What’s Changing for NDIS Plan Management?: What We Know So Far

The future of NDIS plan management has become one of the most talked-about topics in the disability community lately.

Significant reforms have been proposed that could change how plan management services are delivered from October 2027 onwards. The Government has announced plans to introduce a panel of approved plan management providers, selected through a competitive tender process.

Although many details are still being developed, plan management is expected to remain an important part of the NDIS. Understanding the changes proposed so far can help you stay informed and prepare for the future.

What We Know So Far

The biggest proposed change is a move away from the current open-market model towards a commissioned panel arrangement.

Currently, participants can choose from a wide range of registered plan management providers. Under the proposed reforms, the NDIA would create a panel of approved plan managers selected through a competitive tender process. Participants would still be able to choose their plan manager, but limited only from providers accepted onto the approved panel.

Based on information released so far, the proposed timeline includes:

• From April 2027, plan managers who want to join the panel would need to apply through the Request for Tender (RFT) process.

• From October 2027, the plan management panel is expected to begin, with a 6-month transition period for participants whose current plan manager is not selected.

• By April 2028, participants using plan management would generally need to access services through a panel-approved provider.

The Government has stated that these changes are intended to improve service quality, strengthen integrity measures, and help reduce fraud across the NDIS.

The reforms continue to recognise the important role plan managers play in supporting participants to manage budgets, process claims, and navigate the practical side of their NDIS funding.

What This Could Mean for NDIS Plan Management

One possible outcome of the proposed reforms is a reduction in the number of plan management providers operating in the NDIS.

Australia currently has a large number of plan managers. If a smaller panel of approved providers is introduced, some level of consolidation is likely. Some providers may secure a place on the panel, while others may choose not to participate or may not meet the final selection criteria once they are released.

For participants, support coordinators, providers, and communities that have built strong relationships with smaller plan managers, this could lead to changes in who they work with in the future.

At this stage, no final decisions have been made, and the full impact of the reforms is still unknown.

What Questions are Still Unanswered?

Although the overall direction appears clearer than it was months ago, many details have not yet been released.

The exact requirements providers will need to meet to join the panel have not yet been released. There is also limited information about pricing arrangements, service expectations, participant safeguards, and how applications will be assessed.

There are also questions around how many providers may ultimately be selected and what the plan management market could look like once the panel is established.

Another area still being developed is conflict of interest reform. The Government has indicated that it wants to eliminate conflicts of interest within the NDIS, particularly where organisations provide both plan management and other NDIS-funded services. However, the specific requirements and implementation details have not yet been confirmed.

More information is expected to be released in the coming months.

Will Participants Need to Change Plan Managers?

For now, participants do not need to make any changes.

If the proposed panel model proceeds as currently outlined, participants whose plan manager is not selected would be supported through a transition process. Based on information released so far, this transition period is expected to last 6 months.

Until the tender process is completed and panel providers are confirmed, it is too early to know which organisations may be affected.

For now, participants can continue working with their current plan manager as usual. The NDIA has indicated that further updates will be provided as decisions are made and implementation planning progresses.

What This Means for First2Care

Change has always been part of the NDIS, and the future structure of plan management may look different in the coming years as well.

Since 2014, First2Care has grown into one of Australia's leading independent plan management providers, and we remain dedicated to being a trusted ally to the people and organisations we work alongside as the NDIS continues to change.

The proposed reforms place greater emphasis on independence, transparency, and accountability. These are principles that have long been part of how we operate. As an independent plan manager, we focus solely on plan management and do not provide other NDIS-funded supports.

Even as the NDIS evolves, we are committed to maintaining the values that have guided us since the beginning: genuine service, simple and efficient support, and helping people navigate their NDIS journey with confidence. As we continue to grow, our aim is to remain the same organisation our community already knows and trusts.

We are closely following developments as more information becomes available, and we will continue sharing factual updates and practical insights to help keep you informed.

For more information about the proposed reforms, visit the NDIS page on Changes to plan management.