Does the NDIS publish a list of the best plan managers?

No. The NDIA provides a provider finder and guidance on researching plan managers, but it does not publish a ranked list of providers.

What should I look for in a plan manager?

Compare registration, communication, invoice and claim processes, budget information, participant approval, provider choice and service agreement terms.

Is plan management funded separately?

Yes. When your support budgets are plan managed, the plan includes separate funding for a registered plan manager. It does not reduce your other NDIS support budgets.

Can I use unregistered providers?

Plan-managed funding can generally be used with registered or unregistered providers, except for supports that require a registered provider.

How fast should a plan manager process invoices?

The NDIS does not publish a standard plan-manager processing timeframe. Ask each provider how its timeframe is measured and what can affect it.

Can I change plan managers?

Yes. You can change during your plan. Check the notice and handover terms in your current service agreement.

Updated Aug 2026 • 7 min read

Best NDIS Plan Managers in Australia (2026 Comparison)

First2Care article illustration about the best NDIS plan managers in Australia featuring two people reviewing a comparison chart with rankings, star ratings, and award badges

There is no single NDIS plan manager that will be the best choice for every participant. The best plan manager for you is the registered provider whose communication, invoice processes, budget information and service agreement meet your needs.

The NDIS recommends researching several plan managers, asking questions before signing up and using a service agreement that clearly describes what each party has agreed to. This 2026 comparison gives you a consistent set of criteria to use when reviewing your options.

The NDIA does not publish a ranked list of plan managers. In this article, “best” means the registered provider whose service, communication and features best meet your individual needs.

In this guide

01

What a plan manager does

02

What to compare when choosing a plan manager

03

Questions to ask each plan manager

04

How to compare invoice processing information

05

How to compare budget tools and reports

06

Independent, specialist and multi-service providers

07

How First2Care approaches plan management

08

Our recommendation

09

Can you change plan managers

10

Frequently asked questions

What does an NDIS plan manager do?

The NDIS information about plan managers says a plan manager can help you understand your plan, monitor your budget, check and submit claims, pay providers, keep records and provide regular statements and funding updates.

A plan manager should also make sure you are aware of and approve claims before submission, so the invoice matches the support delivered. You continue to choose your providers and use your funding in line with your plan.

Plan management funding is included separately in your plan when your support budgets are plan managed. It is used to pay for the plan management service and does not reduce your other NDIS support budgets.

What to compare when choosing a plan manager

1 Registration and clear service information

Every plan manager must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Ask the provider to explain its service, fees, contact options and service agreement in a way that is easy to understand.

2 Communication that works for you

Ask how you can contact the team, who will answer your questions and how often you will receive updates. Ask whether the provider can adapt its service to your communication needs.

3 Invoice and claim processing

Ask how invoices are received, checked and approved, and what happens when more information is needed. Confirm whether an advertised timeframe measures invoice receipt, claim submission or provider payment.

4 Budget information

Ask how you will receive monthly statements, spending updates and notifications when spending is not tracking as expected. If there is a portal, ask what information it shows.

5 Freedom to Use Any Provider.

Ask how you will see and confirm invoices or claims before submission.

6 Provider choice

Plan-managed funding generally allows registered and unregistered providers, except for supports that require a registered provider. Ask how the plan manager works with your chosen providers.

7 Service agreement and changing providers

Check the services included, communication process, fees, notice period, final invoices and transfer of records.

Questions to ask each plan manager

How will you help me understand my plan and budget?

Ask what information is provided at setup and during the plan.

How do you obtain my approval for claims?

Ask how you will confirm that the support delivered matches the invoice.

How do you process invoices?

Ask what providers need to include and how corrections are handled.

Do you provide other NDIS services?

Understanding the organisation’s services can help you ask how roles and provider choice are kept clear.

What happens if I choose another plan manager?

Confirm the notice period and handover process in writing.

The NDIS guide to finding a plan manager recommends researching several providers, asking questions before signing up and using a service agreement.

How to compare invoice processing information

The NDIS does not publish one standard processing timeframe for plan managers. Once a valid claim is submitted, the NDIA generally pays recorded providers within 2 to 3 business days. The plan manager’s own processing time is a separate stage.

Ask what can affect processing, how you will be updated and whether the stated timeframe applies only to complete, correct invoices. This gives you a clearer comparison than a headline number alone.

Read First2Care’s NDIS invoice processing time guide for more detail.

How to compare budget tools and reports

Every plan manager must provide monthly financial statements. Ask what the statements include and whether additional budget information is available between statements.

A portal can be helpful if you prefer to check spending and processed invoices at a time that suits you. Compare portal access alongside communication, statements and team support.

Independent, specialist and multi-service providers

Some plan managers specialise only in plan management. Others are part of organisations that provide several NDIS services. Both models can meet NDIS registration requirements.

Ask how the organisation’s services are structured, how provider choice is supported and how overlapping interests are explained. Choose the structure and service model that are clear and suitable for you.

First2Care’s independent and corporate plan manager comparison explains these models in more detail.

How First2Care approaches plan management

First2Care is an independent, specialist NDIS plan management provider operating across Australia. Plan management is our NDIS service.

Our service includes invoice and claim processing, provider payments, record keeping, monthly statements, budget information and Plan Magic portal access. Participants continue to choose their providers, supports and goals.

Complete and correct invoices are processed promptly. NDIA checks, provider-recording issues, participant approval and invoice corrections can affect the final payment time.

Our recommendation

Use the comparison criteria to identify the provider that best meets your needs. A strong choice is a registered plan manager that clearly explains its role, offers communication that works for you and provides useful information about invoices, claims and budgets.

Compare several providers, ask the same questions and keep a written record of the answers. This helps you check that the service agreement matches what was discussed.

First2Care website grey blob 2_edited_edited.png

Can you change plan managers?

Yes. The NDIS says you can change plan managers during your plan and do not need to wait for the plan to end. Check the notice and handover terms in your current service agreement before changing.

First2Care’s guide to switching NDIS plan managers explains the steps.

The best plan manager for you is the registered provider whose communication, invoice processes, budget information and service agreement meet your needs.

Take time to research, ask questions and compare the answers. Clear information before you sign up can help you choose confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How First2Care can help

If you would like to compare First2Care’s service, contact the team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au. We can explain our invoice process, budget information, communication options and service agreement.

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NDIS Bill Has Passed the Senate: What Happens Next?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 passed Parliament on 19 August 2026. The Governor-General signed the new laws on 20 August 2026, and the first changes will begin on 27 August 2026. The laws change several parts of the NDIS at different times. This article explains what was originally proposed, what the Senate amendments clarified, what happens next, and what the confirmed changes may mean for NDIS partici

What Happens After You Sign Up With a Plan Manager?

For many participants, choosing a plan manager is the easy part. What happens next is the part that feels unclear. The process is simpler than most people expect. You sign a service agreement. Your plan manager is connected to your NDIS plan. Your providers are set up. Invoices start being processed. Most of this happens within a week or two of your first conversation. Your supports continue. Your daily routine does not change. This guide explains what happens after you sign

Two people looking at a board showing four NDIS support icons: a house, an accessibility symbol with a green tick, a car, and a lightbulb.

What Can You Spend NDIS Funding On?

If you have ever wondered what your NDIS funding can actually be used for, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions participants ask, and the most important to get right. Understanding what NDIS funding can be used for, one category at a time. Your NDIS funding exists to support your independence, your goals, and your participation in everyday life. It can be used for supports that are related to your disability, meet the reasonable and necessary criteria,

First2Care is an independent, registered NDIS plan management provider (ABN 24 601 046 155), registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and operating across Australia. This article is general information current as of August 2026. “Best” describes the registered provider that best meets an individual participant’s needs; it is not an official NDIA ranking or endorsement. For information about your circumstances, speak with your my NDIS contact, Local Area Coordinator, support coordinator or the First2Care team.

Best NDIS Plan Managers in Australia (2026 Comparison)

In this guide

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

What does an NDIS plan manager do?

What to compare when choosing a plan manager

1

Registration and clear service information

2

Communication that works for you

3

Invoice and claim processing

4

Budget information

5

Freedom to Use Any Provider.

6

Provider choice

7

Service agreement and changing providers

Questions to ask each plan manager

How will you help me understand my plan and budget?

How do you obtain my approval for claims?

How do you process invoices?

Do you provide other NDIS services?

What happens if I choose another plan manager?

How to compare invoice processing information

How to compare budget tools and reports

Independent, specialist and multi-service providers

How First2Care approaches plan management

Our recommendation

Can you change plan managers?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the NDIS publish a list of the best plan managers?

What should I look for in a plan manager?

Is plan management funded separately?

Can I use unregistered providers?

How fast should a plan manager process invoices?

Can I change plan managers?

How First2Care can help

NDIS Bill Has Passed the Senate: What Happens Next?

What Happens After You Sign Up With a Plan Manager?

What Can You Spend NDIS Funding On?