Where it sits in your plan
NDIS plans group funding into support categories. Improved Life Choices is support category 14, one of the Capacity Building categories. In plans made in the NDIA's PACE system the same category is labelled Choice and Control, so you may see either name depending on your plan.
Its support item numbers start with 14. The main one is 14_034_0127_8_3, Plan Management Monthly Fee.
What it pays for
The NDIS pricing arrangements describe this category as supports that help participants with the management of their plans. In practice, it pays a plan manager to:
- Manage and monitor your budgets over the course of your plan
- Receive provider invoices, check them against your plan and the price limits, and claim them
- Pay your providers for delivered supports
- Keep records, which plan managers must hold for 3 years
- Give you regular statements, at least monthly, showing where your plan stands
Why it does not cut your other supports
If you ask to be plan managed, the NDIA adds this funding on top of your other budgets. It can only be used for plan management, which means choosing a plan manager does not take money away from support workers, therapy or equipment.
The other side is that you cannot move this money to other supports, even if you have some left over. It is also not affected by the October 2026 funding reset, which only reduces social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills supports.
How much it is in 2026/27
The 2026/27 NDIS pricing schedule has one plan management item: a monthly fee with a price limit of $104.45. Unlike most supports, the limit is the same in national, remote and very remote areas. Plan management and support coordination price limits were held at their previous rates for 2026/27, and there is no separate set up fee in the current price limits.
Not the same as self management training
If your goal is to manage your own plan one day, ask about capacity building and training in self management and plan management. That is a separate support item, delivered by a provider who teaches you skills such as engaging providers, keeping records and managing money. It is not paid from the plan management fee.
What is changing
- From 1 December 2026: claims must be made within 90 days of the support, so get invoices to your plan manager quickly
- From 1 April 2027: under new framework plans, plan management can be added to your plan separately from the assessment of your support needs, if you ask for it and are eligible
- From 1 October 2027: the NDIA sets up a panel of approved plan managers. If yours is not on it, you will have 6 months to move to one that is