Beyond Invoice Payments: What is Plan Management?
Half of all NDIS participants today have a Plan Manager, but there's much more to NDIS Plan Management than just quick invoice payments and digital budget tracking.
If you ask many families and support coordinators in the NDIS, “What is a Plan Manager?” they might respond by describing Plan Managers as NDIS bookkeepers. They’re not wrong; Plan Managers handle payments, budgeting, and paperwork. They take care of:
Paying invoices for therapists and service providers
Managing your funding
Keeping track of your spending
Understanding the NDIS funding rules
Increasing your choice of providers, including non-registered ones
However, this explanation barely scratches the surface of what Plan Management truly offers. It often focuses on what Plan Managers do, rather than how they can support participants. There’s little mention of how they empower individuals to take control of their plans and make decisions that allow them to live their best lives.
More Than Just Invoice Payments
Consider this scenario: A mother wants her grown son with autism, who has a Plan Manager, to take more control of his NDIS plan. He’s ready to understand his funding, make decisions on how to use it, and manage his own budget. If Plan Managers only handle invoice processing and budgeting, how can they support this transition?
Plan Management should be about more than passive transactions. In fact, the role of Plan Management falls under the NDIS category of capacity building. This isn’t by accident—Plan Managers are meant to help participants gain the confidence and skills needed to manage their funding independently.
Building Capacity and Confidence
The NDIS recognises this vision and has created a special service item called “Capacity Building and Training in Plan and Financial Management by a Plan Manager.” This item outlines how Plan Managers should build the capacity of participants to manage their plans and develop self-management skills. Yet, this may be one of the most under-utilized resources in the NDIS.
The best Plan Managers are more than just passive processors. They:
Understand your unique situation
Guide your spending choices
Build your budgeting skills
Give you the confidence to self-manage your funding
Empowering Participants for Independence
A good Plan Manager empowers you by making sense of the often complex NDIS scheme. They stay on top of the changes in the NDIS so that you can understand what your funding can do for you and grow more capable of managing it on your own.
True Plan Management aligns with the NDIS’s goal of increasing participant independence. It’s about transitioning from a parent managing their child’s plan to that child taking ownership and feeling confident enough to manage their own funds. A great Plan Manager will support you when you need them, but eventually, you might find yourself doing more on your own.
Get the Support You Need with Purple Leopard Plan Management
At Purple Leopard Plan Management, we’re committed to more than just processing invoices - we’re here to empower you. Whether you’re just starting out with the NDIS or looking to take control of your plan, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact us today and learn how we can help you build the skills and confidence to navigate your NDIS journey independently!