One of the biggest practical changes in the NDIA’s new PACE system is how your funding is structured. If you’ve moved to PACE and your plan looks different to what you expected, here’s why — and how to use it to your advantage.
Information current as of May 2024. This article is general information only — not NDIS, legal, or financial advice.
From line items to categories
Under the old myplace system, your plan listed individual funding amounts for specific supports — for example, “$3,200 for Speech Therapy” or “$8,750 for Support Coordination.” These were hard limits on each individual support type.
Under PACE, funding is grouped at the support category level. Your plan might show:
- Improved Daily Living: $12,400
- Support Coordination: $4,000
Within each category, you have more flexibility about which specific supports to use, as long as they fall within that category.
What this means in practice
More choice within categories. If your Improved Daily Living budget was previously split between OT and speech therapy, PACE gives you more room to direct that funding based on your current needs.
Clearer overall picture. A single total shows you exactly how much is in your plan at a glance.
Providers claim directly. Without service bookings, providers can claim against your budget as services are delivered. This means it’s more important than ever to keep track of your spending.
Tips for managing your PACE budget
- Check your balance regularly via the my NDIS app or portal
- Talk to your Support Coordinator — they can monitor your spending across categories and flag when a category is running low
- Understand each category — spending outside a category’s scope is not permitted even if another category has a surplus
- Don’t wait until your plan is almost exhausted — contact your coordinator early if you think you’re underspending or at risk of running out
Need help?
Your Support Coordinator’s job is to help you understand and make the most of your plan. If the new PACE format is confusing, get in touch — we’re here to walk you through it.
Source: NDIS — Understanding your PACE plan
General information only
This article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute NDIS, legal, or financial advice. NDIS rules and supports vary by individual plan. For advice specific to your situation, speak with your Support Coordinator or contact the NDIA directly at ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.