At a glance
- NDIS funding can cover physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, positive behaviour support and dietetics.
- Most allied health services sit under the Improved Daily Living funding category in an NDIS plan.
- You can access support in clinic, at home, or through online sessions, depending on what suits you.
- If you’re not sure what your plan covers, your plan manager, LAC or the NDIS can confirm this for you.
If you’re an NDIS participant, or supporting someone who is, allied health services can play a real part in daily life. This covers things like moving more comfortably, communicating more easily, or managing everyday tasks with more independence. This post walks through the main allied health services available under the NDIS, what each one can help with, and how to start accessing them.
What allied health services can I access with my NDIS plan?
NDIS funding can be used across a range of allied health services, depending on what’s included in your plan and your individual goals. These commonly include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, positive behaviour support and dietetics.
Each service addresses different areas of daily life, and many participants use a combination of these based on what they’re working towards.
Humanity Allied Health is a registered NDIS provider, offering all of the services covered in this guide under one team. This includes physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, positive behaviour support, counselling and dietitian services. We also carry out assessments in house, so you can access assessment and ongoing support through the same team if needed.
Humanity Allied Health works closely with care coordinators, support coordinators, case managers and NDIS coordinators across Australia. NDIS support coordinators are professionals who help participants choose providers and connect with services. Allied health providers like Humanity Allied Health then deliver the therapy services NDIS participants need.
Allied health services cover a range of health professions that support people’s physical, developmental and psychological wellbeing, separate from medicine and nursing. This includes therapies like occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology, dietetics and exercise physiology.
These are the allied health services we provide:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy supports movement, mobility and pain management. A physiotherapist works with you to build a plan around your specific goals, whether that’s something in your NDIS plan or a personal goal you’ve set for yourself.
Physiotherapy can help with:
- Pain management techniques
- Functional movement, such as walking, climbing stairs or standing
- Balance and coordination
- Preventing injury and supporting recovery
Exercise physiology
Exercise physiology uses exercise based programs to support health, strength and function over time. An exercise physiologist works with you to build a program suited to your condition and goals.
Exercise physiology can help with:
– Supporting overall physical wellbeing
– Strength and stamina
– Structured, goal based exercise programs
– Managing symptoms related to a health condition or disability
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on helping you manage everyday tasks more comfortably, whether that’s personal care, cooking, dressing or hobbies. An OT can also carry out functional assessments to help identify the right assistive technology, home modifications or accommodation supports for your situation.
Occupational therapy can help with:
- Strategies for daily living activities
- Fine motor skills, such as writing or handling objects
- Recommendations for assistive devices or home modifications
- Support with memory, attention or problem solving
If home modifications are something you’re considering, an OT can assess your home and suggest changes that make it safer and easier to move around in.
Speech pathology
Speech pathologists (speech therapists) support people with communication and swallowing needs. This can be relevant for a range of conditions, including stroke, cerebral palsy, autism or neurological conditions.
Speech pathology support can include:
- Assessments to understand what’s affecting speech or language
- Work on speech clarity and articulation
- Strategies for communication, including alternative communication devices
- Support with language comprehension and expression
- Support with swallowing and feeding
Psychology
Mental health and emotional wellbeing matter alongside physical health. Our team of psychologists supports people experiencing mental health challenges connected to disability, including psychosocial disability.
Psychology support can include:
- Strategies for managing stress, anxiety or low mood
- Working through emotional challenges connected to disability
- Support to build confidence and resilience
- Cognitive rehabilitation support
Positive behaviour support
Positive behaviour support focuses on understanding behaviours of concern and building strategies around them, in a way that supports quality of life and reduces reliance on restrictive practices.
Positive behaviour support can include:
- Developing a behaviour support plan tailored to the person
- Working with families and carers on consistent strategies
- Identifying triggers and adjusting environments or routines
- Working alongside other supports, such as psychology or OT, where relevant
Dietetic support
Dietitians support informed choices around food and nutrition, particularly where dietary needs connect to a disability or health condition.
Dietetic support can include:
- Diet plans built around your circumstances
- Support managing therapeutic diets
- Guidance on healthy eating habits
Assistive technology and equipment
Assistive technology (AT) can be funded through the NDIS to support independence and everyday life. This might include:
- Wheelchairs, walkers or scooters
- Communication devices, including speech generating devices
- Tools to support daily routines
- Home modifications such as ramps, rails or bathroom aids
- Vehicle modifications
An occupational therapist can carry out an assessment to help identify which assistive technology fits your needs.
What is Improved Daily Living funding, and do I need it?
Improved Daily Living is the NDIS funding category most commonly used to access allied health services. If you’re not sure whether your plan includes this funding, you can check with the NDIS, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or your plan manager.
What if I don’t have NDIS funding yet?
If you don’t currently have NDIS funding, you can still access allied health support. Options include private payment, and in some cases an assessment may support an application to access the scheme.
How is allied health support delivered?
Support can be delivered in a way that suits you, including in clinic, at your home, or through online sessions. This flexibility can make it easier to fit support around work, school or other commitments, particularly if you’re located outside a major city.
FAQ
What can NDIS allied health funding be used for? NDIS allied health funding can cover services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, positive behaviour support and dietetics, depending on what’s included in your plan.
Which NDIS funding category covers allied health services? Allied health services are most commonly funded under the Improved Daily Living category. Your plan manager, LAC or the NDIS can confirm what your specific plan includes.
Can I get assistive technology through the NDIS? Yes. Assistive technology such as mobility aids, communication devices and home modifications can be funded through the NDIS, often following a functional capacity assessment (FCA) from an occupational therapist.
Do I need an NDIS plan to access these services? No. If you don’t have NDIS funding, private payment is available, and in some cases an assessment can support an application to access the scheme.
Can allied health services be delivered outside a clinic? Yes. Depending on the service, support can be delivered in clinic, at home, or through online sessions.
Want to explore whether NDIS allied health support is suitable for your situation? Contact our friendly team at Humanity Allied Health for further information or referral guidance.
