Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Worksheet - Putting my plan in to action

When looking for someone to provide a support or service it’s important to think about whether they’re going to be a good fit. You need to make sure they can provide you with the support you need in the way you want. You can use this worksheet to help you choose service providers. You can fill it out when speaking with service providers, or print it out and use it as a checklist.

You can use this worksheet in different ways. For example, you can enter text in the boxes. If you’d like to express yourself in another way, for example visually – then leave the box blank before printing it.

Speaking up for what you want can be challenging. You can use the IMHA self-advocacy modelExternal Link in combination with this worksheet to help you let people know what it is you want.

Use the print function to print this page or save it as a PDF. There is no option to send this information and it will not be saved by the website.

Please check the box next to any questions you would like to answer and a text box will appear.

If you choose this option, The NDIA manages your plan. This means the NDIA pays your providers on your behalf. The NDIA will have complete control and responsibility for payment.

You can only use NDIS registered service providers for your supports.

This option can be a good one if you don't have a lot of energy or struggle with organisation because the NDIA will take care of everything.

If you choose this option, you will pick someone to manage the funds in your plan. This person will be your plan manager and they can make claims for services and use the money in your plan to pay for your supports.

You can choose a plan manager by using the NDIS service provider finder (www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/find-registered-provider/provider-finder), ask your Local Area Coordinator, or someone you know that has a plan. If you choose a plan manager the cost for this will be in your plan. Choosing this option gives you more flexibility because it allows you to choose both NDIS registered and unregistered providers.

You can choose any support providers as long as the cost is under the maximum price that registered providers can charge participants. The NDIS pricing arrangements (www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements) lists the maximum prices.

This option offers a combination of flexibility and support. The plan manager will take care of paying for your supports and services and other administrative tasks which means you can spend more time on the things that are important to you.

If you choose this option, you will manage the funds in your plan by yourself. You will need to understand how to make a budget and keep records.

If you have a plan nominee (www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/guardians-and-nominees-explained) they can also help you manage your funds. You might also consider employing a bookkeeper - someone who can do this for you.

The NDIS has information on self-Management (www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management) on their website. This option offers the greatest flexibility. To do this, you will need a myGov account (www.my.gov.au).

You can choose any support providers as long as the cost is under the maximum price that registered providers can charge participants. The NDIS pricing arrangements lists the maximum prices.

You can choose both NDIS registered and unregistered providers.

This option offers you the greatest amount of flexibility but requires you to pay for your supports and services and other administrative tasks. You will need good budgeting skills, a good understanding of the NDIS price guide and how to use the NDIS portal.

How do you choose providers to deliver your services?

You may have already used some service providers before you joined the NDIS and you may choose to work with them again. You may also want to try new providers when you become an NDIS participant. When considering a service provider, talk to them about your goals and discuss how they can help you work towards them. Here are some questions you may ask:

Other resources

You can now print/save your information. If you disagree with something in your plan you can visit the I disagree with an NDIA decision section of this toolkit. If you are not happy with a service provider, take a look at the Putting my plan into action section of this toolkit.

Reviewed 23 November 2022

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