13/06/2025
NDIS Pricing:
The disconnect between government wage policies and NDIS fee structures is putting allied health businesses—and the communities they serve—at serious risk.
Since the NDIS was introduced, inflation has increased by over 20%, yet allied health wage rates have barely budged. Now, the government talks about increasing wages across the economy—a very welcome and necessary move—but at the same time cuts or stagnates NDIS fees. This contradiction is not just confusing—it’s unsustainable.
Allied health services are overwhelmingly provided by female-led small businesses—a workforce that makes up approximately 97% women. These businesses already operate on razor-thin margins, often absorbing losses just to keep essential services running. The ongoing fee reductions, paired with stagnant wages and rising costs, threaten their very survival.
What’s more concerning is the evident lack of collaboration and understanding between government departments overseeing wages and those managing the NDIS. The NDIS and allied health sectors are deeply intertwined—yet policies continue to undermine one another instead of working in tandem to support both.
The NDIA also urgently needs to improve how it understands and rates ethical, quality allied health practices versus poorly delivered, unsustainable, and unethical services. Without this, the sector’s integrity and sustainability are at risk.
To policymakers:
Recognise that allied health professionals and their small businesses are critical to the success of the NDIS and broader community health outcomes.
Understand that wage increases are absolutely necessary and welcome—but cannot happen without fair and sustainable NDIS fee structures that reflect the true cost of care.
Engage meaningfully with female-led allied health businesses to understand their unique challenges and ensure policy coherence.
Prioritise ethical, sustainable practice by improving how service quality is assessed and supported.
Small businesses are the backbone of Australia’s economy, and allied health is no exception. Without coordinated, supportive policies, we risk losing vital services and the hardworking professionals who deliver them.
It’s time for the government to bridge this gap—stop contradictory policy moves and start investing in sustainable solutions for allied health and the NDIS.
