The short answer
- Self-managed = the widest choice: registered and unregistered providers both allowed.
- Vet on qualifications, insurance, relevant checks, experience and references.
- Negotiate rates within the NDIS price limits and get the agreement in writing.
- Keep tax-compliant records — you claim from the NDIA and pay providers yourself.
Step by step
- 1
Find your options
Search a directory by location and support type, and use your own networks. As a self-manager you are not limited to registered providers, so you can consider the whole market.
- 2
Vet before you commit
Ask for and check qualifications, relevant worker screening or checks, insurance, and experience with your kind of support. Ask for references or reviews and confirm availability. Our free checklist walks through exactly what to confirm.
- 3
Agree the service and rate in writing
Negotiate a rate within the NDIS price limits, write down what is included, and get a signed service agreement so both sides are clear. This protects you if there is ever a dispute.
- 4
Pay and keep records
You claim funds from the NDIA (usually via the myplace portal), pay the provider, and keep invoices and receipts in case of an audit. Many people self-manage some supports and use a plan manager for the rest.
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
Can self-managed participants use unregistered NDIS providers?
Yes. Self-managed participants can use both registered and unregistered providers — the widest choice of any management type. Registration can be a useful signal when comparing, but it is your decision as long as you spend within your plan goals and the NDIS price limits.
How do I vet an NDIS provider myself?
Check qualifications and any relevant worker screening, confirm insurance, ask about experience with your type of support, and request references or reviews. Confirm availability and fees, then put the agreement in writing. A structured checklist makes this straightforward.
What records do I need to keep when I self-manage?
Keep invoices and receipts for the supports you pay for, and records that show the spending relates to your plan goals and stays within the NDIS price limits. These matter if the NDIA ever audits your plan. Good record-keeping is the main extra responsibility of self-managing.