NDIS Therapy Supports: What Can Be Funded?
When it comes to therapies, you may want to think outside the box.
While therapies such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Psychology are commonly funded under the NDIS, the scheme may also fund a number of other evidence-based allied health therapies, including:
- Sand therapy (certificate in sand play therapy)
- Play therapy (intensive training and postgraduate tertiary qualification)
- Animal-assisted therapy (e.g. equine or canine therapy)
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Behaviour therapy (ABA)
- Exercise Physiology
- Physiotherapy
- Counselling
- Orthoptics
- Podiatry
- Developmental Education
Can I Access Any Therapy I Want?
At the end of the day, the therapies you engage with must be evidence-based and related to your disability in order for the NDIS to consider them reasonable and necessary.
If you wish to access therapies for general health-related issues, these would typically be funded through the health system (for example, Medicare), not the NDIS.
Certain therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic or myotherapy may require written approval from your LAC before you can use NDIS funding for them.
For example, if a child with Autism engages with a podiatrist for gait-related issues, the NDIS would only consider funding this if the gait issue is directly caused by their disability.
You can read more about disability-related health supports HERE.
How Does the NDIS Fund Therapies?
To request funding for a specific therapy, you must demonstrate that it is reasonable and necessary.
This means there must be evidence-based outcomes showing that the therapy will:
- Support you to pursue your NDIS goals
- Increase your independence
- Improve your functional capacity
Not sure whether therapy funding is included in your plan?
Head to our resource: How Does the NDIS Fund Therapies? to learn more about the funding categories therapy may fall under.
Who Can Provide These Therapies?
Your therapist must be appropriately qualified and registered in the specific therapy they provide.
For example, music therapy must be delivered by a trained and accredited music therapist specialising in therapeutic music interventions.
CLICK HERE to find a therapy provider in your area.
What Goals Allow You to Access These Therapies?
To use NDIS funding for therapy supports, the therapy must align with the goals outlined in your NDIS plan and meet the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary criteria.
Here are some common broad goals that can support access to various therapy services:
- Improving communication (verbal and non-verbal)
- Expressing emotions and managing complex feelings
- Increasing social skills (eye contact, turn-taking, initiating interaction, building self-esteem)
- Improving cognitive skills (concentration, attention, sequencing, imitation)
- Enhancing fine motor skills, strength and balance
- Developing self-awareness and confidence
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Managing behaviours and symptoms
- Problem-solving and flexible thinking
I Need Help Finding Therapy Supports
If you are unsure where to start, there are several ways to find the right therapist:
- LAC or NDIS Planner: Ask your planner for recommendations in your area.
- Support Coordinator: If you have Support Coordination included in your plan, your Support Coordinator can help you identify suitable services.
- Family and Friends: Word of mouth can be a powerful way to find trusted therapists.
- Service Directories: We have partnered with a free community service called MyCareSpace, which can help you find providers in your area.
CLICK HERE to find a therapy provider near you.
Sources
- Positive Psychology – What Are the Benefits of Music Therapy
- Art Therapy for Mental Health Recovery
- Sandplay Therapy Research
- Animal Assisted Therapy in Australia
