Unpacking the NDIS Price Guide
September 6, 2021
At the start of every financial year, the NDIA releases its latest NDIS Price Guide. Now called the ‘NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits’, this NDIS pricing guide sets out the pricing arrangements and price limits that the NDIA has determined will apply to the provision of supports for participants in the NDIS.
The intent of these documents is to assist participants and providers, both current and prospective, to understand the ways in which price controls work in the NDIS. Price regulation is in place to help ensure that participants receive value for money when they purchase the supports that they need.
If you are an existing NDIS participant, the changes in pricing may affect the supports funded within your plan.
To help your understanding of the NDIS pricing guide, this blog will outline what the NDIS Price Guide is and go into more detail about two of the areas that relate to what we offer at Disability Plan Services, Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We’ll also discuss elements within the NDIS Support Coordination Price Guide and how it can impact your plan.
What is the NDIS Price Guide?
Put simply, the NDIS Price Guide (Pricing Arrangement and Price Limits document) sets out the general pricing arrangements that apply to all supports in the NDIS and the specific arrangements that apply to individual supports.
If you are self-managing your plan, being familiar with elements of the NDIS rates guide that are relevant for your plan helps to ensure you are receiving value for money with your service providers. Alternatively, if you are managing your NDIS plan through third party such as Disability Services, our team will be able to assist you with any price changes that may affect your access to supports. To find out more about plan management options, read our blog.
You can download the full NDIS 2021-2022 Pricing Arrangement and Price Limits document here.
NDIS Support Coordination Price Guide
The NDIS Support Coordination Price Guide outlines the pricing arrangements and limits for supports and services delivered as part of ‘Coordination of Supports’.
The NDIS Support Coordination Price Guide is broken down into three sub-categories: support connection, support coordination and specialist support coordination. The NDIS Price Guide outlines what is included in each of these supports, what can be claimed, and the price limits involved. The following table outlines what level of service is included in each of type of support.
| Support Connection | ∙ Understand the Plan ∙ Connect with Supports and Services ∙ Establish Supports ∙ Coach, Refine, Reflect ∙ Report to the NDIA |
| Coordination of Supports | ∙ Understand the Plan ∙ Connect with Supports and Services ∙ Design Support Approaches ∙ Establish Supports ∙ Coach, Refine, Reflect ∙ Targeted Support Coordination ∙ Crisis: Planning, Prevention, Mitigation and Action ∙ Build Capacity and Resilience ∙ Report to the NDIA |
| Specialist Support Coordination | ∙ Understand the Plan ∙ Connect with Supports and Services ∙ Design Support Approaches ∙ Establish Supports ∙ Coach, Refine, Reflect ∙ Targeted Support Coordination ∙ Crisis: Planning, Prevention, Mitigation and Action ∙ Address Complex Barriers ∙ Design Complex Service Plan ∙ Build Capacity and Resilience ∙ Report to the NDIA |
Support Coordination is carried out by a Support Coordinator NDIS. Working closely with you, your Support Coordinator NDIS will communicate in a language you can understand and ensure you know what is included in your plan and what isn’t.
Read more about the benefits of support coordination in our blog.
NDIS Plan Management Price Guide
The NDIS provides funding for a registered third party to help you manage your plan. The price limit for this type of support is outlined in the NDIS Price Guide. As stated in the guide, the key role of a plan manager is to:
- Manage and monitor budgets over the course of the plan
- Manage NDIS claims and pay providers for delivered service
- Maintain records and produce regular (at least monthly) statements showing the financial position of the plan
The benefits of having your plan managed by a registered third party is that all your ongoing plan administration is taken care of, allowing you to focus on achieving your goals. The best part is, it doesn’t come at the expense of your other supports.
Read more about the benefits of plan management in our blog.
How the NDIS Price Guide changes may affect you
In the 2021-2022 NDIS pricing guide, the NDIS increased the price limits for supports delivered by disability support workers to align with increased minimum wages by Fair Work Commission. If your budget has not been adjusted, you may not have enough funding in your current plan to cover the raised cost of this service.
At Disability Plan Services, our experienced staff are understand all the latest changes to the NDIS Price Guide, so we can help you to receive the funding you need and get the most of your plan funds.
Talk to the team at Disability Plan Services today by calling 1800 312 870 or emailing info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.
NDIS – Which supports are funded and which aren’t