How to Switch Your NDIS Plan Manager
You can switch plan managers at any time — no lock-in, no cancellation fee, no impact on your NDIS funding. This includes switching mid-plan, without waiting for your next plan review. The process takes around two weeks from decision to your new plan manager being active, and your new provider handles most of the admin for you.
Last reviewed: May 2026
How to switch plan managers — 6 steps
Knowing the sequence helps you move quickly and avoid delays. Your new plan manager guides you through most of it.
Choose your new plan manager
Before giving notice to your current provider, confirm who you are moving to. Compare providers on payment speed, portal quality, and responsiveness at our independent plan manager comparison. Shortlist two or three options and contact your preferred provider first to confirm they are taking new clients in your area — this avoids a gap where you have left your current plan manager but your new one is not yet set up.
Sign a service agreement with your new plan manager
Once you have chosen your new provider, sign a service agreement covering how they will work with you, their fees (funded by the NDIA — not you), and the agreed start date. Most providers issue a service agreement within one business day. Check the notice period clause carefully — it is the period you will be expected to give if you later switch again. Once signed, your new plan manager takes the lead on the remaining steps.
Give written notice to your current plan manager
Check your existing service agreement for the required notice period — typically 2–4 weeks. An email is sufficient. State your intended end date and request a final reconciliation of outstanding invoices. Keep a copy and note the date — this starts the notice clock. If you cannot find your service agreement, contact your current plan manager and ask. You are entitled to leave at any time; the notice period allows them to process outstanding invoices cleanly, not prevent you from leaving.
Your new plan manager notifies the NDIA
You do not need to contact the NDIA yourself. Your new plan manager registers as the financial intermediary for your plan through the NDIA's Provider Digital Access (PRODA) system. They will ask for your NDIS participant number and the agreed start date. This step is handled entirely by your new provider — your only job is to confirm the details they ask for.
The NDIA processes the change
The NDIA processes the provider change within 1–3 business days, though it can occasionally take up to a week during busy periods. During this time you may have a brief overlap where both providers have limited visibility of your plan — this is normal. Your current plan manager continues processing invoices submitted up to the transition date; your new plan manager cannot yet claim against your budget.
Confirm portal access with your new plan manager
Once the NDIA has processed the change, your new plan manager gains read-only access to your NDIS portal and can begin processing invoices. Notify all your providers — support workers, therapists, and other services — of the new invoicing details. If providers continue submitting to your old plan manager after the transition date, those invoices will not be processed. Log into your new portal and confirm your budget balances are visible and accurate.
What to do if your current plan manager won't cooperate
Participants cannot be held against their will. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits do not set a mandatory notice period — a notice period governs the administrative tidiness of the exit, not your right to leave. The most common cause of delays is poor communication, not deliberate obstruction. Setting clear written expectations at the start prevents most issues.
If a plan manager is actively obstructing your right to switch, contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544. In practice, most disputes are resolved before this step is needed.
- Put all communication in writing — email only, no phone calls without a written follow-up
- Request a list of outstanding invoices and expected processing dates in writing
- Set a firm transition date — state it explicitly and confirm what invoices are processed by whom
- If a notice period longer than 4 weeks is demanded, ask for the specific clause in your service agreement
- Contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 if obstruction continues
What happens to pending invoices during the switch
Your current plan manager remains responsible for any invoice submitted before the agreed transition date. Your new plan manager handles all invoices from that date onwards. Budget funds do not disappear during a switch — only who is authorised to process claims against your plan changes.
If an invoice falls through the gap — submitted to the wrong provider or after the transition date to your old provider — contact both plan managers. In most cases it is resolved by redirecting the invoice to the correct provider. For a full understanding of how invoices are processed, read our guide to what NDIS plan management is and how it works.
- Ask providers to submit outstanding invoices to your current plan manager at least one week before the transition date
- From the transition date, all new invoices go to your new plan manager
- Pass your new plan manager's invoicing details to every provider as soon as the switch is confirmed
- Your new plan manager will typically provide a one-page instruction sheet you can forward to providers
- Log into your new portal after the switch and confirm all budget balances are visible and accurate
Common questions, plainly answered.
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How long does it take to switch NDIS plan managers?
The full process typically takes two weeks. This includes serving your notice period with your current provider (usually 2–4 weeks), the NDIA processing the provider change (1–3 business days), and notifying your service providers of the new invoicing details. If your current service agreement has a short notice period and your new plan manager moves quickly, the switch can be completed in under a week.
Can my plan manager refuse to let me leave?
No. A plan manager cannot prevent you from switching. They can ask you to honour the notice period in your service agreement — typically 2–4 weeks — to allow time to process outstanding invoices, but they cannot lock you in beyond that. If a plan manager is obstructing your right to switch, contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544.
What happens to my invoices during the switch?
Your current plan manager processes all invoices submitted before the agreed transition date. Your new plan manager handles all invoices from the transition date onwards. Ask your providers to submit outstanding invoices to your current plan manager at least a week before the transition date, then send all future invoices to your new provider from the transition date. Budget funds are not affected by the switch.
Do I need to notify the NDIA myself?
No. Your new plan manager notifies the NDIA on your behalf by registering as the financial intermediary for your plan through the NDIA's provider portal. You only need to provide your NDIS participant number and confirm the agreed transition date. Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 only if a complication arises — such as a dispute that requires NDIA involvement.
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