Making sense of your NDIS Plan: A helpful cheat sheet for families

If you’ve ever opened your NDIS plan and thought, “Where do I even start?” – you’re not alone.

Many families receive their plan and funding approval, but little practical guidance on how to actually navigate it. Plan types, funding categories, service agreements, billing, claimable vs non-claimable activities… it can feel overwhelming before you’ve even begun.

At BlueRocket Therapy we believe families deserve clarity and confidence when it comes to their supports.

That's why our team developed a practical NDIS Cheat Sheet to help break it all down in simple, easy-to-understand language.

What’s inside the cheat sheet?

This guide covers key areas including:

• The different plan types (Self-Managed, Plan-Managed and NDIA-Managed)
• How funding categories work
• What therapy can be billed for (and why)
• The difference between billed and non-billed activities
• Understanding reports, travel and indirect time
• Practical tips to help you make the most of your funding

It’s designed to remove confusion, answer common questions, and give families a clearer understanding of how therapy supports fit within their plan.

Self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed: what's the difference

Self-managed means you (or a nominee) hold the funding and pay providers directly. Plan-managed means a plan manager pays providers on your behalf and tracks the budget for you. NDIA-managed (also called agency-managed) means the NDIA pays providers directly, and supports are delivered by NDIS-registered providers.

Which management type suits you is your decision, made when your plan is created or reviewed — the NDIA, your planner or your support coordinator can help you weigh it up. BlueRocket works with self-managed and plan-managed participants; the cheat sheet walks through what each type means for booking and billing therapy.

Why understanding your NDIS plan matters

When families understand their funding, they’re empowered to make informed decisions. It allows for transparent conversations, better planning, and stronger collaboration between clinicians, clients and support teams. Our fees page shows exactly how therapy is billed.

Access the BlueRocket Therapy NDIS Cheat Sheet.

If you have questions about your plan or how therapy fits within your supports, our team is always here to answer any questions you have.

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualised clinical advice. If you have concerns about your own situation, the right next step is a conversation with a qualified clinician.