In the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), self-managed vs plan managed comes down to who manages the funding and pays you. A registered plan manager pays you under plan-managed funding, while the participant, their plan nominee, or a child representative pays you directly under self-managed funding (NDIS Our Guidelines).
There's a third option, agency-managed, where the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages the funding and pays providers. Participants can also mix these options, for example by self-managing one part of the plan and leaving the rest with the NDIA. This guide covers what changes for you: who you bill, what goes on the invoice, and when the money arrives.
Why the management type matters to your practice
Bill the wrong party and the invoice stalls. The management type also decides who can deliver the support and what you can charge.
- Registration: with NDIA-managed funding, the participant can only use NDIS registered providers.
- Price limits: plan managers must keep providers' prices within the price limits, whether the provider is registered or not.
- Self-managed flexibility: a self-managed participant can choose how much to pay for each support, as long as the total funding for that support isn't exceeded.
For rate changes, see our guide to the July 2025 NDIS pricing changes for Allied Health practices.
How billing works for each management type
Agency-managed clients: Claim from the NDIA
You claim straight from the NDIA. Registered providers submit a payment request through the myplace provider portal within 90 days from the end of the service booking. Valid claims are generally paid within 2 to 3 business days. In some circumstances, such as when you're not recorded as a 'My provider', payment can take up to 10 days.
Plan-managed clients: Invoice the Plan Manager
You send the invoice to the participant's Plan Manager. It must include a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) unless you're exempt. The plan manager processes the payment through the myplace provider portal and pays you.
Plan managers may have to pay back any amount not spent in line with the participant's plan, so expect queries on unclear invoices. Most plan managers take 2 to 5 business days (with many industry benchmarks recommending within 3 to 5 business days) to check, validate, and process a correct invoice.
Self-managed clients: invoice the participant
You invoice the participant. Once you've delivered the support, they can either claim after receiving your invoice and then pay you, or pay you first and claim reimbursement. They can't claim before the support is delivered. Their evidence must match the claim details, and they also need a receipt from you to acquit the expense in the myplace participant portal.
Some supports must be delivered by registered providers even when self-managed
Some specific supports must be delivered by a registered NDIS provider even if your plan is self-managed. This includes Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Specialist Behaviour Support Services & Restrictive Practices:, Plan Management Services, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports.
| Management type | Who you bill | Registered provider requirement | Payment timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency-managed | NDIA, via myplace provider portal | Yes | 2 to 3 business days for valid claims |
| Plan-managed | Plan manager | No, but price limits apply | No current official timeframe |
| Self-managed | Participant | Varies by support | After delivery* |
(* the participant either claims then pays you, or pays you then makes a claim)
What to include on every NDIS invoice
At a minimum, include a valid tax invoice with relevant information about the goods or services purchased and your ABN. If you're exempt from quoting an ABN, you complete the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) 'Statement by a Supplier' form. For self-managed clients, make every detail easy to match against their claim. All NDIS invoices must contain specific provider, participant, and service details to comply with NDIA and plan management rules. This includes:
Provider details
- Business Name: Your registered business name matching the NDIS provider portal or ABN Lookup.
- ABN: Your Australian Business Number (or a Statement by a Supplier form if exempt).
- Contact Information: Phone number, email address, and physical business address.
- Third-Party ABN: Required if you are a third-party provider invoicing through a plan manager.
- Bank Details: BSB, account number, and account name for payment.
Participant details
- Full Legal Name: The participant's first and last name (not a parent or guardian's name).
- NDIS Number: The participant's unique 9-digit NDIS reference number.
- Participant Address: Required for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) supports, including the postcode.
Invoice Metadata
- Invoice Number: A unique sequential or date-based invoice number.
- Invoice Date: The date the invoice is issued (must be posted or dated on/after service delivery).
- Limit Rule: Each invoice can only cover one participant.
Line item & service details
- Support Item Code: The exact catalogue code from the NDIS Support Catalogue
- Support Description: A clear description of the support delivered.
- Service Date(s): The actual date(s) the support was delivered (must fall within the participant's current plan period and cannot be in the future).
- Quantity & Units: The number of hours, units, or kilometers delivered
- Unit Price: The hourly or unit rate, which must comply with NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
- Claim Type: Specification of the claim category (e.g., standard face-to-face, non-face-to-face, provider travel, or short notice cancellation).
- GST Status: Explicit note on GST treatment (most NDIS supports are GST-free; state "GST-free" or list GST separately if applicable).
- Total Amounts: The line total for each item and the grand total amount payable.
A practical example to review
Say an occupational therapist sees a client who self-manages their therapy budget while the NDIA manages the rest. Sessions go on an invoice to the participant, who either claims and then pays you, or pays you first and claims it back. If the client later moves their therapy funding to a plan manager, the same session goes on an invoice to the plan manager instead, and your fee must sit within the price limit. Same client, same service, different workflow.
Addressing common misconceptions
“Self-managed clients don't need a service agreement”
Mostly true. The NDIA recommends a written service agreement but only requires one for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The NDIS Practice Standards also say providers should collaborate with each participant on a service agreement that sets expectations. A clear agreement on fees and payment terms is sensible with self-managed clients, who pay you directly.
“Changing management type takes effect straight away”
Don't assume so. Participants can change how they manage their plan if their circumstances change, or at their next review. Since 4 March 2025, they can also make a plan management request, which the NDIA must agree to unless the NDIS Act or Rules allow otherwise. Get the change in writing before you redirect invoices.
“Plan managers are being phased out”
Not quite. Plan management continues, but from 1 October 2027 only providers on an NDIA panel will be allowed to deliver it, with an initial 6-month transition period. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026 passed Parliament on 19 August 2026 and received Royal Assent on 20 August 2026.
How to keep each workflow clean
Record the management type for each client, and for each funding portion if they mix types, alongside who receives the invoice. In splose, NDIS bulk upload handles agency-managed claims. We also recommend reading how splose supports disability and NDIS practices.
Frequently asked questions
What does self-management mean in the NDIS?
Self-management means the participant, their plan nominee, or a child representative manages the NDIS funding and pays providers directly. They can self-manage all or part of their funding, but they must give the NDIA their bank account details before they can claim.
How does a self-managed NDIS plan work?
A self-managed participant can either claim after receiving your invoice and then pay you, or pay you first and claim reimbursement. Either way, they can't claim before you've delivered the support, and the NDIA generally pays their nominated bank account within 2 business days. They must keep claim records, such as invoices and receipts, for 5 years.
Do self-managed NDIS clients need a service agreement?
Not for most supports. The NDIA recommends a written service agreement but requires one only for SDA supports under the NDIS rules, though it strongly encourages one as best practice for other supports, particularly Supported Independent Living (SIL). The NDIA doesn't record or enforce agreements, so you don't send them to it.
What are the three types of NDIS funding?
The three ways to manage NDIS funding are self-managed, plan-managed, and agency-managed (also called NDIA-managed). Participants can combine them in one plan, for example by self-managing one part and leaving the rest with the NDIA.
Can I change from plan-managed to self-managed?
Yes, in most cases. A participant can change how they manage their plan if their circumstances change or at their next review, and the NDIA must agree to a plan management request unless the NDIS Act or Rules allow otherwise. They can also ask for a variation or reassessment at any time.
Provider billing is a learning curve
Agency-managed means you claim from the NDIA. Plan-managed means you invoice the plan manager. Self-managed means you invoice the participant. Confirm the type before the first session and put it on file, so you bill the right party.
