What is NDIS Choice and Control?

• March 2025

  
  

Choice and control relate to your rights under the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), allowing participants to choose their NDIS supports independently.

Even if the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) or other entities handle the funding for your support, you still have a degree of control over the actual utilization of these funds.

Why is Choice and Control important?

It gives you choices and the ability to decide, allowing you to identify the supports and providers that best suit you. 

What is NDIS choice?

You have several options regarding your NDIS plan. You can decide on your goals, select the providers you collaborate with, and choose the types and combinations of supports and services that meet your needs, provided they align with your set goals and adhere to current NDIS guidelines.

What is NDIS control?

Control involves directing your life, making personal decisions, and managing your affairs. Within the NDIS, you may influence choices regarding:

• Your housing options

• The management of your plan

• The timing, location, and manner of receiving your support

• Changes to your plan

  
  

In what ways do choice and control appear in practice?

Your NDIS Plan has been developed and discussed with you to assist you in achieving your goals. Choice and control enable you to do this in the way that you prefer the most, whenever possible. The simplest way to demonstrate how choice and control facilitate this is through an example.

Imagine you wanted to attend a music concert… 

1. Since you have control over when and where you receive support, you could locate a provider to assist you in helping you attend this.

2. You also can choose who will provide this support. For example, you might select a support worker interested in music or at least one who feels comfortable at the venue.

3. After identifying the provider you wish to partner with, you can negotiate a fair and reasonable rate that suits you and your budget.

   
   

Choice, control, and NDIS funding

As an NDIS participant, you are entitled to have a voice in managing your plan, funds, and support. This encompasses:

1. Using some NDIS funds flexibly

The type of budget and funding determines the level of choice and control you can exercise in a plan. Your Core Supports budget is the most flexible, and typically, you can allocate Core funding across any Core categories.

However, this flexibility does not apply to Capital and Capacity Building Supports. Your Capital support budget can only be used for specific items outlined in your NDIS plan, and Capacity funds must be used exclusively for their designated category.

Related: NDIS Funding Categories Explained

2. Changes to your NDIS Plan

Since funding can be stated across different categories, aligning your plan with your personal goals is crucial. If your circumstances change, you can contact the NDIS anytime to request an adjustment.

The NDIS may choose a plan variation for minor adjustments, conduct a plan reassessment for major changes, or decline to modify your plan if the requested changes are not aligning the criteria of ‘reasonable and necessary‘.

In certain cases, if there is proof that your fund usage does not align with NDIS guidelines, adjustments may be made to how your plan is managed. At present, this affects self-managed NDIS participants, who might be shifted to agency management. If this occurs, you still retain the right to choice and control; however, the NDIA will directly oversee your funds, which may restrict the available provider and pricing options.

See more: NDIS Self Managed vs Plan Managed vs Agency Managed Explained.

Plan Management provides you with greater choice and control

Collaborating with a reliable Plan Manager provides greater flexibility and control over your budget usage than agency management, without the intricate administrative duties of self-management. 

Plan Management could be the right choice if you want to save time and energy while enjoying more flexibility in selecting your providers or services.

You can ask for this to be included in your NDIS plan. It will be funded in the Improved Life Choices budget category.

ELS: Your expert Plan Managers

We take care of the financial administration for your plan (like budget tracking, provider invoices, record keeping, and liaising with the NDIA) so you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy. ELS's services remove the financial burden, not your choices or freedom.

We’re people-first in our approach and work in your best interests. As a national plan manager, we are committed to providing comprehensive, consistent, and personalised service to NDIS participants across Australia—no matter your location.

If this sounds like the right fit for you, contact ELS to learn how we can help make your NDIS journey smooth.