What is the NDIS Pricing Review? 

The Annual Pricing Review is when the NDIA looks at how much NDIS services should cost. They check things like:

• Changes in wages
• Increases in prices (inflation)
• What it costs providers to do their jobs

Then, they decide if the maximum prices for NDIS services (like therapy or support work) should go up, down, or stay the same.

This helps make sure:

• People with NDIS plans get good value
• Providers are paid fairly
• The system keeps working well

Now, the NDIA wants to stop doing this big review every year and instead review different services one at a time over a few years. This will make the process more focused and planned.

• NDIA will introduce a 3-year pricing work plan with targeted reviews (not annual full reviews).
• Pricing updates will be released earlier in the financial year to support provider planning.

What changes did the NDIS announce from 1 July?

Nursing:

• Nursing price limits will increase in line with Wage Price Index (80%) and CPI (20%).

Disability Support Workers:

• Prices will be increased based on minimum wage and superannuation increases.

Therapy Supports:

• A full review of therapy pricing will be undertaken to assess existing price limits and help guide the move from one-size-fits-all pricing towards the differentiated pricing approach outlined in the Independent Pricing Committee’s report.

  It will consider factors such as practitioner qualifications, workforce availability, service settings, regulatory obligations, and the nature of participant outcomes achieved.

  It will be informed by sector consultations and analysis of provider and market data.

  The review will ensure pricing continues to support participant outcomes, provider sustainability, and service quality.
   

• Price limits will be set in 10-minute blocks to allow more flexibility. This is intended to encourage greater flexibility in billing and service delivery.
  It aims to clarify that 1 hour is not a ‘default’ or ‘expected’ service length, and that the length of service can vary depending on the agreement between the participant and provider, based on individual needs and circumstances.
   
• Travel claims for therapy will be capped at 50% of the 10-minute rate to encourage more efficient scheduling by providers and provide clear cost expectations for participants to help them get better value from their funding. 

  Providers can still charge for non labour costs such as tolls and vehicle wear and tear, which remains unchanged.

Physiotherapists:

• A national price of $183.99/hr will replace state-based pricing, with some jurisdictions seeing a net $40.06 reduction. 

Psychologists:

• A national price of $232.99/hr will apply, with a $10 increase. Some jurisdictions will see a net reduction of $11.23 due to removed loadings.

Dietitians & Podiatrists:

• National prices will decrease by $5 to $188.99/hr.

Support Coordinators:

• Level 1 and Psychosocial Recovery Coach prices will be indexed with DSW rates.
   
• Level 2 and 3 price limits will remain unchanged.

Plan Managers:

• Monthly fee stays at $104.45.
   
• The setup fee and remote loadings will be removed.

What does this mean for Participants?

There is no change to Participant NDIS plans as a result of price decreases - when you get a new plan, it will be created at the new rates.

As much as the NDIS says these changes shouldnt affect supply of services, this may not be the case in some areas.