Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What therapies will the NDIS fund?
- When therapy supports are considered “reasonable and necessary”
- The difference between therapy and clinical health supports
- How alternative therapies fit under NDIS rules
- How Plan Hero can make therapy funding easier
If you’re trying to work out which therapies the NDIS will fund, you’re not alone!
Therapies are funded under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living and Improved Health and Wellbeing categories in your plan. These supports help you:
- build independence,
- learn new skills, and
- improve your everyday living
At Plan Hero, we help you understand which services fit within your plan and how to pay for them.
Here’s your ultimate guide as to what the NDIS will fund for therapy:
What therapies will the NDIS fund?
The NDIS will fund supports that are:
- directly related to your disability and
- that help you achieve your plan goals.
And the NDIA uses uses its measurement of reasonable and necessary to determine whether it will fund a support.
According to the NDIS, therapy supports sit within the registration group: 0128 Therapeutic Supports and are usually claimed under the “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living” support category.
“Clinical supports” relate to supports like swallowing therapy, behaviour support, or continence management, and can also be funded under Disability-Related Health Supports.
The NDIS will NOT fund therapy that is:
- Primarily medical or health treatment
- Available through Medicare or the public health system
- Not evidence-based or recognised as disability-related support
Will the NDIS fund Physiotherapy?
Yes, physiotherapy is funded if it helps you manage the effects of your disability. This might include improving strength, movement, posture, or mobility.
Examples include physiotherapy for:
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Autism (for movement or sensory regulation)
- Recovery after brain or spinal injury
Physiotherapy for general fitness, injury recovery, or medical rehabilitation after surgery is usually not funded, as those are considered health services rather than disability supports.
Will the NDIS fund Occupational Therapy?
Yes, Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of the most common funded supports.An OT helps people develop or regain skills for everyday activities like dressing, eating, writing, or using assistive technology.
NDIS-funded OT can also include:
- home safety assessments,
- functional capacity reports, or
- recommendations for equipment and home modifications.
NOTE: The NDIS won’t fund OT for workplace rehabilitation or ergonomic assessments for employment. Those are generally considered the responsibility of employers or health services.
Will the NDIS fund Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy (also known as Speech Pathology) is often funded when it helps with:
- communication,
- language
- development,
- swallowing, or social interaction skills.
Funding for Speech Therapy is especially common in plans for children with developmental delays or autism, and for adults after brain injury or neurological conditions.
NOTE: The NDIS does not fund speech therapy for purely educational purposes, like improving literacy or pronunciation for school performance — those are considered part of the education system.
Will the NDIS fund Psychology or Counselling?
Psychology and counselling can be funded when the therapy helps you build functional skills or manage behaviour related to your disability.
This may include:
- Emotional regulation and anxiety management
- Social skills development
- Adjusting to life changes caused by disability
- Carer or family training to support behaviour management
NOTE: Therapy for general mental health treatment, trauma, or medical psychiatric care is generally NOT funded by the NDIS, as those are covered by Medicare and state health services.
Will the NDIS fund Behaviour Support?
Yes, behaviour support is funded in the “Improved Relationships” category and must be delivered by a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner registered under group 0110 Specialist Positive Behaviour Support.
This type of support helps reduce behaviours of concern and improve quality of life.
It can include
- behaviour assessments,
- behaviour support plans, and
- training for families or support workers.
The NDIS won’t fund restrictive practices or interventions outside approved behaviour support plans.
Will the NDIS fund Music Therapy?
Music therapy may be funded if it’s evidence-based and directly helps you achieve NDIS goals such as communication, emotional regulation, or social participation.
NOTE: The therapist must be a registered allied health professional, not just a musician or
NOTE: Music lessons or recreational singing sessions, even if therapeutic in nature, are usually not funded because they’re considered lifestyle or leisure activities rather than disability supports.
Will the NDIS fund Art Therapy?
Art therapy must be delivered by a qualified art therapist or allied health professional.
NDIS is more likely to fund art therapy if it is used to:
- Build communication or emotional skills
- Support sensory regulation
- Improve daily living outcomes
Art for recreation, social connection or enjoyment (like community art classes) is not typically funded.
Will the NDIS fund Exercise Physiology?
Yes, exercise physiology can be funded under “Improved Health and Wellbeing” when it helps you improve function, mobility, or independence related to your disability.
For example:
- Building strength and stamina for mobility aids
- Improving movement patterns in autism or cerebral palsy
- Supporting healthy weight management for people with limited movement
NOTE: the cost of a gym membership is not funded. Personal training is funded when specifically part of a program designed and supervised by a registered exercise physiologist for disability outcomes.
Will the NDIS fund a Dietician or Nutritionist?
Yes, dietitian supports can be funded where dietary intervention is required to support disability needs, for example:
- Managing swallowing difficulties
- Tube feeding and PEG nutrition
- Sensory-related food issues
- Meal planning linked to behaviour or medication side effects
A nutritionist is not always recognised under NDIS pricing rules unless they are an accredited dietitian.
NOTE: General wellness or weight-loss plans are not typically funded.
Will the NDIS fund Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is generally funded when prescribed and delivered by a qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
The therapy must target disability-related mobility or pain issues. The NDIS won’t cover the cost of pool entry or leisure swimming, as that’s considered a personal or recreational expense.
Will the NDIS fund Alternative Therapies?
The NDIS does not fund alternative or complementary therapies that are not evidence–based.
According to the official “Supports that are not NDIS supports list”, the following are excluded:
- Reflexology
- Aromatherapy
- Crystal, sound or energy healing
- Yoga therapy or wilderness therapy
- Cuddle therapy, shamanic healing, or Reiki
These are seen as wellness or lifestyle choices, not disability-related interventions.
Funding may be possible in rare cases if a therapy has strong evidence of benefit for your specific disability and is recommended by a qualified professional as part of your NDIS plan goals.
Will the NDIS fund Animal-Assisted Therapy?
“Animal therapy” such as puppy therapy or goat therapy is not considered an NDIS support.
However therapy that includes the use of an animal and is delivered by a qualified allied health professional (therapist) is funded. Examples may include Equine therapy.
Assistance Animals (like guide dogs or service dogs) are a different category and can be funded under strict eligibility rules.
If an animal is professionally trained and accredited to assist with daily tasks, safety, or communication, the costs for training, vet care and maintenance may be funded under the Assistance Animals category.
How the NDIS Decides if a therapy or clinical support is funded
The NDIS uses 3 main principles when deciding if a therapy or clinical support is fundable:
- It must be directly related to your disability — not general health care.
- It must be effective and evidence-based — supported by research and clinical guidelines.
- It must represent value for money — compared to other ways of achieving the same goal.
Supports must also help you pursue your goals and increase independence, social participation, or overall wellbeing.
How Plan Hero Can Help You
We know that reading through NDIS rules and price limits can be overwhelming. Every week, we help parents and participants understand what therapies they can use their funding for BEFORE they get stuck with out of pocket expenses by using a therapy the NDIS won’t pay for.
As your Plan Manager, Plan Hero:
- Shows you where to check if your therapy is a stated support or flexible (this is very important)
- Check your therapy invoices to make sure they meet NDIS claiming rules – and help providers get it right!
- Makes sure provider prices are within official NDIS price limits
- Tracks your therapy budget so you know what’s left
- Explains what’s reasonable and necessary for your specific goals
You’ll always deal with one dedicated Plan Manager who knows you and your family and your funding needs.
If you’re unsure whether a therapy or support is covered, our team can help you check the right support category and funding rules before you book the session.
References:
- NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26
- Supports that are NDIS supports
- Supports that are not NDIS supports
