In your NDIS plan, you can access a broad range of supports and services to help you in your day to day life and build your skills.
Supports can span from self-care assistance, transportation, assistive technology and day programs... just to name a few!
Allied health services are also supports funded by the NDIS.
What is an allied health professional?
An allied health professional is a qualified therapist working in their field of practice.
A therapist is a university-qualified practitioner with specialised expertise in completing assessment and intervention/treatment for a range of conditions and illnesses.
A therapist can also be referred to as a:
- Allied health professional
- Allied health practitioner
- Allied health provider
These terms are interchangeable so don’t worry about getting it wrong!
Learn more about Allied Health from the Allied Health Professions Australia.
Who can be a therapist?
A therapist working in the NDIS may be a:
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Speech Pathologist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Dietitian
- Psychologist
- Music Therapist
- Key Worker
- Podiatrist
- Orthoptist
- Social Worker
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
Decoding the Role of the Therapist
If you have never worked with a therapist before, knowing how each therapist can help you can be overwhelming.
A therapist working in the NDIS may work across the following practice areas:
- Physical Disability
- Neurological Disability
- Intellectual Disability / Cognitive Impairment
- Psychosocial Disability / Mental Health
- Neurodiverse population, i.e. diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD
Below is an overview of the more commonly seen therapists working in the NDIS.
Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist, often abbreviated to OT, works with you to enhance your engagement and participation in day to day life.
An Occupational Therapist can complete the following:
- Functional Capacity Assessment
- Therapy and Skill Development - described by the NDIA as Capacity Building
- Assistive Technology Prescription
- Manual Handling Plan
- Upper Limb Therapy
- Home Modifications Assessment and Recommendations, including scope of works (i.e. diagrams)
- Driving Assessment and prescription of Vehicle Modifications
- Housing Needs Assessment, including assessments for SIL, SDA and ILO
An Occupational Therapist takes a holistic approach when working with you to address your goals.
This means they consider all the factors that impact your life and develop strategies with you to improve your independence, autonomy and safety.
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SPOTLIGHT: Functional Capacity Assessment You may have heard this term before in planning meetings or mentioned by other providers. A Functional Capacity Assessment is an in-depth assessment completed by an Occupational Therapist which addresses every aspect of your day to day life. A report is typically completed following the assessment which outlines your daily life, difficulties experienced related to your disability and includes recommendations for NDIS supports and services you required to address any challenges and goals you wish to achieve. Keep an eye out for an upcoming resource that unpacks what is involved in this highly sought-after assessment… |
View the Occupational Therapy Australia website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect with an OT, ask the MyCareSpace connections team to find you an Occupational Therapist with availability today.
Physiotherapist
A Physiotherapist is often abbreviated to Physio, or sometimes PT (not to be confused with Personal Trainer).
A Physiotherapist works with participants with a range of physical conditions with a focus on:
- Mobility
- Balance
- Movement
- Posture
- Strength
- Coordination
- Management of chronic conditions
Physiotherapists work with participants to improve their physical capacity and manage pain.
Physiotherapists are qualified to prescribe assistive technology to assist with your mobility. A Respiratory Physiotherapist is a specialist within the profession who may prescribe respiratory devices.
View the Australian Physiotherapy Association website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect with a Physio, ask the MyCareSpace Connections team to find you a Physio with availability.
Speech Pathologist
A Speech Pathologist is often referred to as a Speech Therapist, SP or even Speechie.
Speech Pathologists address communication skills. Due to your disability, you may have difficulties with:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Understanding language
- Reading
- Writing
- Social skills
- Stuttering
- Using voice
A Speech Pathologist works to increase your skills across these areas to increase your capacity to communicate effectively with others. This may involve the use of Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC). Find out more about AAC here.
A Speech Pathologist also plays a role in supporting difficulties with swallowing food and fluids.
View the Speech Pathology Australia website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect with a Speechie, ask the MyCareSpace Connections Team to find you a Speech Pathologist with availability.
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Physiology is commonly abbreviated to EP. It is not to be confused with Physiotherapy - these are different qualifications!
Exercise Physiologists focus on exercise-based interventions to promote health and well-being. Areas addressed may include:
- Aerobic fitness
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
The overall goal is to prescribe exercises that can be incorporated into your weekly routine to achieve your desired outcomes and goals.
View the Exercise and Sport Science Australia website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect with an EP, let the MyCareSpace Connections Team connect you with an Exercise Physiologist today.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Behaviour Support Practitioners (BSP) can also be referred to as Positive Behavioural Supports (PBS).
A Behaviour Support Practitioner works closely with you and your support team, often involving family and support workers, to focus on your quality of life by promoting positive behaviours and reducing behaviours of concern.
A Behavioural Support Plan is developed by a Behaviour Support Practitioner to act as a guide for those supporting an individual who demonstrates behaviours of concern. It outlines how to promote positive behaviours, reduce triggers and respond when a challenging behaviour has occurred.
View the Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect with a BSP, let the MyCareSpace Connections Team connect you with a Behaviour Support Practitioner with availability. Learn How to get Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) in my NDIS Plan here.
Dietitian
If you need help to manage your nutrition because of your disability, the NDIS can fund a Dietitian.
A Dietitian can be involved to create a nutritional meal plan, and provide training and education to yourself, family and carers.
Dietitians are also involved in prescribing and implementing Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding. These are alternative feeding strategies that may be required due to a disability or disability-related health condition.
View the Dietitians Australia website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect, let the MyCareSpace Connections Team connect you with a Dietitian with availability.
Psychologist
Psychologists working in the NDIS provide specialised assessment, treatment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. You can access a psychologist if you are diagnosed with a psychosocial disability, or if psychology services are needed to improve daily living skills.
Psychologists can seek to support your emotional and psychological well-being, as well as address social skills and behavioural management strategies.
View the Australian Psychology Association website for further information about the profession.
When you’re ready to connect, let the MyCareSpace Connections Team connect you with a Psychologist with availability.
Where can I receive therapy?
Therapy can be completed at a clinic space if your therapist has one for you to visit.
Therapy can also be provided in your home.
IMPORTANT: Remember to discuss travel costs with your therapist to ensure this is accounted for when budgeting for your services. Travel costs should be outlined in the providers service agreement.
Therapy can also sometimes occur in the community. For example, travel training with an Occupational Therapist may involve catching public transport together to develop your skills. Ordering a coffee at your local cafe with a Speech Pathologist may be required to address your communication-related goals.
How do I access funding for a therapist?
Funding for the therapy services may be included in your NDIS plan already. Below is a breakdown of some of the common therapy services funded by the NDIS:
| Therapist | Budget | Line Item Code | Category |
| Occupational Therapist | Improved Daily Living Skills | 15_617_0128_1_3 | Capacity Building |
| Physiotherapist | Improved Daily Living Skills | 15_055_0128_1_3 | Capacity Building |
| Speech Pathologist | Improved Daily Living Skills | 15_622_0128_1_3 | Capacity Building |
| Exercise Physiologist |
Improved Health and Wellbeing OR Improved Daily Living Skills |
12_027_0126_3_3 12_027_0128_3_3 15_609_0118_1_3 |
Capacity Building |
| Behaviour Support Practitioner | Improved Daily Living Skills |
11_022_0110_7_3 11_023_0110_7_3 |
Capacity Building |
| Dietitian |
Improved Health and Wellbeing OR Improved Daily Living Skills OR Assistance with Daily Life (for Disability-Related Health Supports) |
01_760_0128_3_3
12_025_0128_3_3
15_062_0128_3_3
|
Capacity Building OR Core Supports (for Disability-Related Health Supports)
|
| Psychologist | Improved Daily Living Skills | 15_054_0128_1_3 | Capacity Building |
Access the Easy to Read NDIS Price List to search for NDIS prices from the latest NDIS price list.
How do I get in touch with a therapist?
When you’re ready to connect, let the MyCareSpace Connections Team connect you with a therapist with availability.
For further support, get in touch with our Connections Team online or by phone 1300 288 893.
If you have a Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator, they may be able to direct you to local allied health providers to access therapy services.
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