Plan Management · Plain English
Understanding your NDIS plan.
Self-managed · Plan-managed · NDIA-managed — a plain-English guide to the three ways you can manage your funding, and how to pick the one that fits.
Maximum flexibility
Self-managed
You take the wheel.
You control the funding directly — choose providers (registered and unregistered), pay invoices, keep records, and report on how funds meet your goals.
The middle ground
Plan-managed
The best of both worlds.
A registered plan manager pays your providers, tracks your budget and handles the paperwork — while you keep the freedom to choose registered and unregistered providers.
Simplest option
NDIA-managed
Set and forget.
The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) handles the funds. Registered providers claim directly through the NDIS portal.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Self-managed | Plan-managed | NDIA-managed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who manages funds | You | Plan manager | NDIA |
| Provider choice | Registered + unregistered | Registered + unregistered | Registered only |
| Admin responsibility | High | Low | None |
| Flexibility | Maximum | High | Limited |
| Best suits | Confident self-starters | Most participants | Those wanting simplicity |
| Cost to your plan | None | None (funded separately) | None |
Recent updates
What's changed in 2025/26.
Rolling funding periods
For many participants, fixed annual budgets are being replaced with rolling funding periods. Unspent funds may now flow differently across periods — worth confirming with your LAC or plan manager at your next review.
Support lists (in force)
The 2025 support lists are now enforced. Spending needs to sit within your approved support categories. You still have flexibility — it just operates within clearer boundaries. Not sure what your funds cover? Have a chat with us.
Not sure which one's right for you?
It's completely normal to feel unsure. A few honest questions to yourself often make the picture clearer:
- How comfortable are you managing paperwork and budgets?
- Do you need providers who aren't NDIS-registered?
- Do you or a family member have capacity to manage finances over time?
- How much time can you (or a loved one) dedicate to admin each week?
Still unsure? Plan-managed is a sensible place to start — you get broad choice without needing to run the paperwork yourself. You can always switch later. Your choice isn't locked in.
Horizon Care can support you — whichever way your plan is managed.
We can already support self-managed and plan-managed participants today. Formal NDIS Commission registration is currently in progress — Stage 1 & 2 audits complete.