12/06/2025
📣 Important Update: Proposed NDIS Pricing Changes
I know how challenging things are right now in the NDIS space - for participants, families, and providers. I just wanted to share some important information about the proposed changes in the NDIS Annual Pricing Review, which could seriously affect the availability of services, particularly in rural and regional areas.
These changes are still just recommendations, but they signal a direction that could have significant impacts on both service providers and participants.
Key concerns include:
➰ A proposed reduction in the hourly rate for travel, which will render community-based services, especially in-home therapy, functional assessments, assistive technology, and home modifications - financially unsustainable for many providers. The unintended consequences of this recommendation are dire. Access to necessary in-home services for the prescription of Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and clinical appropriate home-based interventions will be impacted and result in significant harm to participants safety and well-being.
➰ Pricing reductions for physiotherapy, podiatry, and dietetics, creating real risks to continuity of care for participants requiring these supports. These therapy services are not lifestyle choices for NDIS participants. They are necessary to ensure their ongoing capacity building, health, safety and well-being.
➰ Ongoing stagnation of pricing for Occupational Therapy, Support Coordination and Plan Management, despite increasing administrative and compliance burdens on providers. With the 7th year of no increase in funding, despite increases in the superannuation guarantee, cost of living including rent, amenities and other costs of running a business will force many providers into closure.
As highlighted above, these recommendations may lead to:
➰ Market withdrawal, particularly from sole providers, rural services, and specialist clinicians. We already absorb significant non billable travel time in order to provide to travel and provide services to participants. This is not sustainable as is let alone with a 50% reduction in the hourly rate for when this travel occurs.
➰ Increased service gaps, leaving participants unable to access essential supports which will result in a higher reliance on other NDIS funded supports costing the scheme more in the longer term.
➰ Erosion of participant choice and control, particularly for those with high or complex support needs.
The risk of market failure is real - and imminent. Providers are already operating at the edge of viability. These pricing recommendations, if adopted, will push many over that edge, to the direct detriment of the very people the NDIS is meant to support.
No Providers, No Supports, No Positive Participants Outcomes.
I encourage fellow providers to consider writing to your local MPs and the Minister for the NDIS - your voice matters.
In the link below, you’ll find a blog from Nacre Consulting outlining the proposed changes, including a letter template you can use to raise your concerns. I’ll also be sharing an email template and contact details for relevant Ministers, developed by the NDIS OT Community of Practice Group, to make it easier for providers to take action.
https://www.nacre.com.au/blog-ndis-pricing-fail-act-now/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwK3DJlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHm4w9CLKHapkqYNgoCvsygmByNTY8J1pb5RyjtZUA1NUBLudl_9FTsK3UJTm_aem_hL1yuDIuHolbPuEZqHvsxQ
NDIS pricing freeze and travel cuts hit hard in 2025–26. Download our free letter template to fight back and tell decision-makers: This is not good enough.
