinator helps you find and organise services that align with your goals. They're different but complementary.

Can my Plan Manager and Support Coordinator be from the same organisation?



They can be, but they don’t have to be. You can choose different providers for each role however a Plan Manager must be a registered NDIS provider and are required to be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Will I have a Plan Manager and Support Coordinator in my plan?

Not always. Some participants may only have funding for a Plan Manager. Some may have funding for a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator. It depends on your needs and circumstances.

Does my Support Coordinator have to work with the same NDIS providers I use?

No, Support Coordinators are there to help you explore options, not to steer you toward a specific provider. You’re in control of your supports.

We’re Here To Help

Navigating how to manage your NDIS plan can feel a bit overwhelming at first especially with so many roles involved and choices to consider. But you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

If you’ve got questions, or you’d like to speak to someone about which supports might be right for you, get in touch with our BCD care team today on 1800 275 223. We’re here to help you feel confident, supported, and in control of your NDIS journey.

At BCD, our disability support services are all about helping individuals with disabilities achieve their goals, grow their independence, and enjoy a life full of possibilities.

Sources:

NDIS Ways To Manage Your Funding https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/ways-manage-your-funding

NDIS Support Coordination https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/who-can-help-start-your-plan/support-coordination

NDIS Factsheet - Managing Your Funding https://www.ndis.gov.au/publications/booklets-and-factsheets#using-your-ndis-plan

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.

Anna Dang
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A New Chapter: Opening the Doors to Supported Independent Living