Disability occupational therapy helps people with disability do the everyday things that matter to them, such as dressing, cooking, getting around, working and joining in at school or in the community. An occupational therapist (OT) looks at the person, the task and the environment, then suggests practical changes, equipment and skill-building.
This guide explains what OTs do, how a functional capacity assessment fits in and what NDIS price limits apply. It sits within our guide to allied health for people with disability.
The word “occupation” here means the activities that fill your day, not just paid work. An OT works with you on the things you want or need to do.
OT looks different across ages and settings, so the table below shows common examples.
Read how OTs work with specific groups in our guides to occupational therapy for cerebral palsy and occupational therapy for autistic children.
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.
Make a referral →An FCA is an assessment, usually by an OT, of how a person’s disability affects what they can do each day. It can give the NDIA or your planner a clear picture to work from.
A checklist you find online cannot replace a professional assessment.
If you meet the NDIS access requirements, therapy can be funded through your plan. The NDIA sets maximum hourly prices for direct therapy (NDIS Pricing Schedule for 2026 to 2027).
These are maximums, not guaranteed charges, so ask your provider for a quote and check the current schedule. See our guides on physiotherapists for people with disability and speech pathology and speech disability.
OT is usually one part of a wider set of supports, so it helps when everyone around the person knows the plan.
Talk to a health professional when the following come up. Support workers and this guide cannot diagnose or treat.
Call 000 in an emergency.
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.
Make a referral →Therapy sets the strategies; support workers help you use them day to day. TQN Care provides personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong, following the plans your therapists write. See our NDIS services or send a referral, and we will call you back.
A disability OT helps you do daily activities more easily and safely. They assess tasks and spaces, recommend equipment, teach strategies and write reports. Their work is built around your goals, not a standard program.
An FCA, or functional capacity assessment, describes how disability affects a person’s daily activities. It is often completed by an OT. Ask the NDIA or your support coordinator whether one is needed for your situation.
From 24 September 2026, the national hourly price limit for direct therapy by an occupational therapist is $193.99. This is a maximum, so ask your provider for a quote and check the current NDIS Pricing Schedule.
No. OTs support children, adults and older people in many settings, including home, school, work and the community. The focus changes with age, but the aim of making daily life work better stays the same.