Working with self-managed participants

If you self-manage your NDIS plan, you have the most flexibility in the system. You can choose registered or unregistered providers, you have a direct line of sight on every dollar, and you decide how to use your funding. Most of our self-managed participants tell us they wouldn't go back.

Here's how using Inaro fits into that.

How invoicing works

Inaro invoices you direct, usually fortnightly, listing each shift, the line item and the rate (~9% below the NDIS Pricing Arrangements cap for the support category — e.g. $64/hr for standard weekday support). You pay the invoice (bank transfer is easiest), then claim the amount back from the NDIA through the myplace portal — typically reimbursed in 24–48 hours to your nominated account.

It's the same loop you'll already be running with other self-managed expenses. Inaro's invoice format is built to be NDIA-claim-ready so you can attach it straight to a claim.

What to keep on top of

• Funding category. Most of what Inaro does sits under Core supports (Assistance with Daily Life, Social and Community Participation, or Transport). When you claim, claim it against the right category.
• Records for five years. Keep the invoice, the bank statement showing the payment, and any shift notes from your worker. The NDIA can audit self-managed participants and good records make that easy.
• Your budget. Have a rough idea of how much you're spending per week vs what's in your plan. Surprises usually happen because someone hasn't looked for a while.

If you'd like a deeper dive, see Managing your NDIS funds (self-managed).

A few practical tips from our team

1. Set up a separate bank account for NDIS funds. It keeps the bookkeeping clean and makes claims faster.
2. Pay invoices the day they arrive, then claim immediately. Money flows out and flows back in within days — much easier than letting things stack up.
3. Use a simple spreadsheet for your year. One row per invoice, with date, provider, hours, amount and funding category. At plan-review time you'll thank yourself.

If you're not self-managed (yet)

You don't have to self-manage to use Inaro — we work with plan-managed participants too. If you'd like the flexibility but not the paperwork, plan-management gives you most of the upside without the admin. See Self-managed vs plan-managed.