What is NDIS Plan Management, and How Does It Work?
NDIS plan management is when a registered plan manager handles the financial administration of your plan-managed funding. They check and submit claims, pay providers, monitor your budget, keep financial records, and provide statements. You continue to choose your providers within your plan requirements. If your plan includes funding for plan management, that allocation is separate from your other supports. For the full explanation, refer our guide to NDIS plan management 2026 guide to NDIS plan management →
WHAT DOES FAST PAYMENT PROCESSING MEAN?
Provider payments involve several stages, from receiving an invoice to paying your provider.
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First2Care processes correct invoices within one business day of receiving them. We check invoices and submit eligible claims in line with your agreed authorisation arrangements. NDIA processing and payment to your provider follow as separate stages.
HOW LONG DOES THE FULL PAYMENT PROCESS TAKE?
The NDIA states that it processes submitted claims and generally pays them within 2 to 3 business days after submission. Currently plan managers then pay providers after receiving the funds.
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The payment process follows these stages:
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Invoice received: Your provider sends the invoice to First2Care.
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Invoice checked: We check it against your plan, available funding and applicable requirements.
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Claim authorised: We follow your agreed claim-authorisation arrangements.
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Claim submitted: We submit an eligible claim through the relevant NDIS provider portal.
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Funds released: The NDIA processes the claim and releases the funds.
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Provider paid: We pay your provider after receiving the funds.
DOES FIRST2CARE WORK OUTSIDE QUEENSLAND?
Yes. First2Care supports participants across Australia by phone, email and online.
For Queensland-specific information, refer to our guide to fast NDIS payment processing in Queensland →
WHAT CAN PROVIDERS EXPECT?
First2Care processes correct invoices within one business day of receiving them. Complete and accurate invoice information helps us check and submit eligible claims.
Each invoice should include:
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A valid ABN, unless an exemption applies.
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The participant’s name and NDIS number.
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Service dates.
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A clear description of the support.
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The applicable support item and price.
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Payment details that match the business details recorded with First2Care.
WHAT CAN PARTICIPANTS EXPECT?
First2Care checks invoices, follows your agreed claim-authorisation arrangements, submits eligible claims and pays providers after receiving the funds. We also provide financial information and reports to help you understand your plan-managed spending.
You can review available invoice information through First2Care’s portal. This is separate from the official NDIS participant portal linked to your plan.
WHAT CAN CAUSE PAYMENT DELAYS?
Payment may take longer when:
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Invoice information is missing or incorrect
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Available funding needs to be checked
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A corrected invoice is required
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The agreed authorisation step is incomplete
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The NDIA reviews or places the claim on hold
HOW CAN I CHECK A DELAYED PAYMENT?
Ask First2Care whether the invoice has been received, checked, submitted or paid. You can also review available information in the First2Care portal or check plan information through the official NDIS participant portal linked to your current plan.
Talk to First2Care
If you are comparing national plan managers, ask what each payment timeframe covers: invoice, claims and checking, claim submission, NDIA processing or payment to the provider.
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For help with plan management, call 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au.
Providers can send complete invoices or invoice questions to accounts@first2care.com.au.