What is NDIS plan management?

NDIS plan management is a support option that helps people with disability manage the financial side of their NDIS plan. Instead of handling invoices, payments, and budgeting on your own, you can choose to have a registered plan manager take care of these tasks for you. Their role is to make your NDIS experience easier, more flexible, and less stressful, so you can focus on achieving your goals and getting the support you need.
There are three ways you can manage your NDIS funding:

• Self-managed: You take full control of your budget, payments, and service bookings.
• NDIA-managed (Agency-managed): The National Disability Insurance Agency pays providers directly, but only if the provider is NDIS‑registered.
• Plan-managed: A plan manager handles the financial administration for you, including processing invoices, updating you regularly on your spending, and helping you use your funds with confidence.

Choosing plan management gives you both freedom and support — you can work with NDIS‑registered and non‑registered providers while having someone experienced manage the paperwork and financial responsibilities on your behalf.

What does a plan manager do?

A plan manager supports you by taking care of the financial administration of your NDIS plan, making it easier for you to focus on your goals rather than paperwork. Think of them as a helpful partner who manages the day‑to‑day budgeting tasks so you can use your funding with confidence.
A plan manager’s role includes:

• Paying invoices from your service providers promptly and accurately
• Tracking your budget so you always know how much funding is available
• Expert advice on NDIS guidelines, NDIS approval supports and the Price Guide
• Maintaining financial records that meet NDIS requirements
• Sending you regular statements (usually monthly) to keep you updated on your spending
• Explaining your funding and helping you understand how to use your plan in a way that best supports your needs
• Real time access to your budget with our online portal, giving you clear visibility to your funds

A good plan manager aims to make your NDIS journey smoother, less stressful, and more transparent.

Why choose plan management?

Plan management gives you greater choice and support in how you use your NDIS funding. It’s designed to make managing your plan simpler and more flexible, while still keeping you in control. Many people choose plan management because it offers the best balance between independence and assistance.
Here are some of the key benefits:

• More flexibility: You can use both NDIS‑registered and unregistered providers, giving you a wider range of options for supports and services.
• Less stress: Your plan manager takes care of invoices, payments, and financial record‑keeping, saving you time and removing the hassle of paperwork.
• No extra cost: Plan management is fully funded by the NDIS, which means it won’t reduce your other budgets or impact the supports you receive.

Choosing plan management allows you to focus on your goals while having someone experienced handle the financial side of your plan.

​How to Get Plan Management

You can request plan management during your NDIS planning meeting or plan review. Simply let your planner or Local Area Coordinator know that you’d like a plan manager to support you with the financial side of your plan. If approved, the NDIS will include dedicated funding for plan management under your Improved Life Choices or Choice and Control budget. This funding is added on top of your other supports and does not reduce any part of your plan.
If plan management is already included in your current NDIS plan, you’re welcome to choose any plan manager you prefer. If you'd like us to support you, you can follow the "Register" link on our website to get started, and our team will guide you through each step.
Plan management is designed to give you confidence, flexibility, and support - so you can focus on what matters most.

How to switch plan managers?

Switching plan managers is simple and you can change at any time. Your NDIS funding belongs to you, so you’re free to choose the provider who best supports your needs. To switch:

1. Choose your new plan manager – Find the provider you want to move to and let them know you’d like to sign up. Note their provider number. You may need to complete new sign up forms with them
2. Notify your current plan manager – Send them a short email advising that you’re changing providers and asking them to end service from a specific date. 
3. For plans in the PRODA system- If it is a Plan that started before Jan 2024, it may be in the PRODA system. You will please need to request the previous Plan Manager to release the funding and agreement and when this is done the new Plan Manager can pick up the funding to start processing Invoices. 
4. For PACE Plans-  If its a new Plan it would be in the PACE format. The new Plan Manager needs PACE portal visibility. This needs to be completed by the participant or nominee contacting the NDIS and requesting that we are the participants registered Plan Manager. Calling them is the best option on 1800 800 110. 

There is no gap in your funding, no cost to switch, and no need to wait for a new NDIS plan — you can make the change whenever you’re ready. You can help you every step of the way.

How much does plan management cost?

Plan management does not cost you anything.

It is fully funded by the NDIS under the Improved Life Choices (Capacity Building) budget. This funding is added on top of your existing supports and does not reduce your Core, Capacity Building, or Capital budgets.
This means you can choose plan management at any time without paying out of pocket or losing access to any other supports.

Why choose Step 2 Plan Management?

Step 2 Plan Management offers a personalised, reliable, and flexible service that puts you at the centre of every decision. Our team combines experience in allied health, business, and disability support to ensure your NDIS funding is managed with accuracy, clarity, and care.
People choose Step 2 because we offer:

• Fast invoice processing
• Clear communication and real support from real people
• Easy‑to‑use technology for tracking your funding
• Local knowledge with national reach
• A friendly team that values respect, independence, and choice

We’re here to simplify the NDIS and empower you to use your plan with confidence.

What areas do we service?

We provide Plan Management services across regional Victoria and Australia‑wide. With physical offices located in Geelong, Colac and Warrnambool, we support participants throughout the wider southwest Victorian region—including both major towns and smaller coastal and rural communities. Even if you’re not based near one of our offices, you can still access our services, as we proudly support national NDIS participants in every state and territory.
To help participants easily find us, here are some of the key Victorian suburbs, towns and regions we regularly support:
Greater Geelong Region:
Geelong, Belmont, Highton, Newtown, Waurn Ponds, Armstrong Creek, Grovedale, Lara, Corio, North Geelong, Leopold, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Portarlington, St Leonards, Bannockburn, Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet.
Surf Coast & Great Ocean Road:
Torquay, Jan Juc, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Skene’s Creek, Marengo.
Colac Otway Region:
Colac, Elliminyt, Birregurra, Forrest, Gellibrand, Barwon Downs, Beech Forest, Carlisle River, Cressy, Cororooke, Coragulac.
Warrnambool & South West Victoria:
Warrnambool, Dennington, Koroit, Port Fairy, Timboon, Cobden, Camperdown, Terang, Mortlake, Allansford, Peterborough, Hamilton, Portland.
Ballarat & Central Victoria:
While not office‑based, we frequently support participants in Ballarat, Wendouree, Invermay Park, Sebastopol, Buninyong, Creswick, Daylesford, Maryborough and surrounding areas.
Australia‑Wide (Online/National Service):
We also provide plan management to participants in Melbourne, Tasmania, South Australia, NSW, Queensland, ACT, NT and WA—no matter where you live, we can support your NDIS plan.

Can I change to Plan Management mid‑plan?

Yes, you can switch to Plan Management at any time during your NDIS plan. You don’t need to wait for a plan review. Simply contact the NDIS and request to add plan management funding to your current plan. Once approved, the NDIS will update your plan to include funding for plan management services. You can also choose to have only certain parts of your plan plan‑managed, while keeping other sections self‑managed or agency‑managed if that suits you better.