The short answer
Plan managed: a registered Plan Manager pays providers and manages financial records for the plan-managed part of your funding.
Self managed: you, your nominee or representative manage payments, claims, budgets and records.
Agency managed / NDIA-managed: the NDIA pays providers and keeps records for the NDIA-managed part of your funding.
You can also have different parts of an NDIS plan managed in different ways, depending on your plan and circumstances.
Plan Managed vs Self Managed vs Agency Managed: comparison table
| Question | Plan managed | Self managed | Agency managed / NDIA-managed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays providers? | Your registered Plan Manager | You, your nominee or representative | The NDIA |
| Who manages financial records? | Your Plan Manager | You | The NDIA |
| Registered providers? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unregistered providers? | Generally available for many supports, subject to NDIS rules and any support-specific requirements | Generally available, subject to NDIS rules and any support-specific requirements | No — NDIA-managed funding uses registered providers |
| Day-to-day administration | Lower for the participant | Highest participant responsibility | Lower participant financial administration |
| Budget visibility | Statements and reporting from the Plan Manager | You track the budget and records | Visible through NDIA systems |
| Who submits payment claims? | The Plan Manager manages Plan Management claims and provider payment workflows | You make and manage claims | Providers claim through NDIA systems |
What is Plan Management?
Plan Management is a way of managing NDIS funding where a registered Plan Manager handles the financial administration of plan-managed supports. This commonly includes receiving and reviewing provider invoices, submitting claims, paying providers, keeping financial records and helping participants understand spending and remaining funding.
The NDIS explains that funding for a Plan Manager can be included separately from a participant's other supports. AUZ Care's service includes invoice processing, provider payment workflows, budget monitoring and financial reporting.
Plan Management may suit you if:
- You want help with invoices, claims, payments and financial records.
- You want regular visibility over plan spending without managing every transaction yourself.
- You value access to both registered and non-registered providers where permitted by NDIS rules.
- You want a financial administration partner while keeping choice and control over supports.
What is Self Management?
Self management means you, your plan nominee or child representative manage the NDIS funding yourself. This can offer a high level of flexibility and control, but it also brings responsibility for paying providers, making claims, tracking budgets and keeping records.
Self Management may suit you if:
- You want hands-on control over payments and claims.
- You are comfortable keeping records and monitoring the budget.
- You want flexibility to negotiate provider pricing within the rules that apply to self-managed funding.
- You have the time, systems and support needed to manage administration.
What is Agency Managed NDIS funding?
Agency managed funding is now commonly described by the NDIS as NDIA-managed funding. The NDIA pays providers and keeps records for the NDIA-managed part of the plan.
For NDIA-managed funding, participants choose from registered NDIS providers. Providers generally submit claims through NDIA systems rather than sending invoices to a Plan Manager.
NDIA-managed funding may suit you if:
- You want the NDIA to handle provider payments and financial records.
- You are comfortable using registered providers for NDIA-managed supports.
- You prefer less direct responsibility for financial administration.
Which option gives the most provider choice?
Self managed and plan managed funding can generally offer access to registered and non-registered providers, subject to NDIS rules and any support-specific requirements. NDIA-managed funding uses registered providers.
Some supports have additional provider requirements regardless of how funding is managed, so participants should check the rules that apply to the specific support.
Which option has the least administration?
There is no single best option for everyone. In practical terms:
- Self managed usually involves the most direct financial administration for the participant or representative.
- Plan managed transfers much of the invoice, payment and record-keeping administration to a registered Plan Manager.
- NDIA-managed means the NDIA handles payments and records for that funding, while providers claim through NDIA systems.
The best fit depends on how much control you want, how much administration you want to manage and which providers you want to work with.
Can you change how your NDIS funding is managed?
Participants can ask to change how their funding is managed. The process can depend on the requested change and the participant's circumstances. If you are considering moving to Plan Management, AUZ Care can explain onboarding and switching steps.
Can you use a combination of management types?
Yes. Different parts of a plan can be managed in different ways. For example, a participant may have some funding self managed and other funding plan managed or NDIA-managed, depending on what is included in the plan.
How AUZ Care helps with Plan Management
- Prompt processing of complete invoices
- Claims and provider payment workflows
- Budget monitoring and expenditure visibility
- Statements and financial reporting
- Support for participant, provider and referral enquiries
- Onboarding and Plan Manager switching support
Frequently asked questions
Is agency managed the same as NDIA-managed?
Yes. “Agency managed” is a commonly used term for funding that is managed by the NDIA.
Can a Plan Manager choose my providers?
No. Participants retain choice and control over their providers, subject to NDIS rules and the funding in their plan.
Does Plan Management reduce funding for my other supports?
Plan Management funding is separate from other participant supports when it is included in the plan.
Can Plan Management use non-registered providers?
Plan-managed funding can generally be used with registered and non-registered providers, subject to NDIS rules and any support-specific requirements.
Who keeps invoices and financial records when I self manage?
The person self-managing the funding is responsible for claims, payments and record keeping.
Can I switch from another Plan Manager to AUZ Care?
Yes. AUZ Care can explain the transition process and support onboarding, subject to your existing service agreement and any required notice.
Official NDIS information
For current information about funding management options, visit the official NDIS resources on management options, self-managed funding and NDIA-managed funding.