Occupational therapists, often called OTs, are one of the allied health professionals commonly used by NDIS participants.
But if you have never worked with an OT before, it may not be obvious what they actually do.
Occupational therapy is about:
- helping people take part in everyday activities and
- become more independent.
For one person, that might mean learning to prepare meals independently. For someone else, it could mean finding equipment that makes showering safer, improving access around the home or building skills needed to participate at school or in the community.
What is occupational therapy?
The word “occupation” can be confusing because it sounds like occupational therapy is only about work.
It actually refers to the everyday activities that a person needs or wants to do.
This may include:
getting dressed
showering
preparing food
cleaning
going to school
working
getting around the community
playing
socialising
completing household tasks
managing routines.
An occupational therapist looks at:
- what the person is trying to do,
- what is making it difficult and
- what could help.
That may involve:
- building new skills,
- changing the way an activity is completed,
- changing the environment or
- introducing equipment.
What can an NDIS occupational therapist help with?
The support an OT provides depends on:
- the participant and
- their goals.
Some common areas include the following.
Daily living skills
An OT can help a person build skills for everyday activities.
This may include:
dressing
showering
cooking
shopping
cleaning
managing routines
completing household tasks.
The aim is often to help the participant do more for themselves or find a safer and easier way to complete an activity.
Functional Capacity Assessments
An occupational therapist may complete a Functional Capacity Assessment, often called an FCA.
An FCA looks at how a person’s disability affects their everyday life.
The OT may assess areas such as:
mobility
personal care
communication
household tasks
learning
social interaction
work or education
community participation.
The OT may then prepare a report explaining the person’s functional capacity, support needs and recommendations.
Assistive technology and equipment
An occupational therapist can assess whether equipment may help someone complete an activity more safely or independently.
This can include things such as:
bathroom equipment
shower chairs
seating
mobility equipment
specialised beds
daily living aids
other assistive technology.
The OT looks at the person’s needs and how the equipment would be used in everyday life.
Home modifications
An OT may also assess a participant’s home where the environment is making everyday activities difficult or unsafe.
They may recommend changes that improve accessibility, safety or independence.
This can include changes to bathrooms, entrances, access around the home or other areas that are difficult for the participant to use.
Sensory support
Some occupational therapists work with people who have sensory processing needs.
This might involve:
- understanding sensory triggers,
- finding strategies that help with regulation and
- making changes to routines or environments.
Occupational therapy for children
Paediatric OTs work with children and young people across a wide range of areas.
This may include:
fine motor skills
handwriting
play
dressing
feeding
sensory processing
routines
school participation
independence with everyday activities.
The type of support will depend on the child and what they are finding difficult.
School, work and community participation
An OT can also help identify barriers that make it harder for someone to participate at school, work or in the community.
They may work with the participant to:
- develop strategies,
- build skills or
- change parts of the environment.
The goal is to make participation easier and more manageable.
Can the NDIS fund occupational therapy?
The NDIS can fund occupational therapy where it relates to a participant’s disability and meets the NDIS funding criteria.
Whether a particular OT service can be paid from your NDIS plan will depend on your plan, your funding and what the service is for.
If your NDIS plan is managed by Plan Hero and you are unsure whether an OT service can be paid from your funding, the Plan Hero team can help you understand the payment side before you start.
How often would I see an occupational therapist?
Some people may see an OT regularly over a period of time. Others may only need an OT for a particular assessment, report or piece of equipment.
So, how often you see an OT may depend on:
what you need help with
your goals
your available funding (usually this)
whether an assessment is required
the OT’s recommendation
how much support you need between appointments.
You can use our Free NDIS Budget Calculator to work out how many hours your NDIS funding will allow. Just put in your total funding, period of plan/funding period and work out how many hours you can get. It uses the latest NDIS prices.
Do occupational therapists write NDIS reports?
Yes. OTs often prepare reports for NDIS participants.
This may include reports following a Functional Capacity Assessment or reports relating to assistive technology, home modifications or other support needs.
Before asking an OT to prepare a report, check:
what the report is for
how long it will take
how much it will cost
what information will be included.
Report writing can take several hours, so it is useful to understand the cost before agreeing to it.
Do I need a referral to see an OT?
You do not need a GP referral simply to find and engage an occupational therapist using appropriate NDIS funding.
You should still make sure the service is appropriate for your needs and can be paid from your plan before you start.
Can an OT see me using telehealth?
Some occupational therapy can be provided through telehealth.
This usually means meeting with the OT by video call rather than attending a clinic or having the therapist visit your home.
Telehealth can be a useful way to get started, particularly if local providers have long waiting lists.
Plan Hero partners with MyCareSpace, whose team can talk you through what occupational therapy through telehealth looks like and whether it may suit what you need.
If you are ready to start looking, read our guide on how to find an NDIS occupational therapist near you.
Plan Hero also partners with MyCareSpace, which can help participants and families look for OTs with suitable experience and availability.
How does Plan Hero pay for occupational therapy?
If your NDIS plan is plan managed by Plan Hero, your occupational therapist can send their invoice directly to Plan Hero.
Plan Hero checks the invoice against your plan and available funding, processes the claim and arranges payment to your provider.
This means you do not need to manage the provider payment yourself.
If you are unsure whether a particular occupational therapy service can be paid from your plan, contact the Plan Hero team before starting the service.
How much is OT per hour?
You can use our NDIS NDIS Price Search Tool to find the latest cost of OT per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main role of an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapist helps people take part in everyday activities and become more independent.
They look at what the person wants or needs to do, what is making it difficult and what support, skills, equipment or changes may help.
What can an OT help an NDIS participant with?
An OT may help with daily living skills, personal care, household tasks, mobility, sensory needs, assistive technology, home modifications, school, work and community participation.
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment looks at how a person’s disability affects their ability to complete everyday activities.
An OT may assess different areas of functioning and prepare a report outlining support needs and recommendations.
Can an OT recommend equipment?
Yes. An OT can assess whether equipment or assistive technology may improve a person’s safety, independence or ability to complete everyday activities.
Can an OT recommend home modifications?
Yes. An OT may assess a participant’s home and recommend modifications where changes could improve accessibility, safety or independence.
Do OTs work with children?
Yes. Paediatric occupational therapists work with children and young people.
They may help with areas such as fine motor skills, self-care, play, sensory processing, handwriting, school participation and daily routines.
Can I see an OT through telehealth?
Some occupational therapy services can be delivered through telehealth.
Whether it is suitable will depend on the person and the type of support required.
Does the NDIS pay for an OT?
The NDIS can fund occupational therapy where the service relates to the participant’s disability and meets the NDIS funding criteria.
Do I need a GP referral for an NDIS OT?
You generally do not need a GP referral simply to engage an occupational therapist using appropriate NDIS funding.
How do I find an OT near me?
You can search for local providers or use a provider connection service.
Plan Hero partners with MyCareSpace, which can help you look for OTs based on your needs, location and current availability.
