Understanding funding
Self Managed Funding
You, a nominee or a child representative manage payments, providers and financial records.
You manage the money
You are responsible for claiming funding and paying providers.
More provider choice
You can generally use registered and unregistered providers.
More responsibility
You must manage your budget, keep records and ensure funding is used correctly.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
What is self managed funding?
You or an authorised person manages some or all of the funding in your plan. That may be you, your Plan Nominee, or a child representative for a participant under 18. You may self manage all your funding or only parts of it.
What self management can offer
- Choose registered or unregistered providers
- Negotiate the price of supports
- Decide how approved supports are delivered
- Pay providers directly
- Employ or contract workers where appropriate
- Arrange supports in ways that suit your individual needs
This flexibility does not change the NDIS funding rules.
What you are responsible for
- Understanding your plan
- Choosing suitable providers
- Agreeing on services and prices
- Receiving and checking invoices
- Claiming payments through the NDIS system
- Paying providers on time
- Keeping receipts, invoices and financial records
- Monitoring the amount remaining and making funding last
- Using funding only for approved NDIS supports
- Telling the NDIA when your situation changes
Keeping records
Keep provider invoices, receipts, bank statements, Service Agreements, quotes, timesheets, employment or contractor records, and evidence showing what support was purchased. The NDIA may ask you to show how funding was used.
A higher price does not create more funding
You can negotiate prices, but you must ensure the price is fair and reasonable, sufficient funding is available, the funding will last, and the support remains in line with your plan.
When self management may not be available
The NDIA may decide self management is not suitable where there are significant legal, financial or safety concerns. You can ask them to explain the decision, or request a review where review rights apply.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
When your SCL supports are self managed, we will:
- Send invoices to you or your authorised contact
- Clearly describe the services and charges
- Keep records of supports delivered
- Respond to invoice questions
- Correct identified invoicing errors
You are responsible for submitting claims and paying SCL within the agreed timeframe.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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