NDIS Self-Managed Guide
Self-managing your NDIS plan gives you maximum choice and control. You decide which providers you use, what you pay, and when. Here is everything you need to know before choosing self-management.
What is NDIS Self-Management?
When you self-manage your NDIS plan, the NDIA deposits your support funding directly into a dedicated bank account. You then pay your providers, keep receipts, and submit claims through the myplace portal.
Self-management gives you the freedom to use any provider — including unregistered providers, sole traders, and community organisations. You can negotiate rates directly with your workers and have complete visibility over how every dollar is spent.
In exchange, you take on responsibility for making sure all spending is reasonable and necessary and aligns with the goals in your NDIS plan. The NDIA can audit your records at any time.
Comparing Your 3 NDIS Plan Management Options
Pros
- ✓ No admin work
- ✓ NDIA pays providers directly
Cons
- ✗ Must use registered providers only
- ✗ Least flexibility
Pros
- ✓ Can use unregistered providers
- ✓ Plan manager handles payments
- ✓ Funded separately in your plan
Cons
- ✗ Less direct control than self-management
- ✗ Reliant on plan manager's availability
Pros
- ✓ Maximum choice and control
- ✓ Use any provider — registered or not
- ✓ Negotiate your own rates
Cons
- ✗ You handle all payments and records
- ✗ You are responsible for compliance
You can also mix management types — for example, self-manage Core Supports while plan-managing Capacity Building.
Your Obligations as a Self-Managed Participant
Only spend on reasonable and necessary supports
Every dollar must go toward supports that are in your NDIS plan and help you work toward your goals. Spending on things unrelated to your disability or plan goals is a misuse of funds.
Keep all receipts and invoices
You must keep records of every payment — what was purchased, from whom, on what date, and for how much. The NDIA recommends keeping records for 5 years.
Submit payment requests via myplace
After paying a provider, you claim reimbursement (or release funds) through the NDIS participant portal. Claims must match the support category in your plan.
Pay providers within a reasonable timeframe
Providers expect to be paid promptly. Keep your NDIS bank account adequately funded and process payments as you receive invoices.
Cooperate with audits
The NDIA can request evidence of your spending at any time. If spending is found to not align with your plan, you may need to repay funds.
How to Request Self-Management
Prepare before your planning meeting
Think about why you want self-management, which support categories you want to self-manage, and how you will handle record-keeping. Having a clear answer builds confidence with your planner.
Tell your LAC or NDIA planner
At your planning meeting or plan review, state that you want to self-manage. You can request full self-management or partial self-management for specific categories.
Open a dedicated NDIS bank account
Set up a separate bank account to be used only for NDIS funds. This keeps your NDIS spending clearly separate from personal finances and makes record-keeping much simpler.
Set up myplace access
Register and log in to the NDIS myplace participant portal. This is where you will submit payment requests and track your available budget.