It's been a tough decision, but...
Recent NDIS reforms have greatly increased stress and burden for us as plan managers. Like many of you, we’ve also had increased anxiety and stress around our children’s NDIS plans.
The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill has now outlined major changes to plan management. This includes having a selected panel of plan management providers. Only plan managers selected by the NDIA will be able to continue trading. They expect to announce the new panel in October 2027. All participants need to be with an approved plan manager by April 2028.
The NDIA expects only a select group of large-sized plan managers to continue providing services. They view this as more cost effective, and have said they will then be adjusting pricing for plan managers. They’ve also found through a survey they conducted, that participants do not value personalised plan management. Quite a few of our participants strongly disagree with that last statement.
We have chosen not to wait for the new model to come into effect and are leaving the sector earlier.
We’ve always been about helping our clients, so we don’t want to leave you unprepared. We have reached out to our clients to let you know of our decision. If you haven’t yet been in touch with us, please do so.
Common Questions We've Been Asked
What do I need to do?
As an NDIS participant, you have the right to select or change your plan manager at any time. We’ve made a recommendation, but it is your right to choose a different provider.
Will I need to change plan managers again when the Commissioned Panel comes in?
We’ve had this question come up a few times. If you move to our recommended provider, you are unlikely to need to change plan managers again. If you move to another plan manager then you may have to move again if they are not selected by the NDIS.
We don’t have a crystal ball, but things to look for when selecting someone that is likely to be on the panel are:
- A larger plan manager. The NDIS considers 4000 participants and up to be more cost effective.
- Plan managers cannot be providing any other services in future. If you change to a plan manager that offers any other NDIS support, they will either need to cease the other supports, or close down their plan management services.
- The plan manager needs to have suitable software with APIs that integrate with the NDIS systems. Our software is compliant with this, and all plan managers hoping to be on the panel will need to have suitable software.
- The ability to take on thousands of clients in a short period of time, without compromising payments.
Our tip: If the plan manager you choose now does not get selected to be on the panel, you will need to move again. The timeline for this is between October 2027 – April 2028. Tens of thousands of participants will be moving at the same time. This will no doubt cause delays for onboarding, for providers to be set up, and for payments to be made. We recommend that when you move again, you do so early, to avoid long delays. Or wait until the last possible moment – although we’ve been hearing that the NDIS has started appointing plan managers for some participants, and not even given them a choice.
Will my providers still be paid?
Yes. Our priority is to ensure provider payments continue seamlessly throughout the transition period.
Note however that you should give us at least 3 days’ notice before you change, otherwise your provider payments may be affected.
Some of our participants have invoices that the NDIS is holding onto. This is because the supports were provided more than 90 days ago. We do not know what will happen with these payments when you move plan managers. They may be paid to us to pay to the providers. They may be paid to your new plan manager.
Do I need to let NDIS know?
No. We will guide you through the transition process. If we cannot get in touch with you, then we will let the NDIS know.
What do I need to do?
Let us know what you’re choosing to do. Respond to the emails we’ve sent you, or get in touch with us.
Phone us on 0429 800 482 or email us hello@ontimeplanservices.com.au
Thank you
Thank you for trusting us. It has been our privilege to support you with your NDIS plan. We’re here to answer any questions you may have, and make this transition as smooth as possible.
Kind regards,
Rod and Martina McNeill
On Behalf of the Team at OnTime Plan Services