Just got NDIS funding approved? Here's what to do next

Plan approved but not sure where to start? This step-by-step guide explains everything new NDIS participants need to do first, in plain English.

Congratulations - your NDIS plan has been approved. That is a big deal, and you should feel good about reaching this point. But it is also completely normal to open the plan document, see a wall of categories and dollar amounts, and have absolutely no idea what to do next.

This guide is here to help. We will walk you through the key steps in plain, practical terms: understanding what your funding covers, choosing how your plan is managed, finding providers who are the right fit, and getting your first supports up and running. You do not need to figure it all out in one day, and you do not need to get every decision perfect. The NDIS is designed to be flexible, and most things can be adjusted as you go.

If you want to start browsing straight away, you can explore NDIS providers across Australia on OpenWay at any time. But first, let us make sense of what you are actually working with.

What your NDIS plan actually contains

Your plan is a document that outlines your goals and the funding the NDIA has approved to help you work towards them. It is usually broken into several broad funding categories, sometimes called support categories or budget lines.

The most common ones you might see include:

Daily Activities - support with everyday tasks like personal care, household tasks and community participation
Social, Economic and Community Participation - getting out into the community, joining activities, building social connections
Improved Living Arrangements - support related to where and how you live
Increased Social and Community Participation - skill-building and access to community activities
Finding and Keeping a Job - employment-related supports
Improved Health and Wellbeing - things like exercise physiology or dietetics
Support Coordination - help navigating the NDIS and connecting with providers
Improved Daily Living - therapies like occupational therapy, speech therapy or psychology

Each category has a dollar amount attached. You can only spend funding within the category it was approved for - you cannot move money freely between categories unless your plan specifically allows it (called "flexible" or "stated" funding).

The NDIS app, called the myplace portal, lets you check your current balances at any time. If you have not set that up yet, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator can help you access it.

Understanding your plan management type

One of the first practical decisions to understand is how your plan is managed - meaning, who handles the money and pays providers on your behalf. There are three types.

NDIA-managed (agency-managed)

The NDIA pays providers directly from your plan. You can only use registered NDIS providers. This is the most straightforward option for people who are new to the scheme and want less administrative involvement.

Plan-managed

A registered plan manager acts as a financial intermediary. They pay providers on your behalf, send you monthly statements and handle the paperwork. Importantly, plan management unlocks the ability to use both registered and unregistered providers, which gives you more choice. The cost of plan management is funded separately in your plan - it does not come out of your other support budgets.

Self-managed

You manage the funds yourself, pay providers directly and claim reimbursements through the myplace portal. This gives you the most flexibility and control, but it also comes with record-keeping responsibilities.

If your plan includes funding for plan management, you will need to find and engage a plan manager before you can start spending. If your plan is NDIA-managed and you would prefer plan management in the future, you can request a plan review.

Not sure which type you have? Check the front pages of your plan document, or ask your LAC.

Setting up your support team

Once you understand what is in your plan, the next step is working out who will actually deliver your supports. This is where many new participants feel the most overwhelmed - there are thousands of providers across Australia, and it is not always obvious how to tell the good ones apart.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start looking.

Start with your highest-priority supports

You do not need to fill every budget line immediately. Focus on the supports that will make the biggest difference to your daily life right now. If you have funding for personal care support, that is probably more urgent than, say, a community access programme you might start in a few months.

Registered vs unregistered providers

If your plan is NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers. If you are plan-managed or self-managed, you have the option to use unregistered providers as well. Registered providers have met the NDIS Commission's quality and safeguards requirements, which includes worker screening and audits. You can read more about what provider verification means on OpenWay's trust and safety page.

What to look for in a provider

When you are comparing providers, useful things to check include:

Do they have experience supporting people with your disability or support needs?
Are they available in your area or willing to travel?
What are their cancellation and short-notice policies?
Do they have capacity to take on new participants right now?
How do they communicate - do they prefer phone, email or an app?
Do they offer a meet-and-greet or trial period before you commit?

It is completely reasonable to speak to two or three providers before making a decision. A good provider will welcome your questions and give you clear, honest answers.

How to find and shortlist providers

Finding providers used to mean a lot of cold phone calls and word-of-mouth recommendations. That has changed. There are now online tools that let you filter by support type, location and registration status.

OpenWay is a free Australian marketplace where you can search and compare NDIS providers in your area, read provider profiles and send enquiries directly. It is free to use for participants and families, and you are never locked into any provider through the platform.

If you have a Support Coordinator in your plan, they can also help you shortlist options. Support Coordinators are experienced at identifying providers who are a good fit for specific needs and circumstances - they know which providers have capacity, which ones have strong track records in particular support types, and which ones to approach with caution.

If you do not have a Support Coordinator but would like help navigating the NDIS, the OpenWay page for participants and families has more information on how the platform works and what support is available to you.

Signing a service agreement

Once you have chosen a provider, the next step is signing a service agreement. This is a written contract between you (or your authorised representative) and the provider. It is not optional - it is a normal and important part of starting any NDIS support.

A service agreement should clearly set out:

The specific supports the provider will deliver
How often and for how long
The price per hour or session (in line with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits)
The provider's cancellation policy and short-notice fees
How complaints or concerns can be raised
How the agreement can be changed or ended

Read the agreement carefully before you sign. If something is unclear, ask the provider to explain it. If you have a plan manager, they can also review agreements and flag anything unusual.

You should never feel pressured to sign quickly. A reputable provider will give you time to read and ask questions.

A note on service bookings

If your plan is NDIA-managed, your provider will usually set up a service booking in the myplace portal before they start delivering supports. This reserves the funding for that provider. Make sure the booking amount matches what is in your service agreement.

Getting your first supports started

Once your service agreement is signed and any service bookings are in place, you are ready to start. Here is a simple checklist to help you feel confident everything is in order before your first session or visit.

You have received and signed a service agreement from your provider
You know how to contact your provider if something changes
You understand the cancellation policy and what fees apply
Your plan manager (if applicable) has a copy of the agreement
You know how to check your plan balance in the myplace portal
You have a way to give feedback if something is not working

It is okay if your first few weeks feel a bit messy. Finding the right rhythm with a new provider takes time. If a support is not working for you, you are allowed to change providers. You are also allowed to have more than one provider for different types of support.

What to do if things are not going to plan

Sometimes a plan does not include everything you expected, or a provider turns out not to be the right fit, or your circumstances change. Here is what you can do.

If your needs change significantly, you can request an unscheduled plan review through the NDIA. Your LAC can help you initiate this.
If you have a complaint about a provider, the NDIS Commission handles complaints about registered providers. You can also raise concerns directly with the provider first.
If you are running out of funding faster than expected, contact your plan manager or LAC as soon as possible. They can help you review your spending and plan ahead.
If you are unsure about anything, the NDIS Commission's website has plain-English resources, and the NDIA's contact centre can answer questions about your specific plan.

Frequently asked

Can I change providers after I have signed a service agreement?

Yes. You can end a service agreement and move to a different provider. Most agreements include a notice period - typically two to four weeks - so check what yours says before making a change. You are never locked in permanently, and changing providers is a normal part of the NDIS experience.

Do I have to use all my funding by the end of my plan?

Unspent funding does not automatically roll over to your next plan. The NDIA uses your spending history to inform future funding decisions, so it is worth trying to use your supports regularly. If you have consistently unspent funds in a category, it may be reduced at your next plan review. Talk to your LAC or Support Coordinator if you are concerned about this.

What is the difference between a Support Coordinator and a plan manager?

A Support Coordinator helps you understand your plan, find providers and navigate the NDIS system. A plan manager handles the financial side - paying invoices, tracking budgets and keeping records. They are different roles and can be funded separately in your plan. Some participants have both; others have one or neither.

How OpenWay can help

Starting out on the NDIS is a lot to take in, and finding the right providers is one of the most important early steps you will take. OpenWay is a free Australian marketplace built to make that process simpler.

You can browse NDIS providers by support type and location without creating an account, read detailed provider profiles and send enquiries directly to providers you are interested in. OpenWay is free for participants and families to use, and there is no obligation to proceed with any provider you find through the platform.

If you are a support coordinator helping a new participant get started, the OpenWay workspace for support coordinators is designed to help you shortlist options, share profiles and manage enquiries efficiently across your caseload.

OpenWay is not part of the NDIS, NDIA or NDIS Commission. Final scope, pricing, travel, cancellation rules and non-face-to-face charges must be confirmed in a written service agreement between the participant (or their authorised support person) and the provider.

This article was written by OpenWay editorial with AI assistance. We review for accuracy + tone but the framing rules of the NDIS apply: nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice. Always check the NDIS Commission and your plan for the latest rules.