Self-management

Managing your NDIS funding yourself — paying providers and claiming from the NDIS.

What it means

Self-management means managing your NDIS funding yourself. In practice, you usually pay your providers directly and then claim the money back from the NDIS. You also keep your own records of what you have spent, so you can show how your funding has been used.

Self-management gives you the most choice and control over your supports. It lets you decide who provides your supports and how, and it means you can use unregistered providers as well as registered ones. This flexibility can help you shape your supports around what works best for you.

In practice

With self-management you take on more responsibility. You arrange and pay for supports, make claims to be paid back, and keep clear records and receipts. Good organisation helps, because you need to stay within your budget and be ready to show how your funding has been spent.

You do not have to do all of this without support. You can be helped to build the skills and confidence to self-manage, whether that is understanding your budget, keeping records or making claims. Some people self-manage part of their plan and use other options for the rest, so you can choose an approach that suits your situation.

A real example

For example, Daniel self-manages his plan, so he chooses his own support workers and pays them directly, then claims the money back from the NDIS. He keeps a simple spreadsheet and copies of receipts so he can track his budget. Because he self-manages, he is also able to use an unregistered provider he trusts.

Self-management — FAQs

What does self-managing my plan involve?
Self-managing means you manage your NDIS funding yourself. You usually pay providers directly and then claim the money back from the NDIS, and you keep records of your spending. It gives you the most choice and control, including using unregistered providers, but it also comes with more responsibility for organising payments and keeping track of your budget.
Can I use unregistered providers if I self-manage?
Yes. One of the benefits of self-management is that you can use unregistered providers as well as registered ones. This widens your choice and can help you find supports that suit you. You still need to make sure the supports relate to your plan and represent good use of your funding, and to keep records of what you spend.
What records do I need to keep?
When you self-manage, you keep records that show how your funding has been used, such as receipts and invoices for the supports you pay for. Staying organised helps you keep within your budget and be ready to show how the money was spent. Good record keeping also makes claiming money back from the NDIS more straightforward.
Is self-management a lot of work?
Self-management carries more responsibility than other options, because you arrange and pay for supports, make claims and keep records. How much work it feels like depends on your situation and how organised you are. Many people find the extra choice and control worth it, and you can be supported to build the skills to make it manageable.
Can I get help to self-manage?
Yes. You can be supported to build the skills and confidence to self-manage, such as understanding your budget, keeping records and making claims. You do not have to do it all alone. Some people also self-manage only part of their plan and use other management options for the rest, so you can choose an approach that fits you.

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