3 Key Takeaways
1. As an NDIS participant, you have the unconditional right to request plan management funding at any time, and it does not impact your other support budgets or create any additional out of pocket costs.
2. With NDIS plan management, participants can retain full choice over your providers – both registered and unregistered – and benefit from simplified finances without sacrificing choice or control.
3. Over 60% of NDIS participants choose plan management to streamline their funding. Switching to, or between, plan managers is easy and won’t cause disruptions to your supports or provider payments.
Looking for a Plan Manager for Your NDIS Plan?
Orange Plan Management is a nationally NDIS registered Plan Management provider, offering support and assistance across Australia.
We focus on working directly with you and your support team to help you get the most out of your NDIS Plan.
Ready to come on board with Orange?
Complete our easy online form to get started with Orange today.
SIGN UPNDIS plan management benefits: more provider choice, less paperwork, faster payments
Providor Choice & Flexibility
Plan managed participants can use both NDIS registered and unregistered providers, enjoying the broadest possible choice – just like self managed participants, but without the paperwork. Plan managers can process invoices from any eligible provider, as long as their claims are compliant and stay within the official NDIS price limits.
What do Plan Managers Actually Do?
Plan managers act as the accountant of your NDIS plan: receiving invoices, checking compatibility against the NDIA pricing arrangements and requirements, claiming the funds from your budget, paying providers and issuing regular statements for you to track your current funds and plan progression.
At Orange, we are dedicated to providing the best possible service, so in addition to managing your budget funds, we also aim to provide additional resources and support to help you achieve your plan goals.
Technology, Speed & Security Measures
Many plan managers like Orange have web portals or mobile apps that show up-to-date and live funding category balances, transaction and claim histories, downloadable statements, and optional approval processes on all invoices. This gives you a clear overview of your spend to date as well as remaining funds, so you can keep track of your plan budgets.
Why Choose Orange Plan Management
After decades of combined experience in paying invoices for the medical, rehabilitation and legal industries, we’ve learned a thing or two.
When you work with Orange Plan, you’ll enjoy:
SAME DAY INVOICE PROCESSING
We’re committed to providing a fast and accurate service, processing invoices same day and paying providers 1-2 days after receiving funds.
DEDICATED TEAM
As an independent and dedicated plan management team, our focus is solely on plan management so you can rest assured that our best interests are aligned with yours.
PROMPT COMMUNICATION
Our team works hard to ensure you will never need to spend hours on hold or go days without hearing back from us via phone or email.
BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
Receive monthly reports, optional approval on all invoice payments, and direct communication from our team to mitigate the risk of plan overspend.
CHOICE & CONTROL
With Orange Plan Management, you can work with the providers and support team of your choice with access to both registered and unregistered providers.
EXPERTISE & SUPPORT
Our team strives to maintain positive relationships with providers and stay up to date with the everchanging world of the NDIS.
NDIS plan management: zero-cost funding, your rights, and full control
Your Plan Management Rights
As an NDIS participant, you have the unconditional right to have plan management included in your NDIS plan. Plan management can be requested during your initial planning meeting with the NDIA, at a scheduled plan reassessment, or any time throughout the duration of your plan with a plan variation request through the NDIA or your Local Area Coordinator.
Zero-cost Funding
Choosing to be plan managed does not reduce any of your current NDIS Supports and will not leave you out of pocket. By selecting plan managed funding, the NDIA adds a separate budget category called “Improved Life Choices / CB – Choice and Control” that covers the associated plan management fees, meaning these fees will never come out of your own pocket or reduce your service budgets. There are no hidden or additional costs.
Choice & Control
With plan management you have the ability to choose who provides your supports, whether by NDIS registered or unregistered providers. A plan manager like Orange handles all of the financial administration and invoice processing for you, so you can enjoy the same choice and control as a self managed plan, but without all of the bookkeeping. Additionally, you do not have to hand over your entire NDIS plan or lose control – we only access what is necessary to process claims and payments, so you can stay in charge.
How to get plan management: how to add or switch plan managers
Adding Plan Management to Your NDIS Plan
Requesting plan management is as simple as asking for it. You can have plan management funding added to your NDIS plan through a fast and simple two-step onboarding process:
1. Request a plan variation with your Local Area Coordinator or directly with the NDIA.
2. Endorse your chosen plan manager so the NDIA can connect them to your plan.
This can be done either at your original planning meeting or at any time during a plan review. Approval is automatic, and the NDIA will add the extra budget line for zero cost to you.
Once you endorse a plan manager and provide their registration number, they will be connected to your plan and will be able to begin processing your invoices immediately.
Switching Plan Managers
If you already have a plan manager, you can swap plan managers at any time without losing continuity of payments. You are free to change plan managers at any point. Most providers have no exit fees and will coordinate with both the NDIA and your outgoing plan manager to ensure your payments and service providers aren’t disrupted.
To switch plan managers, you will need to:
1. Give notice to your existing plan manager.
2. Contact your new plan manager and request and sign the new service agreement.
3. Contact the NDIA to update the endorsement using the new plan manager’s registration number.
Written service agreements and formal complaints procedures are standard, protecting your rights and ensuring a smooth transition. Your new plan manager can process any claims that fall into the current plan, and the previous plan managers can process claims that fall into previous plans. If the previous plan managers can not process claims, the current plan managers can submit the invoices directly to the NDIA for payment through a process called Manual Payment.
Compliance, Monitoring, and Regulatory Updates
As plan managers, we act as a compliance checkpoint, ensuring all invoices received follow NDIS invoice criteria, NDIS pricing arrangements, and price limits before being lodged for payment with the NDIA. Non-compliant invoices will be rejected and we will communicate with your service provider to correct any issues before submission.
We take our responsibility to ensure invoice compliance very seriously, and monitor for overspending with budget dashboards and automatic alerts as standard. When you work with Orange, you will receive automated budget updates and monthly reports, so you can stay on top of your spend.
Finding the Right Plan Manager for You
Plan management is the most common form of NDIS plan in 2026, with an estimated over 60% of participants choosing plan management.
There are various types of plan managers to suit different needs and preferences, from large scale plan managers who assist tens of thousands of participants, to not-for-profit reinvestment plan managers who send any surplus into supporting disability programs.
Orange is a boutique, high involvement plan manager dedicated to same day invoice processing and personalised customer service teams rather than large call-centre operations. We go above and beyond to support you and your network to achieve your plan goals.
The NDIS arrangements and price limits have a national pricing cap applied to plan management fees, so you are able to choose what type of plan management suits your needs and best matches your preferences without any additional costs.
Efficient Plan Management
We process invoices same day so that your supports and providers are paid within days of submitting their invoices, preventing any stress or interruption to your services.
We’ll take care of the time consuming parts of managing your plan so you can focus on what’s important.
NDIS Guidance & Support
At Orange Plan Management you will have direct contact with a dedicated team of Plan Managers who understands your needs and is always there for questions on how to navigate the NDIS.
We are always happy to answer questions or provide guidance on plan management, NDIS updates, and how to maximise your NDIS plan.
NDIS Budget Choice & Control
When you choose Orange as your plan manager, you will never have to wonder how your NDIS funds are being spent. You can enjoy access to your NDIS budget through our Portal and stay on top of spend with our handy monthly reports. If you would like to be more hands on, you can have complete control with invoice approvals.
GET STARTEDHear From Our Clients
Orange Plan Management are professional, knowledgeable, kind, friendly and efficient. Nothing is too much trouble. They respond to queries quickly and help work through any issues that may arise. Can thoroughly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a Plan Manager.
Jennifer
Orange Plan Management are an absolute stand out Organisation. I have worked with many Plan Managers through mutual clients and no other Plan Managers compare to Orange’s professionalism, efficiency, friendliness, reliability or dependability.
Janelle
Orange Plan Management are, in my experience, the best plan managers. Purely because they are helpful, efficient and prompt… Invoices are paid with 2-3 days, emails replied to straight away (within 15 minutes usually). Their information is reliable and their staff are helpful and friendly 100% of the time.
Sharon
Sign Up Today
Ready to get started with Orange Plan Management? Complete our online form today.
GET STARTEDFrequently Asked Questions
What is plan management?
Plan Management is a way to manage your NDIS budget and funds. It allows you to:
– Have choice and control over the providers you use
– Use both registered and unregistered providers
– Negotiate pricing to pay less than the NDIS Pricing and Arrangements Document
– Make value for money decisions in line with your plan.
How much does plan management cost?
If you have Plan Management in your Plan, funding for Plan Management is provided in addition to any of your other supports at no extra cost. Opting for Plan Management does not reduce your NDIS budget in anyway.
What does a plan manager actually do?
Think of Plan Managers as the accountants of your plan. We are responsible for ensuring your providers are paid and that your budget is on track, including ensuring that your providers are charging the correct rates. Being plan managed also allows you to use providers that are not registered with the NDIS.
Is NDIS plan management really free for participants?
Yes, plan management is funded directly by the NDIS as an extra line in your plan, so it won’t reduce your other supports or create out-of-pocket expenses.
Can I use unregistered providers with plan management?
Yes, as a plan managed participant, you can choose both registered and unregistered providers to carry out supports as part of your plan.
How quickly are invoices paid when I have a plan manager?
Many plan managers can take up to two weeks to process your claims, however Orange is dedicated to providing same day invoice processing so your providers can be paid promptly and on time. Once submitted, please allow a few days for the NDIA to make payment.
Will I lose control over who can provide my supports if I use a plan manager?
No, when you are plan managed you continue to have choice and control over who delivers your supports. A plan manager simply handles the admin and payment processing for your chosen providers.
How do I switch to a new plan manager, and is there any risk to my support payments?
Switching to a new plan manager is easy. If you have a PACE plan, you can phone the NDIA to endorse your new plan manager, and they will be able to take over the management of your funds to ensure payments to your service providers are not disrupted. If your plan is over three years old, you may still be on the NDIA’s old system. In that case, your current plan manager may need to act to release your service bookings before you can come on board with a new plan manager. If you’re not sure what type of plan you have, you can ask the Orange team, your support coordinator, or the NDIA.
The NDIS Guide to Plan Management
The NDIS released a guide on plan management in September 2020 which you can find here: Guide to Plan Management.
This guide has lots of helpful information about what you can expect from your plan manager, as well as all of the great benefits you can look forward to.
NDIS Participant Handbook
Orange Plan Management’s Participant Handbook is a resource designed to provide information that helps you understand your regular statements and to better manage your Plan.
In the Handbook, you will learn about the NDIS and what supports your NDIS Plan will and won’t fund, as well as what you can expect when you work with the Orange team.
We Provide Plan Management Across Australia
Learn More About Plan Management
Why Choose Orange?
With decades of combined experience in paying invoices for the medical, rehabilitation and legal industries, we’ve learned a thing or two.
The combined experience of our plan management team helps you to understand and get the most out of your NDIS plan. While assisting you to navigate what at times can be an overwhelming and very confusing scheme.
