Managing an NDIS Plan for Someone Else: A Guide for Nominees and Families
Nicole Daniels
on
Nominees & Families
Many NDIS participants don't manage their own plans. Children, people with significant cognitive disabilities, or those who simply need support with administrative tasks may have a family member, carer, or trusted person manage their plan on their behalf. These people are known as nominees.
What Is an NDIS Nominee?
Plan Nominee
A plan nominee is appointed to manage the participant's NDIS plan — including making decisions about supports, managing funding, submitting claims, and keeping records.
Correspondence Nominee
A correspondence nominee receives and responds to NDIS correspondence on behalf of the participant but does not take on the financial management responsibilities of a plan nominee.
What Can a Nominee Do?
Make decisions about which supports to access
Engage and pay providers
Submit claims through the myNDIS Participant Portal
Manage the participant's NDIS funding
Attend plan reviews and meetings with the NDIA
Keep records and manage the plan's administration
Managing Plans for Multiple Participants
Some nominees — particularly parents — manage NDIS plans for more than one participant. Capsure supports nominees managing multiple participants, keeping each person's invoices, claims, and records clearly separated and independently accessible.
Common Challenges for Nominees — and How to Address Them
Admin overwhelm
Establishing a consistent weekly routine for invoice processing and claiming, and using tools that automate the data-entry side of things, makes the admin far more manageable.
Tracking what's been paid vs. what's outstanding
Capsure's "Need to pay" list flags unpaid invoices automatically, preventing providers from going unpaid and reducing the mental load of tracking manually.
Staying audit-ready
Nominees have the same audit obligations as self-managing participants. Keeping records organised from the start — in a searchable, filterable system — makes this straightforward rather than stressful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become an NDIS nominee?
You can apply to become a nominee by contacting the NDIA and completing a nominee application. The NDIA will assess the application and, if approved, formalise the arrangement.
What's the difference between a nominee and a support coordinator?
A support coordinator helps participants implement their plan and connect with providers. A nominee makes decisions and manages the plan on behalf of a participant. They serve different functions — and a participant can have both.
What happens to the nominee arrangement when a child turns 18?
When a participant turns 18, the NDIS reassesses their situation. If the participant has capacity to manage their own plan, the nominee arrangement may end. This needs to be confirmed with the NDIA in advance.
As a nominee, am I personally liable for misuse of NDIS funds?
Yes. Nominees are responsible for ensuring NDIS funds are used appropriately. Acting in good faith, maintaining accurate records, and keeping spending aligned with the participant's plan goals is the best protection against this risk.
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