The short answer
- Nothing is urgent in week one — read your plan and understand your goals first.
- Check how your plan is managed: agency-managed, plan-managed or self-managed. This changes which providers you can use.
- You choose your providers — you are never assigned one and you can change later.
- Free help exists: a directory to search, a free matching service, and support coordination if it is funded in your plan.
Step by step
- 1
Read your plan and note your goals and budgets
Your plan lists your goals and your funded budgets. You do not need to understand every line — just find your goals and which support categories have funding. That tells you what kinds of supports you can look for.
- 2
Work out how your plan is managed
Agency-managed (NDIA-managed) means you use NDIS-registered providers. Plan-managed means a plan manager pays your invoices and you can use registered or unregistered providers. Self-managed means you pay providers yourself with the widest choice. If you are not sure, it will be written in your plan.
- 3
Find and shortlist a few providers
Search a free directory by your state, suburb and the type of support you need. Look at a few options rather than the first one — check what they do, whether they are taking new clients, and their fees. You are comparing, not committing.
- 4
Have a first conversation, then get it in writing
Contact your shortlist, ask how their service fits your goals and availability, and only then agree a service agreement in writing. If you would rather not do the legwork, ask a free matching service to shortlist best-fit providers for you.
Ready to take the next step?
Search the free MyCareFinders directory, or tell us what you're looking for and get matched with providers whose supports fit — no cost, no obligation.
Common follow-up questions
How long do I have to start using my NDIS plan?
There is no penalty for taking your time in the first weeks, but your plan does run for a set period (often 12 months, sometimes longer). It is worth starting to use your funded supports so you make progress on your goals before your plan review. Take the first week to understand the plan; you do not need to rush into agreements.
Do I have to use the provider the NDIS suggests?
No. You choose your own providers under the NDIS. Even if someone suggests a provider, you are free to compare others and pick the one that fits your goals, availability and budget — and you can change providers later if it is not working out.
Is there free help for someone new to the NDIS?
Yes. You can search a free provider directory, use a free matching service that shortlists best-fit providers for you, and — if support coordination is funded in your plan — a support coordinator can help you set everything up. None of these cost you anything from your plan unless the support itself is a funded service.