If you're gearing up for your next NDIS assessment, you've probably heard whispers about some pretty significant changes that rolled out in 2025. And honestly? They're not just whispers anymore – these changes are real, they're here, and they're affecting how therapy supports are funded and delivered across the entire scheme.
Don't worry though. While these changes might seem overwhelming at first glance, understanding what's shifted can actually work in your favor. When you know what to expect, you can prepare better, advocate more effectively, and ensure you're getting the supports you need.
Let's break down the five most important changes that could impact your next assessment.
1. Therapy Rates Got a Reality Check (And It's Not Great News)
Back in July, the NDIS introduced new pricing limits that honestly caught a lot of people off guard. Therapy rates dropped across the board – we're talking about physiotherapists taking a $10 per hour hit, bringing their rate down to $183.99 per hour. Other allied health professionals saw similar reductions.
But here's the kicker that's really affecting families: therapists can now only claim 50% of their hourly rate for travel time, down from 100%. This might not sound like a big deal if you live in the city, but if you're in a rural area or even outer suburbia, you've probably already felt the impact.
Some therapists have stopped offering home visits altogether, while others have shifted to telehealth or clinic-based services. Before your assessment, have an honest conversation with your current providers about how these changes affect their service delivery. If in-home visits are crucial for you or your loved one, you'll need to factor this into your planning discussions.
Pro tip: If your therapist is still willing to travel but at reduced rates, they might need to see you for longer sessions to make it financially viable. This could actually work out better for some people, but it's something to discuss upfront.
2. Health Supports Got Shuffled Around (And You Need to Know Where)
Remember Disability-Related Health Supports (DRHS)? Well, they've moved house. As of June 30th, all DRHS shifted from Core funding to Capacity Building funding. This includes your dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and speech pathologists.
Why does this matter for your assessment? Because you can't just assume these services will be covered under your flexible Core supports anymore. You need to specifically request adequate Capacity Building funding to cover these therapeutic supports.
This change means you need to be way more specific about your therapy needs during your assessment. Instead of having that flexible Core bucket to dip into, these services now need their own dedicated slice of your plan budget.
What to do: Make a list of all the health professionals you currently see or need to see. Calculate roughly how many sessions you'll need over your plan period, and make sure your planner understands these need to come out of Capacity Building, not Core funding.
3. "Reasonable and Necessary" Just Got More Complicated
The phrase "reasonable and necessary" has been part of NDIS language since day one, but the criteria have become much more specific and detailed. There's now an approved support list that outlines exactly what can be funded, and you'll need stronger evidence to justify your supports.
This isn't necessarily bad news – it just means you need to come prepared with better documentation. Gone are the days when a brief note from your therapist might be enough. Now, you'll need comprehensive reports that clearly outline:
• What outcomes you've achieved with current supports
• Specific goals you're working toward
• Why continued support is necessary
• How the support relates to your disability
Reality check: This change has actually helped some people get clearer about their goals and see better therapy outcomes. When you have to be specific about what you're working toward, everyone – you, your therapist, and your planner – is on the same page.
4. Your Budget Is Now Set in Stone (Well, Almost)
Here's a big one that's caught a lot of families by surprise. Since late 2024, new plans come with fixed budgets, fixed funding periods, and much stricter approval processes for additional funding. The days of intra-plan flexibility are largely behind us.
What this means for your assessment is that you need to be incredibly precise about your needs for the entire plan period. No more "let's see how we go and adjust if needed" approach. You need to think ahead about:
• Seasonal variations in your support needs
• Potential changes in your condition
• Goal progression and what might come next
• School holidays, work schedules, or other life factors that affect therapy timing
Get strategic: If you typically need more intensive therapy at certain times of the year, make sure this is factored into your plan from the beginning. It's much harder to get additional funding mid-plan now.
5. Creative Therapies Got the Short End of the Stick
If you or your family member benefits from art therapy or music therapy, this change hits close to home. These therapies have been reclassified with reduced funding rates, and there's been a big push toward group sessions rather than individual therapy.
Individual sessions are now only funded in "exceptional circumstances," and honestly, the bar for what counts as exceptional is pretty high. The NDIA is reviewing these changes, with findings expected by March 2025, but for now, this is the reality.
If you need these therapies: Start collecting evidence now about why individual sessions are crucial for your specific goals. Document how group sessions might not meet your needs and prepare to justify those exceptional circumstances. Think about sensory needs, communication challenges, or specific therapeutic goals that require one-on-one attention.
Getting Ready for Your Assessment: The Action Plan
Now that you know what's changed, here's how to prepare:
Before your assessment:
• Schedule meetings with all your current therapists to discuss these changes and how they affect service delivery
• Gather comprehensive reports that clearly link your therapy needs to your disability and goals
• Calculate realistic funding needs for your entire plan period
• Document any exceptional circumstances that require individual rather than group supports
During your assessment:
• Be specific about which supports go where (Core vs. Capacity Building)
• Present clear evidence for why each support is reasonable and necessary
• Discuss any challenges these changes might create for accessing supports
• Ask questions about how the new pricing affects your provider options
The Silver Lining
Look, these changes aren't all doom and gloom. Many participants are finding that the increased focus on outcomes and evidence-based practice is actually leading to better therapy results. When everyone's clear about what you're working toward and why, therapy tends to be more targeted and effective.
The key is understanding the new landscape and working within it. These changes aren't going anywhere, so the best thing you can do is prepare thoroughly and advocate confidently for the supports you need.
Remember, your assessment is still your opportunity to tell your story and explain what supports will make the biggest difference in your life. These changes just mean you need to tell that story with more detail and evidence than before.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all these changes, consider reaching out to a plan manager or support coordinator who can help you navigate the new requirements. The NDIS landscape has definitely gotten more complex, but with the right preparation and support, you can still access the therapy services that matter most to you and your family.
