Service Bookings and Why They Changed Under PACE
NDIS service bookings explained: what they used to do, why PACE replaced them with your provider network, and what it means for your funding.
If you've been on the NDIS for a while, you'll remember 'service bookings' — the way funding used to be set aside for a provider before they could be paid. Under the NDIA's PACE system, service bookings have largely gone, replaced by your provider network. This guide explains what service bookings were, why they changed, and what it means for you.
What a service booking used to be
The problem service bookings created
What PACE replaced them with
Why the change helps you
What stayed the same
What to do if you still see old bookings
The bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
What were NDIS service bookings?
Service bookings were the old way of setting aside funding for a specific provider before they could claim. Each booking reserved an amount from a budget for one provider over a set period. Under PACE they've largely been replaced by your provider network.
Why did the NDIS get rid of service bookings?
Service bookings made funding rigid: switching providers was slow, money felt stuck in bookings, and it created extra admin. PACE replaced them with a provider network so funding stays available across the providers you name, rather than being reserved for one in advance.
Do I still need a service booking under PACE?
No. Under PACE you name providers in your network instead of reserving funding in a booking. If a provider mentions needing a service booking, they usually mean they need to be endorsed in your provider network so they can claim against your available budget.
Did service bookings change how much funding I have?
No. Service bookings only reserved existing funding for a provider; removing them doesn't add or remove money. Your total funding, the reasonable and necessary rule, and stated versus flexible amounts all stay the same. Only the way funding is reserved and claimed has changed.