Who is responsible for slow payments, the NDIA or my plan manager?

Often it can be the plan manager. The NDIA typically pays valid claims within 2 to 3 business days of submission, so the payment speed will be however long the invoice is with the plan manager plus the NDIA's time. The NDIS is increasingly reviewing claims before payment as part of its payment integrity checks, which can extend payment time. Most of the wait happens before a claim is submitted.

Is it true the claiming timeframe is changing?

Yes. Under the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations reforms, claims must be lodged within 90 days of the service being delivered.

Does faster payment cost me anything?

No. Plan management is funded by the NDIS through a separate budget line in your plan. Fast, accurate invoice processing is part of the standard service, and you should expect it as a minimum.

NDIS Payment Timeframes: What They Mean for You

Q: How long should it take for my providers to be paid?

A correct invoice should be processed within 3 to 5 business days of receipt. Because the NDIA usually pays valid claims within 2 to 3 business days, most providers are paid within about 3 to 5 business days, though it can occasionally take a little longer.

Q: Why is one of my providers taking longer to be paid than the others?

Each provider may have differences in how they create an invoice. If one of your providers is regularly being paid slower than others, we can work with them to ensure their invoice is in the best possible shape to process.

Q: Can I change plan managers if payments are slow?

Yes. You can change at any time, you do not need to wait for your plan reassessment. You let your current plan manager know in writing and sign a service agreement with your new one. First2Care can guide you through every step.

First2Care Team

Aug 26

5 min read

Updated: Sep 18

Your providers send invoices after they deliver your supports. Your plan manager checks each invoice, submits an eligible claim and pays the provider after the NDIS releases the funds.

Most invoices move through this process without you needing to do anything. If a payment takes longer, there may be a simple reason that needs to be checked. Knowing what can affect an invoice can help you ask the right questions without taking responsibility for resolving the issue yourself.

First2Care Illustration of participant reviewing their NDIS budget on a laptop, with invoices, coins and a clock showing how funding is tracked across a plan.

How provider payments work

For plan managed funding, the usual process is:

Your provider sends an invoice to your plan manager.
Your plan manager checks that the invoice matches your plan, available funding and NDIS claiming requirements.
Your plan manager submits an eligible claim to the NDIA.
After the NDIA pays the claim, your plan manager pays your provider.

The NDIS says plan managers should pay providers or reimburse participants in a timely manner, and that this should be within 2 business days of receiving payment from the NDIA. Read the NDIS guidance for plan managers.

What can affect an invoice timeframe

An invoice may take longer when:

Information is missing or needs correcting, such as the service date, support item or provider details.
The invoice does not match your plan, available funding or the support delivered.
You ask for the invoice to be checked before it is paid.
The NDIA selects the claim for additional review.
An older claim needs extra evidence or information.

Your plan manager should explain what is happening clearly and contact the provider of information needs to be corrected. Your private budget information should not be shared with a provider unless you have agreed to it.

Older claims may take longer

From 16 July 2026, the NDIA began extra checks on claims submitted 6 months or more after a support was delivered. These checks apply to claims from self-managed participants, plan managers and providers.

An older claim may be held for up to 28 days while the NDIA completes its checks. The NDIA will contact the person making the claim if more information is needed. Read the NDIS update on older claims.

This is separate from the new 90-day claiming timeframe. Prompt invoicing remains useful because it gives everyone a clearer and more current view of your plan spending.

A confirm change to claiming timeframes

Under the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Act 2026, the timeframe to claim for a support reduces from two years to 90 days.

The Parliament passed the Bill on 19 August 2026, and it received Royal Assent the following day. The new claiming timeframe applies from December 2026.

This changes how long your provider and plan manager have to complete the claiming process. It does not change your plan funding or the supports you can use it for.

What you can do if a provider is waiting for payment

You do not need to manage the payment issue on your own. You can:

Ask your plan manager whether the invoice has been received, checked and submitted.
Ask whether the plan manager or the NDIA needs more information.
Check your latest monthly statement to understand your plan spending and remaining funding.
Ask your plan manager to explain any action you need to take.

You can choose a different plan manager

You can choose to change your plan manager. Before ending the arrangement, check your service agreement for any notice period and tell your current plan manager that you want to change. A new service agreement can then be set up with your chosen plan manager.

How First2Care can help

First2Care checks each invoice against your plan-managed funding, the funding currently available and the NDIS claiming requirements that apply. If information is missing or appears incorrect, we contact the provider and explain what needs to be updated.

Plan management is funded separately by the NDIA under Improved Life Choices. It does not come out of the funding for your other supports and costs you nothing out of pocket.

If you have a question about an invoice, you may call us on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Payment Timeframes

Select each question to show or hide the answer. You can read them in any order and open only the answers you need.

How long should it take for my providers to be paid?

A reasonable standard is 2 to 5 business days for your plan manager to process a correct invoice, plus 2 to 3 business days for the NDIA to pay the claim. Most providers are paid within about a week. If the NDIA reviews a claim before payment, it can take longer.

What affects how quickly a provider is paid?

Payment involves several stages: your provider sends the invoice, your plan manager checks it against your plan and available funding, the claim is submitted, and the NDIA processes it. Most of the time is usually taken up before the claim is submitted, so an invoice that needs correcting will take longer. The NDIA also reviews some claims before payment as part of its integrity checks.

Why is one of my providers taking longer to be paid than the others?

Providers set out their invoices differently, and some include everything needed the first time. If one provider is regularly slower that the rest, we can work with them on what to include so their invoices are ready to process.

What happens with older invoices?

From 16 July 2026, the NDIA applies extra checks to claims submitted 6 months or more after a support was delivered. These claims may be held for up to 28 days while checks are completed, and the NDIA will make contact if more information is needed.

Is the claiming timeframe is changing?

Yes. Under the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Act 2026, the timeframe to claim reduces from two years to 90 days from the date the support was delivered. Parliament passed the Bill on 19 August 2026, and it received Royal Assent the following day. The new timeframe applies from December 2026.

Can I change plan managers if payments are slow?

Yes, at any time. You do not need to wait for a plan reassessment. Check your service agreement for any notice period, let your current plan manager know, and sign a new service agreement with your chosen plan manager.

First2Care is a registered NDIS plan management provider (ABN: 24 601 046 155), registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This article is general information only. For advice specific to your plan, please speak with your my NDIS contact, your Local Area Coordinator, or the First2Care team on 1300 322 273.