NDIS

NDIS Plan Manager vs Support Coordinator: What’s the Difference?

25 July 2025

Poonam Khanduri

10 min read

0 comments

Not sure whether you need a Plan Manager or a Support Coordinator?
You’re not the only one. Many NDIS participants across Melbourne, Perth, Albury-Wodonga, and other areas ask the same thing.

Both roles are there to support you—but they do very different jobs.
A Plan Manager helps you handle your NDIS funding and pay providers.
A Support Coordinator helps you find the right services and use your plan with confidence.

Knowing the difference can take a lot of stress out of your NDIS journey.
So, let’s break it down—what each one does, how they help, and whether you might need one, both, or neither.n what each role does—and whether you might need one, both, or neither.

What Is an NDIS Plan Manager?

Let’s start with the Plan Manager—because handling your NDIS funding can feel overwhelming at first.

A Plan Manager helps you manage the financial side of your NDIS plan. That includes paying your service providers, keeping track of your budget, and making sure everything is claimed correctly from the NDIS portal.

They don’t choose your supports or make decisions for you—but they do take care of the paperwork so you don’t have to stress about invoices, receipts, or NDIS claims.

Here’s what a Plan Manager usually does:

Pays invoices from your service providers
Tracks your budget so you don’t overspend
Sends you regular updates or monthly reports
Helps you understand how your funds are being used
Deals with the NDIS portal on your behalf

The best part? Plan Management is free if it’s in your plan—and you can ask for it during your planning meeting.

Many people across Melbourne, Perth, and regional areas like Albury-Wodonga choose plan management because it gives them more flexibility and less admin. You get the freedom to use both registered and unregistered providers, and you don’t need to worry about financial paperwork.

If you want more choice and less stress, a Plan Manager can be a great option.

What Is an NDIS Support Coordinator?

Now that you know what a Plan Manager does, let’s talk about the other key role—the Support Coordinator.

A Support Coordinator helps you make your NDIS plan work in real life. Their job is to connect you with the right services, explain how to use your funding, and guide you through the NDIS system so you feel more confident and in control.

They don’t manage your money—that’s what a Plan Manager does. Instead, they focus on helping you:

Understand your plan and what you’re funded for
Find the right support providers for your needs
Set up service agreements
Coordinate your supports (especially if you have many)
Prepare for plan reviews and track your progress
Adjust services when your needs change

You’ll usually have support coordination in your plan if the NDIA thinks it’s “reasonable and necessary”. It’s often included if your situation is more complex, or if you don’t have informal supports (like family or carers) to help you manage everything.

Whether you’re based in a major city like Melbourne or in a smaller area like Albury-Wodonga or the Mornington Peninsula, a local Support Coordinator can make a big difference. They understand your community, know local providers, and can help you get started faster.

In short, a Support Coordinator is your personal guide through the NDIS system—making sure you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Key Differences: NDIS Plan Manager vs Support Coordinator

It’s easy to confuse the two—but Plan Management and Support Coordination are very different roles. Both support you in using your NDIS plan, but they focus on different areas.

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

A Plan Manager helps you handle the financial side of your plan—budgeting, paying providers, and keeping track of your funds.
A Support Coordinator helps you connect with services and use your supports in a way that fits your goals.

You can have one, both, or none—depending on what’s in your NDIS plan.

Let’s break it down even further:

Feature	Plan Manager	Support Coordinator
Main Focus	Managing your NDIS funds and paying providers	Helping you use your plan and connect with supports
Handles Invoices?	✅ Yes	❌ No
Finds Providers?	❌ No	✅ Yes
Builds Service Agreements?	❌ No	✅ Yes
Tracks Your Budget?	✅ Yes	❌ No (but may check if supports are working well)
Attends Meetings?	❌ No	✅ Yes (like plan reviews or goal-setting meetings)
NDIS Portal Access?	✅ Claims on your behalf	❌ No access
Works With NDIA?	✅ For financial claims	✅ For service planning and reports
Helps With Plan Reviews?	✅ With budget reports	✅ With progress updates and support documentation

Do I Need Both a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator?

It’s a common question—and the answer is: you can have both, if your plan includes them.

A Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator play very different roles, and they actually work really well together. One handles the finances, while the other helps you get the right supports in place.

You might benefit from having both if:

You find it hard to keep up with NDIS budgets and paperwork
You need help finding providers or understanding what you’re funded for
You’ve got multiple supports to manage and want guidance
You don’t have family or carers to assist with plan navigation
You’re new to the NDIS and feeling unsure where to begin

Think of it this way:
🟢 The Plan Manager is your budget manager.
🟢 The Support Coordinator is your support navigator.

If you want more choice, flexibility, and peace of mind—having both can give you just that.

You’ll need to request each role in your NDIS planning meeting, and the NDIA will decide if they’re “reasonable and necessary” for your situation.

If they’re approved, you can choose who provides them—and that means finding someone who understands your goals, your area, and your needs.

Which One Is Right for Me?

Still unsure whether you need a Plan Manager, a Support Coordinator, or both?

Here’s a simple way to figure it out:

✅ You might need a Plan Manager if:

You want someone to pay your providers for you
You don’t want to deal with NDIS invoices or paperwork
You’d like regular updates about your spending
You want to use unregistered providers
Budgeting feels overwhelming

✅ You might need a Support Coordinator if:

You’re not sure how to start using your plan
You have multiple supports and services to organise
You need help setting up services or agreements
You want someone to guide you through your NDIS journey
You need help before or during a plan review

✅ You might need both if:

You want less stress with money and services
You have complex needs or limited informal support
You’re new to the NDIS and need help with both planning and payments

Still confused? That’s okay. Many people across Melbourne, Perth, Albury-Wodonga, and nearby areas choose both options to make life simpler.

Can I Get Both in My NDIS Plan?

Yes—you can have both a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator in your NDIS plan.

But it depends on what the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) considers reasonable and necessary for your situation.

Here’s how it usually works:

Plan Management is often approved by default if you ask for it. It gives you more flexibility and control over your funding.
Support Coordination is approved based on your needs. You might get it if your plan is complex or if you don’t have someone to help you manage your supports.

You’ll need to ask for both roles during your NDIS planning meeting. Be clear about why you need them.

Quick tip:

If you’re unsure how to ask, just say:
“I’d like Plan Management to help with finances, and Support Coordination to help me set up and manage services.”

If approved, both services are fully funded by the NDIS—you won’t need to pay anything out of pocket.

How 360 Support Coordination Can Help

At 360 Support Coordination, we make the NDIS feel simpler.

Whether you’re looking for help with plan management, support coordination, or both—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Our team works with NDIS participants across Melbourne, Perth, Albury-Wodonga, and nearby areas. We take the time to understand your needs, explain your options, and connect you with services that actually work for you.

Here’s what we offer:

Personalised support, tailored to your goals
Local knowledge of providers in your area
Friendly help with navigating your plan
Clear communication—no confusing jargon

We believe everyone deserves support that’s simple, respectful, and easy to access.

Whether you’re just starting out or need help managing a complex plan—we’ll help you feel more confident and in control.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator?

A Plan Manager handles the financial side of your NDIS plan—paying providers, managing invoices, and tracking your budget.
A Support Coordinator helps you understand your plan, connect with services, and manage supports.

2. Can I have both a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator?

Yes! If both are included in your plan, you can use them together. One looks after your budget, while the other helps you organise your supports.

3. Do I have to pay for plan management or support coordination?

No. If approved in your NDIS plan, both services are fully funded by the NDIS—you won’t pay anything out of pocket.

4. Who chooses my Plan Manager and Support Coordinator?

You do. You have full choice and control to select a registered provider that fits your needs. You can also change providers anytime.

5. Do Plan Managers and Support Coordinators work together?

They can! Many participants have both roles working side by side. The Plan Manager handles funding, while the Support Coordinator ensures your services are in place and aligned with your goals.

6. Do I need a Support Coordinator if I already have a Plan Manager?

Yes—if your needs go beyond finances. Plan Managers don’t help find or coordinate services. That’s what a Support Coordinator does.

7. What if I don’t have Support Coordination in my plan?

You can request it during a plan reassessment. Be clear about your challenges—especially if you need help coordinating services or have limited informal support.

8. Can unregistered providers be used with a Plan Manager?

Yes. One big benefit of having a Plan Manager is that you can use both registered and unregistered providers.

9. How do I ask for plan management or support coordination in my NDIS meeting?

Simply say:
“I’d like Plan Management to help with payments, and Support Coordination to help me organise and manage services.”

Your LAC or planner will assess and include it if it’s reasonable and necessary.

10. Is plan management automatically included in all NDIS plans?

No—but it’s easy to request. Just ask during your planning meeting. Most requests for plan management are approved.