Introduction

Understanding how your NDIS funding is managed can make it easier to access the right supports, keep track of your budget, and make informed decisions about your care.

The NDIS currently provides three main ways to manage funding: self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed. A participant’s plan can also use a combination of these options.

For participants and families in Perth, understanding these options can help make the NDIS journey more organised and easier to navigate.

At Bright Lilly Healthcare, we believe participants should have the information and support they need to make confident decisions about their NDIS services and achieve their personal goals.

What Is NDIS Plan Management?

NDIS plan management is an option where a registered plan manager helps manage the financial side of a participant’s NDIS funding.

A plan manager can help with tasks such as:

Paying providers
Processing NDIS claims
Keeping financial records
Monitoring NDIS spending
Providing regular funding statements
Helping participants understand their budgets

The NDIS explains that a plan manager helps manage funding and budgeting, but does not take responsibility for managing the participant’s entire NDIS plan.

How Does Plan Management Work?

Plan management can make the financial administration of an NDIS plan easier for participants.

Step 1: Understand Your NDIS Plan

Start by reviewing which parts of your NDIS funding are plan-managed. Your plan will identify the support budgets that are managed through a plan manager.

Step 2: Choose a Plan Manager

Participants can choose their preferred plan manager. The NDIS recommends speaking with potential plan managers before signing up and asking about their experience, communication, accessibility, and approach to helping participants understand their budgets.

Step 3: Set Up a Service Agreement

A service agreement can clarify the services being provided, how the relationship will work, and what happens if there are disagreements.

Step 4: Choose Your Support Providers

Having a plan manager does not mean the plan manager chooses your support providers. Participants can continue choosing the providers they want for their NDIS supports.

Step 5: Monitor Your Funding

Even with a plan manager, participants remain responsible for understanding their funding and ensuring their NDIS supports are in line with their plan.

Plan managers can provide regular statements showing how funding has been used and how much remains available.

What Are the Benefits of Plan Management?

Having professional assistance with the financial administration of NDIS funding can provide several benefits.

Easier Financial Administration

A plan manager handles invoices, claims, payments, and financial records, reducing some of the administrative work for participants.

Better Budget Awareness

Regular funding reports can help participants understand their spending and identify whether their budget is being used too quickly or too slowly.

Greater Provider Choice

Participants with plan-managed funding can choose registered or unregistered providers, subject to the NDIS rules that apply to their supports.

Building Financial Confidence

Plan managers can also help participants develop their understanding of NDIS funding and build skills for managing their plan.

Plan Management vs Support Coordination

Plan management and support coordination are different types of support.

Plan management primarily focuses on the financial administration of plan-managed funding, including claims, payments, records, and budgets.

Support coordination helps participants understand and use their supports, connect with providers, and work towards their NDIS goals.

A participant may have funding for both types of support because they serve different purposes.

How to Choose the Right NDIS Plan Manager

Choosing a plan manager is an important decision. The right provider should be responsive, transparent, and able to communicate in a way that works for you.

Questions to Ask

Before choosing a plan manager, consider asking:

How often will I receive funding updates?
How quickly are provider invoices processed?
Can you explain my NDIS budget clearly?
How do you communicate with participants?
Can you accommodate my communication needs?
What happens if I want to change plan managers?

The NDIS recommends choosing a plan manager you feel confident can meet your individual needs.

How Bright Lilly Healthcare Supports NDIS Participants

At Bright Lilly Healthcare, our approach is centred around the individual.

We understand that navigating NDIS services can feel overwhelming, particularly when participants are managing multiple supports, providers, and personal goals.

Our team provides person-centred disability support across Perth, helping participants build independence, confidence, and stronger connections within their communities.

Our services include:

Daily living support
Personal care
Community participation
Complex support
Life skills development
Support coordination
Assistance tailored to individual goals

Our focus is always on providing respectful, reliable, and personalised support.

Making Your NDIS Journey Easier

Understanding how your NDIS funding is managed is an important part of taking control of your support journey.

Whether your funding is self-managed, plan-managed, NDIA-managed, or uses a combination of management options, you remain at the centre of your NDIS plan. The right information, providers, and support network can help you make confident decisions and work towards meaningful goals.

At Bright Lilly Healthcare, we are committed to helping participants across Perth access compassionate support that promotes independence, dignity, and quality of life.