Just Got NDIS Funding? Here's What to Do Next

Plan approved but not sure where to start? This guide walks you through every step, from reading your plan to finding providers and signing your first service agreement.

Congratulations - your NDIS plan has been approved. That moment can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming, especially if this is your first plan. The good news is that you do not need to figure everything out in the first week. This guide walks you through what happens after approval, step by step, so you can move at a pace that suits you and feel confident about the choices you make.

Whether you are a participant, a family member, or a carer helping someone get started, the information below will help you understand your funding, decide how to manage it, find the right providers, and get supports up and running. You can also visit the OpenWay guide for NDIS participants and families to see how a marketplace can make the provider-search part much simpler.

Understanding what is actually in your plan

Your NDIS plan is a document that sets out your goals and the funding the NDIA has approved to help you work towards them. Before you do anything else, take some time to read through it carefully.

The three funding categories

NDIS funding is divided into three broad budget categories:

Core Supports - This is usually the largest and most flexible part of your plan. It covers everyday supports like assistance with daily activities, community participation, transport, and consumables. In many cases you can move funding between line items within Core.
Capacity Building Supports - This funding is designed to build your independence and skills over time. It covers things like support coordination, employment supports, improved health and wellbeing, and improved daily living (which includes therapies). Capacity Building budgets are generally less flexible - each support category is ringfenced.
Capital Supports - This covers assistive technology and home modifications. Spending here is tied to specific items or works approved in your plan.

If you are unsure what a particular line item means, the NDIS website has a support catalogue, and your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or support coordinator can explain each one. Do not guess - knowing exactly what each budget can be spent on saves headaches later.

Your plan dates

Every plan has a start date and an end date. Funding does not roll over automatically if you do not use it, so it pays to get started reasonably promptly. Most first plans run for 12 months, though some are longer.

Choosing how your plan will be managed

One of the first practical decisions you need to make is how your NDIS funds will be managed. There are three options, and you may have already had this conversation during your planning meeting.

NDIA-managed (also called agency-managed) The NDIA pays providers directly from your plan. You can only use NDIS-registered providers. This is the simplest option administratively, but it does limit your choice to the registered provider pool.

Plan-managed A registered plan manager handles the financial side on your behalf. They pay providers, track your budgets, and send you regular statements. You can use both registered and unregistered providers, which opens up a wider range of options. Plan management is funded separately in your plan - it does not come out of your Core budget.

Self-managed You manage the funds yourself, pay providers directly, and claim reimbursements through the myplace portal. This gives you the most flexibility and the widest provider choice, but it also comes with administrative responsibility.

If you are not sure which option suits you, talk to your LAC. You can also request a change to your management type at your next plan review if your circumstances change.

Finding providers that suit you

Once you know your budget categories and management type, you can start looking for providers. This is often the part that feels most daunting, but breaking it into smaller steps makes it manageable.

Work out what supports you actually need first

Go back to your goals in the plan. What did you say you wanted to achieve? Which supports are most urgent - the ones that will make the biggest difference to your daily life right now? Start there rather than trying to set up every support at once.

Make a short list of the support types you want to find providers for. For example:

Occupational therapy (under Improved Daily Living)
Support worker for community access (under Core - Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation)
Plan manager (if you chose plan-managed)

What to look for in a provider

Not all providers are the same, even if they offer similar services. When you are comparing options, consider:

Registration status - NDIS-registered providers have been audited against the NDIS Practice Standards. If your plan is agency-managed, you must use registered providers.
Location and availability - Can they actually service your area, and do they have capacity to take on a new participant right now?
Experience with your disability or support needs - Some providers specialise in particular conditions or age groups.
Communication style - Do they explain things clearly? Do they respond promptly? First impressions matter.
Reviews and references - Ask other participants or families for recommendations, or look at provider profiles that include reviews.

You can browse NDIS providers across Australia on OpenWay to compare profiles, check service areas, and send enquiries - all without any cost to you as a participant.

Asking the right questions before you commit

Before you sign anything or commit to a provider, have a conversation with them. This is your opportunity to check that they are a good fit. Here is a checklist of questions worth asking:

Are you NDIS-registered? (Important if your plan is agency-managed.)
Do you currently have availability for a new participant in my area?
What is your experience supporting people with my type of disability or support needs?
How do you match participants with support workers, and what happens if I am not happy with my worker?
What is your cancellation policy? (The NDIS Pricing Arrangements set rules around short-notice cancellations - ask how the provider applies these.)
Do you charge for travel time, and if so, how is that calculated?
How will we communicate - phone, email, an app?
What does your service agreement look like, and can I see a sample?

Do not feel pressured to say yes on the spot. A good provider will give you time to think.

Signing a service agreement

A service agreement is a written contract between you (or your authorised representative) and the provider. Under the NDIS framework, providers are required to have a service agreement in place before delivering funded supports.

What a service agreement should cover

A well-written service agreement will include:

The specific supports to be delivered and how often
The agreed price per unit (hour, session, etc.) and the relevant NDIS support item number
How and when the provider will claim from your plan
Cancellation terms, including how much notice is required and whether a cancellation fee applies
How to raise a complaint or give feedback
How to end the agreement if you decide to change providers

Read the agreement carefully before you sign. If something is unclear, ask the provider to explain it. You are allowed to negotiate terms - for example, requesting a shorter notice period for ending the agreement.

Keeping a copy

Always keep a signed copy of every service agreement. Store them somewhere you can find them easily - a folder on your computer or a physical folder at home both work fine.

Getting your supports started

Once agreements are signed, it is time to get things moving. Here is a rough order of events for most new participants:

Set up your plan manager (if plan-managed) - They will need a copy of your plan and your bank details. They will also explain how to submit invoices.
Book your first therapy appointments - Allied health providers often have waitlists, so contact them early even if you are not ready to start immediately.
Introduce yourself to your support coordinator (if you have one funded) - They can help you shortlist and contact providers, explain your plan, and set up service agreements on your behalf.
Start your highest-priority support first - You do not need everything running at once. One or two supports working well is better than five supports in chaos.
Track your spending - Whether you are self-managed, plan-managed, or agency-managed, keep an eye on your budgets so you do not run out before your plan end date.

Support coordinators have their own workspace on OpenWay that helps them manage the provider search and shortlisting process for their participants - if your coordinator is not already using it, it might be worth mentioning.

A note on safety and your rights

As an NDIS participant, you have rights. Providers must treat you with dignity and respect, deliver supports as agreed, and handle your information with care. The NDIS Commission oversees provider conduct and handles complaints about registered providers.

If something feels wrong - a worker behaves inappropriately, a provider charges you incorrectly, or you feel pressured - you can contact the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544 or lodge a complaint online. You can also speak to your LAC, support coordinator, or an NDIS advocate.

OpenWay takes verification seriously. You can read about how OpenWay approaches trust and safety for participants to understand what checks are in place for providers listed on the platform.

Frequently asked

Can I change providers if things are not working out? Yes. You are not locked in permanently. Most service agreements include a notice period - commonly two to four weeks - after which you can end the agreement and find a new provider. If a situation is urgent or involves a safety concern, contact the NDIS Commission for guidance on your options.

What if my plan does not have enough funding for everything I need? If you feel your plan does not reflect your needs, you can request an internal review of the NDIA's decision. It is worth keeping notes and gathering supporting evidence from your allied health team or GP before you request a review. Your support coordinator or LAC can help you prepare.

Do I have to use all my funding before the plan ends? Unused funding does not roll over to your next plan - it returns to the NDIA. That said, you should not rush to spend funds on supports you do not need just to use the money. Focus on supports that genuinely help you reach your goals, and if you consistently have leftover funding, raise that at your next plan review as evidence that your plan may need adjusting.

How OpenWay can help

Starting out on the NDIS can feel like a lot to navigate at once, and finding the right providers is often the most time-consuming part. OpenWay is a free-to-use marketplace for NDIS participants, families and support coordinators across Australia. You can explore NDIS provider profiles, filter by location and support type, and send enquiries - all in one place, without any cost to you.

If you are new to the NDIS and want to understand how the platform works, the OpenWay participant and family hub is a good starting point. It explains what OpenWay does, how provider profiles are structured, and how to get the most out of a search.

OpenWay does not deliver supports, manage your plan funds, or make decisions about your care. It simply makes it easier to find and compare providers so you can make informed choices with confidence.

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.