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Better Planning

Name: Better Planning
Address: 328b Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia, AU
Telephone: 0428 981 887
Rating: 5

328b Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia

★★★★★5(3 reviews)

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About Better Planning

Better Planning is an NDIS-registered provider based in Wollongong, New South Wales, serving participants across Illawarra Shoalhaven. They offer 1 types of support including plan management.

Based on 3 Google reviews, Better Planning holds a 5-star rating, which puts them in the top tier for provider feedback in the Illawarra Shoalhaven service area.

Services Better Planning provides

Plan management

Understanding plan management under the NDIS

A plan manager is a financial intermediary who handles the payment side of your NDIS plan. They receive and pay provider invoices, track your budget across categories, provide regular financial statements, and ensure claims are correctly lodged with the NDIA. Essentially, they handle the paperwork so you can focus on using your supports.

Under the 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements, plan management fees are set at $108.84 for initial setup and $16.28 per month ongoing. These fees are drawn from a dedicated plan management budget in your plan and don’t reduce your other funding. If you switch plan managers mid-plan, the new provider can charge the setup fee again.

A reputable plan manager should process invoices within three to five business days and give you access to an online portal where you can see your remaining budget in real time. Some providers offer mobile apps that make tracking even more convenient. Slow payment is the most common complaint participants have about plan managers — it damages your relationship with providers, so payment speed is worth asking about upfront.

One major advantage of plan management is that it opens up access to both registered and unregistered NDIS providers. If you’re Agency-managed, you can only use registered providers, which limits your options. Plan management gives you the flexibility of self-management without the administrative burden of lodging claims yourself.

When comparing plan managers, ask about their reporting frequency, what format their statements come in, whether they flag budget risks early, and how they handle provider disputes. Some plan managers also offer informal support coordination — helping you find providers — though this varies and isn’t funded separately. The best plan managers are invisible most of the time and only make themselves known when you need them.

What to ask before choosing an NDIS provider

Before signing a service agreement with any NDIS provider, including Better Planning, it’s worth having a conversation about a few key things. What are the hourly rates, including loadings for evenings, weekends and public holidays? What cancellation fees apply, and what notice period do they require? Who will your regular support worker or practitioner be, and what happens if they’re sick or on leave? How does the provider handle complaints? These questions are standard — any reputable provider will have clear answers.

If Better Planning is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, they’re bound by the NDIS Code of Conduct and must meet service standards audited by approved quality auditors. This covers everything from worker screening to incident reporting. Unregistered providers can still be used by plan-managed and self-managed participants but aren’t subject to the same oversight.

It’s also worth understanding your service agreement before you sign it. The agreement should clearly state the supports being delivered, the price per hour or unit, any cancellation policy, how travel charges are handled, and how either party can end the agreement. Under the NDIS, you can usually change providers, subject to the notice and cancellation terms in your service agreement. If a provider’s service agreement doesn’t include a reasonable exit clause, that’s worth questioning.

If you’re unsure about any aspect of choosing a provider, your support coordinator or local area coordinator (LAC) can help. They can explain what to look for, accompany you to initial meetings, and assist with setting up service agreements that protect your interests. Keeping records of your interactions with providers — save invoices, note key conversations, and track whether the services delivered match what was agreed — will make plan reviews smoother and provide evidence if you ever need to raise a complaint.

NDIS supports in Illawarra Shoalhaven

The Illawarra Shoalhaven service district covers 115+ suburbs and hosts 407+ registered NDIS providers. Participants in this area typically access services in their local community, though many providers including Better Planning travel to clients at home. Travel charges under the NDIS are capped and must be agreed in your service agreement before work begins.

Most participants in Illawarra Shoalhaven access a mix of services — commonly transport, support worker and sda. Whether you’re looking for ongoing support or need a specific assessment, comparing providers in your area is the best way to find the right fit for your goals and circumstances.