Allied Health Disability: Complete Australian Guide

What is allied health disability support?

Allied health professionals are trained clinicians who are not doctors or nurses. In disability support they help people build skills, manage health conditions and take part in daily life.

• You may see more than one therapist: for example, an OT and a physio can each work on different goals.
• Share goals and reports: a good team passes information on with your permission, so you do not have to explain your story from scratch each visit.
• Bring a support person: a family member, friend or support worker can help you remember advice and practise strategies between sessions.

Types of allied health disability support

Each therapy looks at a different part of daily life. The table shows what they usually help with, and the price limits come from the national schedule (NDIS Pricing Schedule).

These are maximum hourly prices for direct therapy, and a provider may charge less. Check the current schedule before you agree to a fee.

Occupational therapy

• Occupational therapists look at how you manage tasks at home, school and work, and suggest equipment or changes to routines.
• Read more in our guide to disability occupational therapy.

Physiotherapy

• Physiotherapists work on movement, strength, balance and pain, often with a home exercise program you can follow.
• See what they do in physiotherapist disability support.

Speech pathology

• Speech pathologists support communication, language and safe eating and drinking, including alternative ways to communicate.
• Our guide to speech disability explains the signs and supports.

Positive behaviour support

• This approach looks for the reasons behind behaviours of concern and builds skills and supports around the person.
• Learn more in positive behaviour support disability.

NDIS approved speech pathologist, OT and other therapist: what to look for

When people talk about an “NDIS approved” therapist, the useful questions are whether the person is qualified, a good fit, able to work with how your plan is managed and priced within the limits.

• Check qualifications: ask which professional body the therapist belongs to and whether they have experience with your disability and age group.
• Ask about registration: whether you can use a provider who is not registered with the NDIS depends on how your plan is managed, so confirm with the NDIA or your plan manager.
• Ask about pricing: request a written quote that lists hourly rates, travel and report-writing time, and compare it with the national limits.
• Find your fit: a first session is a chance to see whether the therapist listens to you and explains things clearly.
• Look for mobile options: some therapists visit homes, schools and early learning centres, which can suit children and people who find travel difficult.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has information about NDIS providers and your rights (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission).

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Allied health disability support for children

Children with disability may see one or more allied health professionals, such as an OT, a speech pathologist or a psychologist.

• Mobile NDIS OT assessment for children: some occupational therapists assess at home, daycare or school, where they can see how a child manages real routines.
• Early help: our guide to disability early intervention explains early support for young children.
• Goals first: bring a short list of what you want your child to do, such as dressing, mealtimes or playing with friends.
• School links: ask therapists to share recommendations with teachers so strategies work at home and at school.
• Review often: children grow and change, so ask how progress will be measured and when goals will be updated.

Psychology for people with disability and mental health support

Disability psychology looks at emotional wellbeing, coping and behaviour while respecting how a person communicates and experiences the world.

• Psychology for people with disability: a psychologist can help with anxiety, low mood, trauma, behaviour and adjusting to changes in health or life.
• Psychosocial disability: if mental health affects daily life, read about psychosocial disability.
• NDIS support: our guide to mental health support for NDIS participants explains how plans can help.
• Support workers: see what a mental health support worker does and how to become a mental health support worker.
• Pay and roles: curious about the workforce? Read the mental health support worker salary guide and the mental health registered nurse guide.

If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, and call 000 if someone is in immediate danger.

Exercise physiology, nutrition and footwear for NDIS participants

Some allied health services focus on the body and everyday health. If you meet the NDIS access requirements, these can be funded when they are reasonable and necessary for your disability.

• Exercise physiology for NDIS participants: an exercise physiologist designs safe programs for strength, fitness and independence.
• NDIS funded exercise physiology for paraplegia: the plan could cover tailored exercise for people with spinal cord injury if it is linked to goals such as strength, transfers and health.
• NDIS approved nutritionist or dietitian: a dietitian can help with nutrition, mealtime plans and special diets; ask whether your plan funds a dietitian or a nutritionist, as they are different roles.
• NDIS approved footwear in Australia: a podiatrist can assess your feet and recommend footwear, and you should ask the NDIA whether it fits your plan.
• Ask for evidence: reports that link the service to your disability and goals make funding decisions easier.

Disability health care, nursing and rehabilitation

Some people need ongoing health care alongside therapy. These guides explain the wider health picture.

• Disability health care: see disability health care for how GPs, specialists and allied health fit together.
• Disability nursing: our guide to disability nursing covers clinical care at home.
• Rehabilitation: read about disability and rehabilitation after injury, illness or a change in health.
• Neurological conditions: see examples in our neurological disability guide.
• Work and study: allied health can also help with employment, and our guide to disability employment support explains options.

The NDIS allied health price guide and how funding works

If you meet the NDIS access requirements, therapy can be funded from your plan. You can check the criteria on the NDIA page (Am I eligible), and our guide to the NDIS explains the scheme.

1. 1Write down your goals. List what you want to do more easily, such as cooking, communicating or getting around your community.
2. 2Collect evidence. Gather letters and reports from your GP and current therapists that describe your disability and needs.
3. 3Talk to your planner. Explain how therapy would help you reach your goals and ask how funding is set out in your plan.
4. 4Choose your provider. Compare quotes with the hourly limits, and ask about travel and report-writing charges.
5. 5Check in often. Ask your therapist to explain progress in plain language, and let your plan manager know if needs change.

People who are not yet NDIS participants should read what an NDIS participant is. Your GP can also talk with you about health services outside the NDIS.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

Therapy works best when it connects to everyday life. TQN Care support workers can help you practise skills at home, get to appointments and take part in your community, alongside your therapy team. Browse our TQN Care NDIS services, or send a referral and we will call you back to talk about what suits you.