The full answer
Plan management is one of three plan-management types (the others being self-managed and NDIA-managed). A plan manager is a registered provider that receives the participant's funded budget, pays provider invoices on behalf of the participant, and tracks remaining funds. The participant still chooses their providers — registered or unregistered. Plan management is funded by the NDIS as a separate item; it costs the participant nothing. About 60% of plans are plan-managed in 2026, making this the largest market for unregistered providers.