Self-managed NDIS participants have chosen to take direct control of their funding, giving them flexibility in choosing providers and negotiating rates. For providers, self-managed participants represent both an opportunity and a responsibility — your invoice is going directly to an individual managing their own finances, not to a professional plan manager or the NDIA.
A self-managed participant (or their nominee) pays provider invoices directly from their NDIS funding and then submits payment requests to the NDIA for reimbursement. Your invoice must contain enough detail for the participant to accurately describe the support to the NDIA. Self-managed participants are not bound by NDIS price limits in the same way — they can agree to pay more than the catalogue price limit if they choose. However, as a provider, be clear in your service agreement if your rates differ from the current price guide.
A compliant invoice for a self-managed participant should contain: your organisation's legal name, ABN, and contact details; invoice number and date; participant's name and NDIS number; a clear description of each support delivered including the NDIS support item reference number, support category, and date of service; quantity and unit price for each line item; total amount (noting disability supports are GST-free); your bank account details for direct payment; and payment terms (typically 14 days).
When you invoice a self-managed participant, payment depends on the participant's own financial management. To manage this, set clear payment terms in your service agreement, follow up promptly on overdue invoices, and consider requesting a one-week advance payment at the commencement of services to establish a cash flow buffer. Track your self-managed accounts receivable separately from your agency-managed and plan-managed receivables.
For self-managed participants, a clear, signed service agreement is even more important than for agency-managed participants. Your service agreement should specify the supports to be delivered and agreed rates, invoicing frequency, payment terms and late payment consequences, the cancellation policy, and the review process if the participant's plan changes or funding runs low.
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