How does the NDIS fund therapies?

The NDIS may fund for therapies under three seperate categories of your NDIS plan:

Improved Daily Living – Also known as CB Daily Activity
Improved Relationships – Also known as CB Relationships
Improved Health & Wellbeing – Also known as CB Health & Wellbeing

Can I access ANY therapy I want?

At the end of the day, the therapy supports you engage with must be evidence-based and related to your disability, in order for the NDIS to deem it reasonable. If you wish to access therapies for health-related issues this would be funded by the health department such as medicare.

Certain therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractics, myopathy if reasonable will require approval from your LAC in writing in order to use your NDIS funds.

For example, if your child with Autism is engaging with a podiatrist for gait related issues, the NDIS would only consider funding this if the gait related issued was caused by their disability. You can read more about disability-related health supports HERE

Improved Daily Living Funding

This is the most commonly funded category for funding to help increase your skills, independence and community participation. These services can be delivered in groups or individually. This can include a number of assessment, training or therapy for a number of supports including but not limited to:

Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Psychology
Physiotherapy
Exercise Physiology
Counselling
Developmental Educator
Rehabilitation Counsellor

For children under 9 years of age, this may also Early Childhood Professionals such as include:

Developmental Educator
Early Childhood Teacher or Educator
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
Speech Pathologist
Other Professional

Improved Relationships

This funding category is aimed at developing positive behaviours and interact with others, and is usually funded for participants who may have complex or unclear needs, that require long term or intensive supports to address behaviours of concern.

These supports must be provided by a trained professional who follows the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework, these supports may include:

Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support
Behaviour Management Plan Including Training in these Behaviour Management Strategies
Individual Social Skills Development

Improved Health & Wellbeing

This funding category includes exercise or diet advice to manage the impact of your disability. Your goal might be to learn about healthy eating and managing your diet, engaging in a specialised exercise program to meet your goals or returning to exercise following injury

The type of therapy supports that fall under this category include a:

Dietitian
Exercise Physiologist
Personal Training

How can I find a therapist?

There are several people you can go to for help finding a therapist, and the best place to start is with a trusted source who knows about supports in your local area. You can try talking to your

MyCareSpace is a FREE Community Service who can help you find the perfect services in your area
LAC/NDIS Planner: Ask your planner if they have any recommendations of therapist in your area
Support Coordinator: If you have support coordination in your plan, your Support Coordinator (SC) can help you find the right services
Family & Friends: Word of mouth is always a great way to find a therapist that’s right for you
NDIS Provider Finder

How does the NDIS fund therapies?

Can I access ANY therapy I want?

Improved Daily Living Funding

Improved Relationships

Improved Health & Wellbeing

How can I find a therapist?

Use our PROVIDER FINDER to search local providers in your area

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