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

Congratulations - your NDIS plan has been approved. That is a real milestone, and it means the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has recognised that you need support and has set aside funding to help you access it. But for many people, the moment after approval brings a wave of questions. What do the categories mean? Who do you contact first? What is a service agreement and do you have to sign one? This guide answers all of that in plain English, in the order things actually happen.

Step 1: Read your plan and understand what it funds

Your NDIS plan is a document that outlines your goals, the support categories your funding sits in, and the dollar amounts allocated to each. It does not come with a list of providers already attached. Think of it as a budget - your job is to decide how to spend it in a way that helps you reach your goals.

The three budget types

NDIS plans divide funding into three broad types:

1. Core Supports - everyday assistance like personal care, help around the home, community access and consumables. This is the most flexible budget and, in most cases, you can move money between sub-categories within Core.
2. Capacity Building Supports - time-limited funding aimed at building your independence and skills. Categories include support coordination, improved living arrangements, finding and keeping a job, and improved health and wellbeing. This budget is less flexible - money generally stays within each sub-category.
3. Capital Supports - funding for assistive technology and home modifications. These supports usually require quotes and approval before you spend.

Take a highlighter to your plan and mark every line that has a dollar amount. If anything is unclear, the NDIA has a helpline (1800 800 110) and you can also ask a support coordinator or local area coordinator (LAC) to walk you through it.

Step 2: Decide how your plan will be managed

One of the first decisions you need to make is who will handle the money in your plan. There are three options, and your plan will reflect whichever one the NDIA approved for you - though you can request a change at your next plan review.

Plan managed

A registered plan manager receives invoices from providers and pays them on your behalf. You get to choose from both registered and unregistered providers, and you receive a monthly statement showing what has been spent. Many people new to the NDIS prefer this option because it removes the administrative burden while still giving choice.

Self managed

You receive the funding directly and pay providers yourself, then keep receipts for auditing purposes. This gives you the most flexibility - you can hire supports that are not NDIS-registered - but it also means more paperwork and responsibility.

NDIA managed (agency managed)

The NDIA pays providers directly from your plan. You can only use NDIS-registered providers, but there is no financial administration on your end. This is a common starting point for people who are new to the scheme.

If your plan includes plan management funding as a line item under Capacity Building, that money is specifically to pay a plan manager - it does not come out of your other budgets.

Step 3: Find providers that suit you

This is where many people feel stuck. There is no single directory that shows you every provider in your area, their availability, their prices, and whether they are a good fit for your situation. That is exactly the gap OpenWay was built to fill.

You can browse NDIS providers across Australia on OpenWay and filter by support type, location and registration status. Provider profiles include information about the services they offer, the regions they cover, and how to get in touch - so you can compare options before you commit to anything.

What to look for in a provider

When you are shortlisting providers, consider:

• Registration status - if your plan is NDIA managed, you must use registered providers. If you are plan managed or self managed, you have more choice.
• Availability - some providers have waitlists, so it is worth contacting a few options at once rather than waiting to hear back from your first choice.
• Specialisation - a provider who has experience supporting people with your disability or in your age group will often be a better fit than a generalist.
• Location and travel - check whether the provider services your suburb and whether there are travel charges for in-home visits.
• Communication style - how quickly do they respond to enquiries? Do they explain things clearly? First impressions matter.

If you are new to the scheme and feeling overwhelmed, the participant guide on OpenWay has more detail on how the marketplace works and how to use it to find the right fit.

Step 4: Make contact and ask the right questions

Once you have a shortlist, reach out to each provider. Most providers will offer an initial conversation - sometimes called an intake call or a meet and greet - before you commit to anything. Use this conversation to ask:

1. Are you NDIS-registered?
2. Do you currently have capacity to take on a new participant?
3. What is your cancellation policy?
4. How do you handle situations where a worker is sick and cannot attend?
5. Do you charge for travel, and if so, how is that calculated?
6. How do you match participants with support workers?
7. What happens if the arrangement is not working out?

Write the answers down. If a provider is reluctant to answer straightforward questions, that tells you something.

Step 5: Sign a service agreement before supports begin

A service agreement is a written contract between you (or your authorised representative) and the provider. It is not optional - the NDIS Practice Standards require registered providers to have one in place before delivering supports. Even with unregistered providers, having a written agreement protects both parties.

A good service agreement will cover:

• The specific supports to be delivered and how often
• The price for each support (which must align with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits)
• How invoices will be submitted and to whom
• The notice period required to end the agreement
• The cancellation policy (including short-notice cancellations, which the NDIS Commission has specific rules about)
• How complaints or concerns should be raised

Read the agreement carefully before you sign. If something does not look right - for example, a price that seems higher than the NDIS price guide rate, or a notice period that feels excessive - ask the provider to explain it or adjust it. You are not locked in forever. Most agreements can be ended with reasonable notice.

OpenWay's trust and safety information explains how providers on the platform are verified and what standards they are expected to meet.

Step 6: Start supports and keep track of your budget

Once your service agreement is signed, supports can begin. From here, staying on top of your budget becomes a regular habit.

• If you are plan managed, your plan manager will send you statements. Check them regularly and let your plan manager know if something looks wrong.
• If you are self managed, keep every receipt and invoice in a folder (physical or digital). The NDIA can audit self-managed plans.
• If you are NDIA managed, you can log in to the myplace portal to see what has been claimed against your plan.

Regardless of management type, if you notice your funding is running out faster than expected, contact your LAC or support coordinator sooner rather than later. They can help you work out whether a plan review is needed.

What if you have a support coordinator in your plan?

If your plan includes funding for support coordination under Capacity Building, you have money set aside to pay a support coordinator to help you implement your plan. Support coordinators are professionals who help you find providers, navigate the system, resolve issues, and prepare for plan reviews.

If you are a support coordinator reading this article, OpenWay has a dedicated workspace for support coordinators where you can manage shortlists, send enquiries to multiple providers, and share options with participants - all in one place.

A support coordinator is not the same as a plan manager. A plan manager handles the money. A support coordinator helps you use it well.

Frequently asked

How long do I have to spend my NDIS funding? Your plan has a set end date, usually 12 months from the start date. Unspent funding does not roll over to your next plan - it returns to the NDIA. This is why it is worth starting to engage providers as soon as your plan is approved rather than waiting. If you are struggling to find providers or get started, your LAC or support coordinator can help you move faster.

Can I change providers after I have started? Yes. You can end a service agreement and move to a different provider, provided you follow the notice period in your agreement. There is no penalty for switching, and you do not need to explain your reasons to the NDIA. If a provider is not meeting your needs, you are entitled to find someone who does.

Do I need to tell the NDIA which providers I am using? If your plan is NDIA managed, providers will register service bookings in the myplace portal, so the NDIA can see who is delivering your supports. If you are plan managed or self managed, you do not need to notify the NDIA of individual provider choices, but you do need to ensure that all spending is on reasonable and necessary NDIS supports as defined in your plan.

How OpenWay can help

Finding the right providers when you are new to the NDIS can feel like a full-time job. OpenWay makes it easier by bringing together provider profiles in one searchable marketplace - free for participants and families to use.

You can browse NDIS providers by support type and location, read about what each provider offers, and send enquiries directly through the platform. There is no obligation to commit, and you can contact multiple providers at once to compare availability and fit.

If you are just getting started and want to understand how OpenWay works for participants and families, visit the participant and family section of OpenWay for a full overview.

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.