What Is A Self-Managed NDIS Plan?

A self-managed NDIS plan means you manage your own NDIS funding. The NDIA says self-management gives you flexibility and choice over what supports you buy, who provides them, and how they are delivered, as long as those supports are in line with your plan. It also gives you flexibility to use both registered and unregistered providers.

At Careseekers, self-management works especially well for people who want more direct choice over who supports them. Because we are an NDIS-registered provider, you can combine the flexibility of self-management with the confidence of using a registered platform. 
 

The short answer

If you are self-managed, you have more control over:

• who provides your support
• how your support is arranged
• what rate is agreed
• how your budget is used across your plan

The NDIA says self-managed participants can:

• choose what NDIS supports they purchase
• choose who provides those supports
• use both registered and unregistered providers
• negotiate costs above or below the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
• directly employ or contract staff if they choose.
   

What are the benefits of self-management?

Self-management gives you the most flexibility.

According to the NDIA, the benefits include more choice over providers, more flexibility to negotiate costs, the ability to directly employ or contract staff, and more control over your budget and how support is arranged.

For many participants, that means:

• more choice over the worker they want
• more flexibility around routine and timing
• more direct communication
• more control over cost and value
• more ability to build consistent support relationships
   

What are the responsibilities?

Self-management gives you more control, but it also comes with more responsibility.

The NDIA says self-managed participants are responsible for:

• buying supports that are in line with their plan
• making agreements with providers
• managing funding so supports represent value for money
• paying providers on time
• keeping invoices and receipts for 5 years
• meeting employer obligations if they directly employ staff.

That means self-management works best when you are comfortable making decisions, organising payments and keeping records.
 

Can self-managed participants choose their own worker?

Yes.

This is one of the biggest reasons people choose self-management. The NDIA says self-managed participants can choose who provides their supports and can use registered or unregistered providers.

On Careseekers, that means you can:

• browse worker profiles
• compare experience and qualifications
• speak directly with workers
• choose the person who feels right for you
• arrange support in a way that suits your routine
   

Can self-managed participants negotiate rates?

Yes.

The NDIA says self-managed participants can negotiate the price of supports directly with providers and are not subject to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

On Careseekers, our workers are independent and set their own rates, so self-managed participants can speak directly with workers and agree on a rate that works for the arrangement.
 

What does this mean on Careseekers?

Self-management and Careseekers are a strong fit if you want more choice.

Because we are an NDIS-registered provider and our workers are independent, self-managed participants can use our platform to:

• choose their own worker
• negotiate directly
• arrange support more flexibly
• keep more visibility over who is providing support and at what rate.

If you want to use a worker through Careseekers, they still need to:

• meet our safety and verification checks
• complete our onboarding requirements
• provide the documents and information needed to work through our platform
• be approved before they can start
   

Is self-management right for everyone?

Not always.

Self-management can be a great option if you want more control and are comfortable taking on the extra responsibility. For some people, that flexibility is worth it. For others, plan management or NDIA-managed funding may feel easier.

The right option depends on how much involvement you want in organising, approving and paying for support.

Frequently asked questions

What is a self-managed NDIS plan?

It means you manage your own NDIS funding and have more flexibility over what supports you buy, who provides them and how they are delivered.

Can self-managed participants choose their own support worker?

Yes. Self-managed participants can choose who provides their supports and can use registered or unregistered providers.

Can self-managed participants negotiate prices?

Yes. The NDIA says self-managed participants can negotiate the price of supports directly with providers.

Do self-managed participants have to follow NDIS price limits?

No. The NDIA says self-managed participants are not subject to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

Can self-managed participants use Careseekers?

Yes. We support self-managed participants, and because we are an NDIS-registered provider, you can use our platform to choose and arrange support more flexibly.

Ready to explore self-managed support options?

If you want more flexibility over who supports you and how your support is arranged, we make it easier to compare workers, speak directly with them and choose the arrangement that feels right for you.

Find Disability Support Workers

Learn How Self-Managed Funding Works on Careseekers

Read: Can I Hire My Own Support Worker with NDIS?