NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia)
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) | NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018
This service agreement is made under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) between the NDIS participant (or their nominee) and the registered plan management provider named below.
PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT
PARTICIPANT
Name: [Participant Name]
NDIS number: [Participant NDIS Number]
Date of birth: [Participant DOB]
Address: [Participant Address], [Participant State]
Phone: [Participant Phone]
Email: [Participant Email]
PLAN MANAGEMENT PROVIDER
Provider name: [Provider Name]
NDIS registration number: [Provider Registration Number]
ABN: [Provider ABN]
Address: [Provider Address]
Phone: [Provider Phone]
Email: [Provider Email]
Primary contact: [Provider Contact Name]
NDIS PLAN DETAILS
Plan start date: [Plan Start Date]
Plan end date: [Plan End Date]
Plan management funding: [Plan Management Funding]
Support categories to be managed: [Managed Funding Categories]
PLAN MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Service commencement date: [Service Start Date]
The plan manager agrees to provide the following plan management services: [Core Services]
FEES AND PRICING
Fees under this agreement are set in accordance with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits published by the NDIA.
Establishment fee (one-off): [Establishment Fee]
Monthly plan management fee: [Monthly Fee]
Additional agreed fees: [Additional Fees]
All fees are claimed from the participant's NDIS plan management budget (Capacity Building — Improved Life Choices) and are NOT deducted from the participant's other support funding.
PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS
[Participant Rights]
PARTICIPANT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
[Participant Responsibilities]
PLAN MANAGER'S OBLIGATIONS
- Act in the participant's best interests at all times.
- Comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and the NDIS Practice Standards for Plan Management.
- Process valid invoices within 5 business days of receipt.
- Keep accurate financial records and provide monthly financial statements.
- Maintain the confidentiality of the participant's personal and financial information.
- Notify the participant if supports are at risk of being over- or under-spent.
- Not engage in conduct that amounts to fraud, corruption, or misappropriation of NDIS funds.
TERMINATION
Either party may end this agreement: [Notice Period]. Termination does not affect any entitlements that have accrued before the date of termination.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND COMPLAINTS
[Dispute Resolution Process]
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
[Provider Name] collects, uses, and stores the participant's personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. Personal information is collected for the purpose of providing plan management services and will only be disclosed to the NDIA and other parties as required to deliver plan management supports or as required by law. The participant has the right to access and correct their personal information held by the plan manager.
AGREEMENT
By signing this agreement, the parties agree to the terms set out above.
Date: [Agreement Date]
Participant / Nominee signature: ________________________
Name: [Participant Name]
NDIS number: [Participant NDIS Number]
Plan management provider signature: ________________________
Name: [Provider Name]
NDIS registration: [Provider Registration Number]
This service agreement is prepared under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). The plan manager is required to comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct, the NDIS Practice Standards (Registration and Practice Standards Rule 2018), and the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Participants who have concerns about their plan manager may contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 or visit ndiscommission.gov.au.
NDIS Participant / Nominee
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Plan Management Provider Representative
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia)?
A NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement in Australia records the NDIS support to be provided, the fees, the service standards, and each party's obligations between the provider and the client under the Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2).
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) established the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as a national framework for providing individualised support to Australians with permanent and significant disabilities. Eligible participants receive an NDIS plan that allocates funding across support categories. Plan management is a funded support within the Capacity Building — Improved Life Choices support category, enabling participants to engage a registered plan manager to administer their NDIS funds.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission — established under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2018 — regulates NDIS providers across Australia (except Western Australia, which has its own arrangements). Plan management providers must be registered with the Commission and must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and the NDIS Practice Standards applicable to the plan management registration group. The Practice Standards require plan managers to: act in participants' best interests; process invoices within five business days; maintain accurate records; provide regular financial reporting; and respect participants' rights to choose their own providers.
A key advantage of plan management over NDIA-managed funding is that plan-managed participants can use both registered and unregistered NDIS support providers. This significantly expands participant choice and access to a wider range of providers. The plan manager handles the administrative burden of processing invoices, claiming from the NDIA portal, and managing budget reporting, while the participant focuses on their goals and supports.
Fees for plan management are set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (formerly the NDIS Price Guide) and are reviewed annually. As at 2025-26, the standard fees include a one-off establishment fee and a monthly management fee. These fees are funded from the participant's plan management budget and do not reduce funding available for other supports.
The legal framework governing the NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) in Australia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Australian law, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) govern personal data in this document. The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010) provides consumer guarantees under Sections 51-54. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction over family law matters under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) handles consumer financial disputes. State and territory Magistrates Courts handle small civil claims. Parties executing a NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) in Australia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia)?
An NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement is needed whenever an NDIS participant chooses plan-managed funding for their NDIS supports. The agreement must be in place before the plan manager can begin administering the participant's funds.
New NDIS participants: When a person receives their first NDIS plan and is approved for plan management funding, they should promptly engage a plan management provider and sign a service agreement before the plan commences. The NDIS plan approval letter will specify whether plan management funding has been approved.
Changing plan managers: A participant can change their plan manager at any time. If they are moving from one plan manager to another, the existing service agreement must be terminated (in accordance with its terms) and a new service agreement entered with the new plan manager. There is no 'lock-in' period for plan management — the NDIS Code of Conduct requires that participants can exit service agreements without undue penalty.
Plan reviews and renewals: When an NDIS plan is reviewed and renewed, the existing plan management service agreement may continue (if the plan management provider and the participant agree) or a new agreement may be prepared. Many plan managers use evergreen agreements that automatically continue from one plan period to the next, but it is good practice to review and update the agreement at each plan renewal.
New support needs: If a participant's plan is amended during a plan period — for example, to add new supports or increase funding — the plan management service agreement may need to be updated to reflect the new support categories being managed.
Participants with nominees or guardians: For participants who have an authorised NDIA nominee, a guardian, or someone with enduring power of attorney, the service agreement must involve that representative. The nominee or guardian may sign the agreement on behalf of the participant. The agreement should clearly identify the representative and the basis for their authority.
NDIS provider audits: Plan management providers are subject to periodic audits by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Having well-documented service agreements in place demonstrates compliance with the Practice Standards and the NDIS Code of Conduct.
What to Include in Your NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia)
A compliant NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement must contain specific elements to meet the requirements of the NDIS Practice Standards and the NDIS Act 2013.
Identification of parties: The agreement must clearly identify the NDIS participant (including their NDIS number and date of birth), any authorised nominee or representative, and the plan management provider (including their NDIS registration number and ABN).
Description of supports: The agreement must describe the plan management supports to be delivered — including the processing of invoices, payment of providers, claiming from the NDIA portal, and financial reporting. The support categories covered by the plan management arrangement should be specified.
Fees and pricing: Fees must comply with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. The establishment fee, monthly fee, and any other agreed fees must be specified. The agreement must make clear that plan management fees are funded from the participant's plan management budget and do not reduce other support funding.
Participant rights: The agreement must include a clear statement of the participant's rights — including the right to choose their own providers, the right to exit the agreement, the right to make complaints, and the right to privacy.
Privacy: The agreement must describe how the participant's personal information will be collected, used, stored, and disclosed, consistent with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Termination: The agreement must specify the process for termination. Participants must be able to exit without unreasonable penalty — a notice period of no more than 28 days for the plan manager is typical.
Dispute resolution and complaints: The agreement must include a clear complaints process, including referral to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for unresolved complaints.
Plan period: The agreement must not extend beyond the current NDIS plan end date. A new agreement should be prepared when the plan is renewed.
Additional compliance elements for a NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) used in Australia include: Under Australian law, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) govern personal data in this document. The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2, Competition and Consumer Act 2010) provides consumer guarantees under Sections 51-54. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction over family law matters under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) handles consumer financial disputes. State and territory Magistrates Courts handle small civil claims. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Australia-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) (Australia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/australia/personal/family/ndis-plan-management-service-agreement-australia
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title = {NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) (Australia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/australia/personal/family/ndis-plan-management-service-agreement-australia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
NDIS participants can manage their funding in three ways: NDIA-managed (the NDIA pays registered providers directly and the participant has no financial administration role); self-managed (the participant or their nominee pays providers directly, claims reimbursement from the NDIA, and can use unregistered providers); and plan-managed (a registered plan manager administers the funds on behalf of the participant). Plan management combines the administrative convenience of NDIA management (the plan manager handles invoices and payments) with the flexibility of self-management (plan-managed participants can use both registered and unregistered providers). Plan management is funded from a separate budget allocation in the participant's plan — it does not reduce the funding available for other supports. To be eligible for plan-managed funding, the participant must request it when applying for or reviewing their NDIS plan.
Fees for NDIS plan management are set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits published annually by the NDIA. As at 2025-26, the standard maximum prices are: an establishment fee of $232.22 per participant per plan management relationship (claimable once per plan period or once when the participant first engages the plan manager); and a monthly support management fee of $104.45 per month. Plan managers cannot charge participants fees above these limits. They also cannot charge the participant for invoices, postage, phone calls, or other administrative costs associated with plan management — these must be covered within the monthly fee. If a plan manager attempts to charge above the NDIS price limits or charge additional fees not disclosed in the service agreement, the participant can report this to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Yes. A key advantage of plan-managed NDIS funding over NDIA-managed funding is that plan-managed participants can use both registered NDIS providers (those registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission) and unregistered providers (those not NDIS-registered). This significantly expands participant choice. For example, a plan-managed participant can engage a local support worker who is not an NDIS-registered provider, or access allied health professionals who may not be NDIS-registered. The plan manager can pay unregistered providers provided the services delivered are within the scope of the participant's NDIS plan and the pricing is reasonable. However, participants using unregistered providers should ensure those providers have the necessary skills, qualifications, and insurance for the supports they are delivering, as unregistered providers are not subject to the same oversight by the Commission as registered providers.
An NDIS participant who is dissatisfied with their plan management provider should first raise the concern directly with the plan manager using the complaints process described in the service agreement. If the complaint is not resolved, the participant can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which is the regulator responsible for the quality and safety of NDIS supports in all states and territories except Western Australia (which has its own arrangements). The Commission can be contacted by phone on 1800 035 544, online at ndiscommission.gov.au, or by post. The Commission has powers to investigate complaints, take compliance action against providers, and in serious cases, cancel or suspend a provider's registration. For complaints about the NDIA's management of the participant's plan (as distinct from the plan manager), participants may contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
A NDIS Plan Management Service Agreement (Australia) does not legally require a lawyer in Australia, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Schedule 2) does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Australia lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The Federal Court of Australia has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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