Are there any restrictions on how much money can be managed by a registered or unregistered plan manager outside of the scope of the national disability insurance scheme (ndis)?

These providers are known as plan managers. Plan administration is not the same as having the NDIA manage your NDIS plan funds or you choosing to self-administer them. NDIS compliance means following the standards established by the NDIA and the National Commission for Quality and Safeguards (NDIS Commission). An NDIS partner in the community that provides local or early childhood coordination services can support you in implementing and monitoring the plan.

If you are not satisfied with the result or do not want to discuss the matter with your plan administrator, you can file a complaint with the NDIS Commission. The plan administrator may be required to refund any amount that hasn't been spent according to your plan. If your plan is managed by the NDIS or by a plan, your provider must comply with the NDIS price agreements and price limits. Plan administrators are also expected to meet the service expectations set out in the NDIS Guide to Plan Management.

The NDIA expects the plan administrator to validate an invoice and submit a payment request to the NDIA within five business days of receiving it. If you have a complaint with your plan administrator's service, start by talking to your plan administrator. Once an invoice or receipt has been issued and sent to the plan administrator, the plan administrator will submit a claim for that amount to the NDIS. When the plan administrator detects excessive or under-expected spending, they should report it to them as soon as possible, regardless of how often the reports are submitted.

Plan administration is not the same as having the NDIA manage your NDIS plan funds or you deciding to self-manage your plan. If you use a plan manager, providers cannot charge more than the price limits described in the NDIS price agreements and price limits. If you change the plan administrator, the new plan administrator becomes responsible for the ongoing management of your plan. No, the role of the plan administrator is not to determine if the supports or services purchased are “reasonable and necessary.” This will involve regular reporting on the budgets managed by the plan, as described in the NDIS Guide to Plan Management.

The guide does not prescribe what services the plan administrator must provide, so the services offered may vary. If your NDIS plan funds are being spent faster than expected and there is a risk that the funds will run out before your next review, the plan administrator should talk to you about it.