Is plan management funded separately?

Yes. When your support budgets are plan managed, the NDIA includes separate funding for the plan management service. It does not reduce your other NDIS support budgets.

Can I use unregistered providers with plan management?

Yes. Plan management allows you to use both registered and unregistered providers, giving you more flexibility and choice.

Must a plan manager provide monthly statements?

Yes. The NDIS says plan managers must provide a monthly financial statement and let participants know when spending is not tracking as expected.

How should I compare invoice-processing timeframes?

Ask what stage the timeframe measures, what information the invoice must include and what can affect processing.

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 • 6 min read

What Makes a Good NDIS Plan Manager? 10 Things to Look For

Q: What makes a good NDIS plan manager?

A good plan manager is registered, explains the service clearly, obtains your approval for claims, provides monthly statements and communicates in a way that works for you.

Friendly guide to choosing plan manager NDIS, with two people checking ten qualities of a good plan manager using a checklist, magnifying glass and gold star.

Choosing a good plan manager is about finding a registered provider that can help you understand and use the financial side of your plan. A good NDIS plan manager should make invoices, claims, provider payments and budget information easier to follow.

The right service will also work with your communication preferences and give you clear information before you sign a service agreement. You should understand what the plan manager will do, how you will approve claims, how often you will receive budget information and who to contact when you have a question.

This guide explains ten qualities to compare. You can use the questions in each section when speaking with any plan manager, so you can choose the registered provider whose service works well for you.

If you are new to plan management, our complete guide to NDIS plan management explains the basics first.

In this guide

01

What does a plan manager do?

02

Choosing a plan manager: 10 qualities to compare

03

Reviewing your current plan management service

04

Questions to ask a plan manager

05

How First2Care Approaches Plan Management

06

Frequently asked questions

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What does a plan manager do?

The NDIS guide to plan managers explains that 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.

You continue to choose your providers and use your funding in line with your plan. Your plan manager should make sure you are aware of and approve claims before they are submitted, so the supports delivered match the invoice.

Plan management funding is included separately 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.

Before you compare providers. All plan managers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. After confirming registration, compare the way each provider delivers the service.

Choosing a Plan Manager: 10 Qualities That Matter

01 Prompt and careful invoice processing

A good plan manager has a clear process for checking invoices and submitting eligible claims. If more information is needed, the team should explain what needs to be updated. Ask what the advertised timeframe measures. Receiving an invoice, submitting a claim and paying a provider are separate stages.

Question to ask: How do you process invoices, and what can affect the timeframe?

02 Clear budget information

Your plan manager should provide monthly financial statements showing what has been spent, what remains and whether spending is tracking as expected.

Some providers also offer budget alerts or portal access between monthly statements. These can help you check budget and processed invoice information at a time that suits you.

Question to ask: What budget information will I receive, and how often?

03 A clear claim approval process

You should know about and approve claims before they are submitted. This helps confirm that the support shown on the invoice was delivered. The approval process should be easy to understand and suitable for your communication preferences.

Question to ask: How will I review and approve claims?

04 Communication that works for you

You should know how to contact the plan manager, which communication options are available and when you can expect an update. You may prefer a named contact, a trained service team, email, telephone support or online access. The important point is that the communication method works for you.

Question to ask: Which contact methods and accessible communication options are available?

05 Easy-to-understand explanations

A good plan manager explains budgets, invoices and claims using direct, everyday language. The team should also explain when the NDIA, a support coordinator or another appropriate contact needs to provide further information.

Question to ask: How will you explain financial information when I have a question?

06 Respect for your provider choices

You continue to choose your providers. With plan-managed funding, you can generally use registered or unregistered providers, except for supports that require a registered provider. Your plan manager administers funding for the providers you choose and explains any invoice, pricing, budget or claiming requirement that applies.

Question to ask: How will you work with my chosen providers?

07 Accurate records and regular reports

Your plan manager should keep accurate records of invoices, claims and provider payments. You should receive regular information about how your plan-managed funding has been used and be able to request relevant reports.

Question to ask: What records and reports can I access?

08 Attention to your individual plan

Your budgets, providers and communication preferences are specific to you. A good plan manager should provide financial information based on your plan and support arrangements. The plan manager does not decide which supports you should use. You continue to make those choices.

Question to ask: How will your service work with my plan and communication preferences?

09 Clear communication with people you authorise

When you give permission, your plan manager should communicate clearly with your nominee, support coordinator or providers. The plan manager should respect your privacy and only share information in line with your instructions and applicable requirements.

Question to ask: How will information be shared when I give permission?

10 A service agreement you understand

The service agreement should clearly explain:

The services provided
How communication works
The plan management fees
How questions and complaints are handled
How long the agreement applies
The notice and handover process
Ask for any unclear wording to be explained before signing.

Question to ask: Can you explain the agreement, including the notice and handover terms?

Reviewing Your Current Plan Management Service

You can review your plan management service at any time. Consider whether you receive clear budget information, understand the invoice process, know how to contact the team and can access the records or statements you need.

If you would like a different service approach, you can compare other registered plan managers. Check the notice and handover terms in your current service agreement before changing.

Questions to ask a plan manager

What happens when I join? Ask about the setup meeting, information required and expected next steps.
How will I approve claims? Ask how you will confirm that the support delivered matches the invoice.
How do you measure invoice processing time? Confirm whether the timeframe refers to receipt, submission or payment.
What budget information will I receive? Ask about monthly statements, spending updates, alerts and portal access.
How can I contact you? Ask about contact channels, response information and accessible communication options.
How do you work with my providers? Ask where invoices are sent and how invoice questions are explained.
What are the service agreement terms? Check duration, fees, notice, complaints and handover arrangements.

The NDIS guide to finding a plan manager recommends researching several providers, writing down useful comparison information and making a service agreement.

How First2Care Approaches Plan Management

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

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

Complete, correct invoices are processed promptly. If more information is needed, our team explains what is required. The final payment timeframe may be affected by participant approval, invoice updates, provider-recording requirements or an NDIA review.

We can explain our communication options, setup process and service agreement so you can decide whether First2Care meets your needs.

Frequently Asked questions

Talk to First2Care About Plan Management

If you would like to compare First2Care’s service, contact us on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au. We can explain our communication options, invoice process, budget information and service agreement, so you can decide whether First2Care meets your needs.

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