This FAQ contains information about many of the common questions we receive about self managing an NDIS plan.
We suggest looking at the NDIS Self management guide for more information. The NDIS “Guide to self-management” can also be found here:
How do I change my plan management option if I need to?
You should call the NDIS 1800 800 110 as the NDIA has enrolled special teams of planners to help make changes (called plan variations) to NDIS plans. These changes may include changes to plan management options and adjustments so that more flexibility can be achieved.
Can I claim for services before they happen?
Generally you cannot claim for a service before it happens, however there are some cases that you can. Usually you claim for a support or service once it has occurred. If you have a group of sessions like termly cooking lessons that are required to be paid in advance to secure your place, then you can use your invoice date to claim for the sessions.
Can I claim for workshops and conferences?
You can claim for disability related workshops but you can no longer claim for conference – conferences are on the NDIS OUT list and are not considered an NDIS support. Workshops are considered training for carers in matters related to caring for a person with disability. Workshops are on the NDIS IN list therefore is considered an NDIS support.
Can I claim using my private health funds or NDIS?
You can only use one of these funding sources at any time. You either need to use your NDIS funding or you will need to use your private health funding. You cannot use them simultaneously. You cannot use private health funds and pay the gap amount with NDIS funding.
Can I make a claim after the NDIS plan has expired?
You can make a claim once a plan has expired if there is still funding in the expired plan, in the correct category. You need to do this within 90 days of an expired plan. You can only claim this on the NDIS portal, not the NDIS app. After the 90 days if you still need to process a payment request, you will need to make a manual claim. To make a manual claim you will need to send a request to the NDIA.
How do I know if I have a contractor or an employee?
You determine this depending on the working arrangement you have with your worker. You can look at some factors that will influence this decision. The ATO website can be helpful. Employee or independent contractor | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Do I need to have workers compensation insurance if I have independent support workers?
Regardless of whether you have an independent contractor or an employee, in WA you are required to have workers compensation insurance for these workers. You can claim this from your NDIS funding, as it is a cost associated with having independent support staff. You need to contact an insurance agency like Allianz, QBE, CGU, or GIO to get workers compensation insurance.
Do I need to pay superannuation to my independent workers?
This will depend on whether the workers meet the superannuation guarantee thresholds. Use the Super guarantee eligibility tool to check your obligations.
Super guarantee eligibility tool
https://www.ato.gov.au/single-page-applications/calculatorsandtools#ECDTSGET/questions/SGET.
The information provided here is not meant to be professional advice, please seek your own. Superannuation is changing on 1 July 2026 to “Pay day super”.
Do I need to have an agreement in place with my independent workers?
It is recommended that you have a written agreement with your workers so that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. There are some template contracts you can use. To note: If you are the employer, then it is encouraged to provide contracts to your employees. You will need to decide if you have casual, part time or full time employees. If you engage with independent contractors, then it is the responsibility of the contractor to provide a contract to you.
How much should I pay my support workers?
This will depend on the amount of funding available and the responsibilities and skills of your worker. This will also depend on how you negotiate your rates of pay. Typically independent contractors set their own rates of pay. If you are the employer then you set the rates of pay. The minimum requirement is based on the minimum conditions of employment. It is good practise to value your workers and pay them a fair wage. If you use a registered provider they usually charge the NDIS price guide rate. There is a superannuation guarantee regarding workers who are engaged with private or domestic duties. If they are working more than 30 hours in a week for you, then you will be responsible for paying their superannuation (in addition to their wages) so you will need to budget for this. If they are working less than 30 hours in a week for you, then there is no obligation to pay their superannuation. Workers usually earn between $35 to $55 per hour depending on the experience and skills of the worker. You will need to budget for the funding periods in your NDIS plan.
What is the NDIS price guide?
This is a guide for NDIS registered providers. The maximum price guide rate is set in the NDIS price guide (price limits and arrangements). Registered providers cannot charge you more than the rate which is set in the price guide for particular categories. There are different rates depending on weekday/ weekends, public holidays. You can negotiate rates depending on your circumstances. If you have independent support workers you would not be paying the maximum rate for those workers. You will negotiate a rate with independent workers. This will be based on their responsibilities and roles.
What costs can you claim for when you claim STA or STR?
STA is short term accommodation or STR is short term respite. There are guidelines for this. The guidelines explain what you can claim for. These include your accommodation, personal care, and the support you need to take part in community, cultural or social activities. This means NDIA won’t fund the activities themselves. What is Short Term Accommodation, including respite? | NDIS
What do you do when the portal is not working?
If the portal is not working then you can use the NDIS app. If there is maintenance on the portal, you are usually notified when you log in about the outage. You can wait till the outage ends to log back in. My NDIS mobile app | NDIS How to use the myplace portal | NDIS
What payroll do you use for employing employees?
You can use any payroll of your choice. If you have a Withholding Payer Number you will need to ensure your payroll software is compatible. You can fund the payroll software from your NDIS plan as it is a cost associated with self managing and engaging your own workers.
Can you claim the cost of advertising for your support staff?
There are many free platforms to advertise for support staff, but if you decide to advertise with a paid platform, you can claim for the cost of this advertisement from the NDIS plan. This is claimable as it is a cost associated with self managing and engaging your own workers.
What is a WPN?
A WPN is a Withholding Payer Number and is issued to you if you are an employer. If you are directly employing staff with NDIS funds, then you will be an employer. You need to apply for a WPN with the Australian Tax Office. You don’t need to apply for a WPN if you already have an ABN. If you already have an ABN for your own business, and then want to employ support staff with NDIS funding, you may need to apply for a Branch of a parent entity, to separate your NDIS employer duties from your business.
For more information about WPN Register GST or PAYG withholding branch | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) PAYG withholding | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) Withholding payer number super obligations | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
For more information about branch of ABN Register GST or PAYG withholding branch | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Do I need an ABN?
You need an Australian Business Number if you are running your own business. If you are directly employing staff using NDIS funding, and you are the employer, then you need a Withholding Payer Number.
For more information about WPN see the question: What is a WPN?
If you already have an ABN for your own business, and then want to employ support staff with NDIS funding, you may need to apply for a Branch of a parent entity, to separate your NDIS employer duties from your business.
For more information about branch of ABN Register GST or PAYG withholding branch | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
If you are choosing to become a registered provider and run a business, then you will most likely need an ABN. To find out more about ABN’s you can visit the Australian Taxation Office website. Business or company registrations | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
What are the changes to the ATO free Superannuation clearing house (SBSCH)?
From 1 July 2026 you will no longer be able to use the ATO Superannuation Small Business Clearing house for your Super payments. You will need to ensure you have another superannuation platform to make these payments. Check first to see if your current payroll software can assist with this.
How do I get support workers funded in my plan?
You need to show evidence that a support worker is beneficial to your wellbeing and aligns with your NDIS goals. Support workers can be funded to children under 9 years if there is suitable evidence to show that it is needed. It needs to be considered a reasonable and necessary support for it to be funded. It is more likely to be funded to older children and adults.
In your NDIS plan, you’ll outline your specific support needs, including the type and frequency of support required. This could include support workers for personal care, household tasks, community participation, or any other areas where you require assistance due to your disability.
Support worker funding is usually funded in the core budget from Daily Living or Social and community participation category. It can also be funded in other categories like Capacity Building social and community. In the category of Capacity Building Improved Daily Living, a support worker can be funded for Individual Skill Development.
If you are hiring your own support workers, you will need to recruit them based on your specific requirements. This may involve advertising, interviews and selecting suitable candidates. You may also need to provide training to ensure they understand your needs and preferences,
Depending on your preference, you can either manage the funds yourself (self-managed), have the NDIA manage them on your behalf (agency-managed), or opt for a plan manager (plan managed) or a combination of these. It is important to remember that you will need to budget according to your funding in your NDIS plan. There are different rates of pay depending on whether it is a weekday, weekend or public holiday, and whether you are plan, self or NDIA managed can make a difference to the workers you may choose.
For further information please contact us: ddwa@ddwa.org.au or (08) 9240-7203.
Written by DDWA’s Maggie Visser, Side by Side Manager. (last updated April 2026)