Do you manage your own NDIS plan? Or are you thinking about self-managing for the first time?
Self-management gives you more control. You choose your providers, manage your budget, and run your plan your way. But as of March 2025, the NDIS has updated the rules around self-managing. These changes aim to make self-management safer, clearer, and more consistent.
Let’s explore what’s changed, how it affects you, and how to move forward with confidence.
What Does It Mean to Self-Manage?
When you self-manage, you handle your NDIS funding yourself—or nominate someone you trust to do it for you. You choose your providers, including unregistered ones. You pay them directly and keep all receipts and invoices. You’re responsible for making sure your spending aligns with your plan goals and NDIS rules. Self-management is appealing because it gives you total freedom, but it also requires careful budgeting and record-keeping. You stay in control, but you carry the responsibility.
What’s Changed in 2025?
From 4 March 2025, the NDIA introduced stricter eligibility criteria for anyone who wants to self-manage part or all of their NDIS plan. Their goal? To make sure people who self-manage can handle the financial side safely and effectively.
Here’s what the NDIA now looks at when you apply to self-manage:
- Your financial track record: Have you followed your plan properly in the past? Have there been issues like overspending or misuse of funds?
- Your legal and financial situation: Are you currently bankrupt or involved in any financial proceedings?
- Any risks: Could your situation pose an “unreasonable risk” when managing NDIS funds?
If the NDIA finds concerns, they might not immediately say no. Instead, they may offer support options like training, shorter plan durations, or a chance to start with partial self-management and build up from there.
How the NDIA Now Assesses Self-Management Requests
The NDIA now follows a more structured approach when deciding whether to approve self-management. They assess your capability first, looking at whether you’ve managed funding responsibly in the past and whether there are any concerns like financial mismanagement or insolvency. If they identify risks, they may limit or decline self-management, but they also offer extra support to help you build your skills. This could include training in budgeting and record-keeping, starting with just a portion of your plan under self-management, or scheduling more regular plan reviews to keep things on track.
Most importantly, the NDIA bases its decision on your ability to manage funds effectively, not on your disability type or how much funding you receive. Their focus is on making sure self-management supports your goals and sets you up for success.
Why New Self-Management Criteria Matters
These new rules aren’t about taking choice away, they’re about keeping your funding safe and effective.
If you’re confident and capable, you can still self-manage just like before. If you need a bit of help, the NDIA now has clearer pathways to get you there. This approach gives you the opportunity to grow your independence at a pace that’s right for you, with the right checks in place.
Embracing NDIS Plan Management
While the new self-management criteria help ensure participants use their funding wisely, it’s worth knowing that plan management offers many of the same freedoms. Without the pressure of handling everything yourself. With plan management, you still get to choose your own providers (including unregistered ones), make decisions that align with your goals, and stay in full control of how your plan is used. The difference is, your Plan Manager takes care of the financial admin, like processing invoices, tracking your spending, and making sure everything follows NDIS rules. That means no risk of accidentally overspending, missing payments, or getting overwhelmed by paperwork. It’s the best of both worlds: freedom with support, and control without the stress.
Need Help Understanding How To Manage Your NDIS Plan?
Ready to simplify your NDIS journey? Get in touch with our friendly Plan Management team today and let’s help you make the most of your funding, without the admin overload.