When you start working with a provider, one of the first things that comes up is your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan. It’s the roadmap for your supports, and sometimes providers need a closer look to make sure everything goes smoothly.
To deliver services under the NDIS, they’ll usually have to confirm you’ve got the right budget and understand the rules in your plan about how money can be spent.
That’s normal, and they’ll usually talk to you about it. But here’s the big question: what do you actually need to share, and how do you do it without feeling pressured?
Let’s break it down together.
Before you sign on with a provider, they should be up front about what they’re offering – what item or service they’re providing, which budget category it’s claimed from, how often you’ll receive it, and what it will cost. This is usually written down in a service agreement.
Providers are also likely to check you have the correct budget available, and they may ask about the funding periods in your plan. These can add extra rules (and complexity) around when money can be spent, and it’s easy to feel a bit lost at first.
If you’re unsure what funding periods mean, we’ve explained them in more detail here. In short, they’re blocks of time that split your total NDIS budget into smaller chunks, and they’re usually unlocked every three months.
Think of each funding period like a mini plan that needs to be managed carefully – particularly when you have multiple providers claiming from the same budget categories. If things aren’t tracked properly, funds can run out.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to have a new service agreement for each funding period. This helps you keep track of spending as unspent funds are rolled over, and as pricing, circumstances, or services change. So don’t be surprised if your providers check in about your budget more than once – they’ll usually do it at the beginning of each new service agreement.
One more thing to consider is that some services in the NDIS cost more up front when you and a provider first start working together. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) says funding periods allow for these higher starting costs, but if your budget looks tight, it’s best to chat to your providers or potentially request a plan variation or a review from the Agency.
Yes – you can share your plan with providers through the myplace portal, which will allow them to see basic information like your NDIS number, date of birth and goals.
What they won’t usually see (unless they’re your support coordinator) is your budget information. That part is important for planning services, so the easiest way to share it is by having a quick conversation at the start of each new service agreement.
If you’re not comfortable sharing your whole plan, that’s ok, you can just share the parts that matter for the service. Keeping it focused helps you stay in control, while giving providers what they need to do their job.
First things first: it’s your choice whether you share your whole plan. You’re not required to, and in most cases, it’s better for providers to ask only for the information they need. The exception to this is support coordinators – with your consent, they do need to see your full plan to do their job properly.
Most providers act with honesty and integrity, but we know there’s a worry that some might ask to see your whole plan just so they can check what the maximum budget available is. If that makes you uncomfortable, you can absolutely say no. Instead, you can share only what’s relevant – like the budget categories for their service and how much support you’re prepared to hire them for.
If they push back, ask why they need that information. You have every right to keep your plan private. A good provider will explain what they need and why, so you can make an informed decision.
Remember, a good provider will be clear about what item or service they intend to provide, the budget and category it’s claimed from, the frequency and cost. They’ll check this aligns with your plan to avoid overservicing and to make sure claiming stays predictable.
Open communication matters, especially when you have multiple providers involved. It helps avoid overspending and keeps your supports running smoothly. Providers are expected to uphold continuity of service under the NDIS Practice Standards, so checking in regularly is part of doing things right.
Your plan is yours, only share what feels right for you and always ask questions if you’re unsure.
If you’re unsure about sharing your plan or just want a second opinion before doing so, we’ve got your back. Our team is here to make things easier and help you feel confident about your choices. You can reach out to us any time here.
