At Credability Systems, we’ve always championed Plan Manager independence. Our unwavering support for Australia’s 1,500+ Plan Management businesses drives everything we do—from our ISO 27001:2022 certified technology to our advocacy work.
Our support for the NDIS Plan Management sector remains unwavering. We wholeheartedly believe that Plan Management is the ONLY readily available means of maintaining accountability and financial oversight for more than half of the total NDIS spending. There are approximately 1,500 businesses in Australia that have undergone stringent quality and safeguard measures to become Plan Managers, and it is concerning to see NIB Thrive proposals that could impact their hard work and dedication.
NIB Thrive has lodged three separate submissions to the NDIS Review. These have since been removed from the NDIS Review website.
If the NIB Thrive ‘NDIS Future State’ Model is to be taken at face value, then they propose to partner with the NDIA to assume control of Plan Management and the facilitation of services. This proposal poses multiple questions and concerns for stakeholders within the NDIS, including Participants, and raises important questions about the core values of the NDIS, which aim to empower individuals with disabilities by granting them choice and control over their own lives.
“Our vision for nib Thrive is to provide participants with an end-to-end and integrated experience as it relates to plan design, procurement of support services and ongoing management of those support services and participants’ budget. Essentially, this would involve merging the functions of the Local Area Coordinators, Support Coordinators and Plan Managers and viewing these as all ‘intermediaries.'”
Source: NIB Thrive NDIS Submission SUB-W1V2-003842, Page 2.
What does this mean for Plan Management?
The ‘Future State’ model presents challenges for thousands of small providers, including the Plan Management sector, by amalgamating multiple essential roles into one ‘system navigator’. This concept instantly raises major conflict of interest concerns with only one company responsible for an ‘end-to-end and integrated experience’.
A large majority of Plan Management agencies are smaller, independent agencies offering boutique service and support with a friendly face. These smaller agencies generally utilise technology (like Planability) to streamline their daily processes, and are able to specialise and adapt processes quickly and easily to support specific needs of people with disabilities.
What does this mean for Participant’s “Choice and Control”?
The NDIS was set up as a world first approach to disability support. It puts people with disability at the centre of decision-making, through the principles of reasonable and necessary supports and individual choice and control.
Source: NDIS Operational Guidelines – Reasonable and Necessary Supports, 2022, Page 2
If the NIB Thrive ‘NDIS Future State’ Model were to be implemented, Participants’ right to choose their Plan Manager and/or Support Coordinator would be removed. With one single corporation overseeing all of the pre-planning, plan implementation, financial management and service provision, Participants would be left with no alternative for these critical aspects of their plans, which raises questions about alignment with the objects and principles of the NDIS Act.
Source: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act, 2013, Part 2 – Objects and Principles.
What happens next?
In response to these submissions, we have taken decisive action and leveraged our political influence to ensure that this proposal receives thorough scrutiny from both sides of politics. Our goal is to ensure Plan Managers’ voices are heard and their futures protected. Additionally, we have proactively engaged with the media to raise awareness among the Australian public about this critical issue.
We value the input and perspectives of all Plan Managers, whether they are our customers or not. Have concerns about these industry developments?
Contact our advocacy team directly:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 034 998
You can view our Media Release here.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the proposal raises concerns about consolidation, independent Plan Managers like you continue to have strong support from both the sector and advocacy groups like Credability Systems. We’re actively working to ensure your voice is heard in these discussions.
No. Planability remains committed to serving independent Plan Managers with our ISO 27001:2022 certified platform and NDIA Aggregator Status. We’re designed to protect and empower your independence, not replace it.
Subscribe to our blog updates, follow our advocacy work, or contact our team directly at [email protected]. We’ll keep you informed of any developments that impact Plan Manager independence.
Absolutely. We welcome input from all Plan Managers. Your real-world insights strengthen our advocacy efforts. Reach out to our team to share your perspective.
