Agile Support Services

11/02/2026

NDIS.GOV.AU update under Therapy Supports.
Home -> Understanding the NDIS -> Supports funded by the NDIS

Here are the main points.

🧠 What Are Therapy Supports?
* Therapy supports help people build, maintain, or slow decline in functional skills and independence.
* Must be evidence‑based and delivered by qualified allied health professionals.
* Participants can ask providers about their qualifications to ensure they're the right fit.

🎯 Why Therapy Funding Is Stated (Not Flexible)

* Therapy is funded as a stated support, meaning:
✔️ The budget must be used specifically for therapy.
❌ It cannot be used flexibly across other categories.
* Plans usually state "therapy” without naming a type — giving participants choice of provider and therapy type.

🔄 Flexible Within Therapy — Not Across Categories

Within the therapy budget, participants can:
* Choose the therapy discipline (OT, Speech, Physio, Psychology, etc.).
* Switch providers if needed.
* Use therapy assistants under supervision (claimable), but not students (non‑claimable).

But participants cannot:
* Move therapy funds into other supports (e.g., consumables, personal care, community access).

👩‍⚕️ Who Can Deliver Therapy Supports?

All therapy must be delivered by:
* Allied health professionals registered with Ahpra or the relevant professional association.
* This rule applies even if the plan is self‑managed.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 How Many Therapists Can Work With a Participant?
* NDIA funds one therapist per therapy goal, not multiple therapists doing the same work.
* Multidisciplinary teams are supported when each discipline contributes to different aspects of a participant’s goals.

📄 What Evidence Is Needed for Therapy Requests?

Providers may need to supply:
* Why the therapy is needed
* Proposed approach
* Expected outcomes
* Frequency and duration
* Previous treatment results (if any)

❓ If Therapy Isn’t Approved

Participants can explore:
* Mainstream or community supports
* Existing plan funding that might achieve similar outcomes
* The internal review process (within 3 months)

👀 Other Professional Line Item

* Can be funded if it meets all NDIS criteria
* evidence-based and helps the participant improve or maintain their functional capacity
* Provider must meet registration requirements

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent statutory agency. Our role is to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

21/01/2026

🌟 Exciting Opportunity – Support Worker Course! 🌟

Are you interested in becoming a support worker? I’m thrilled to be running a 6-week course at Tamworth Community College, designed to give you a solid foundation in the world of support work.

🕒 Just 3 hours a week
📚 Learn the ins, outs, and everything in between
✅ Practical, inclusive, and packed with value – there’s something for everyone
Interested?
📞 Contact Tamworth Community College to register or find out more

📣 NEW COURSE – Introduction to Support Work 📣
Thinking about a career in disability, aged care or community support?
This short course is a great way to explore the support work sector before committing to further study.

📅 6 Wednesdays beginning 18 February
🕘 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Tamworth Community College, 175 Peel Street, Tamworth

📘 What you’ll learn:
✔️ The role of a support worker, duties and professional boundaries
✔️ Supporting dignity, independence and choice
✔️ An introduction to disability, aged care and community support roles
✔️ Overview of the NDIS and professional standards
✔️ Employment pathways and further training options

📄 Course details:
• 6 face-to-face sessions
• Small group delivery with individualised support
• Suitable for learners with developing foundation skills
• Certificate of Attendance issued on completion

📞 6763 0630
💻 www.tamworth.nsw.edu.au
🌐 enquiries@tamworth.nsw.edu.au

We look forward to supporting you into a rewarding career in support work!

*Course may be fully subsidied by NSW Government for eligible students*

17/01/2026

If you’d like to learn a little, make some new friends, I highly recommend this course! No experience necessary.

👵🧓 Build your confidence with technology!
Perfect for seniors wanting to learn how to use smartphones, tablets, email and online services in a friendly, supportive environment.
💰 Fee Range: $0
👉 Enrol Today!
📞 02 6763 0630
💻 enquiries@tamworth.nsw.edu.au
🌐 www.tamworth.nsw.edu.au
*Course may be fully subsidies by NSW Government for eligible students*

06/01/2026

🕒 What are “Funding Periods”?
Funding periods are blocks of time when a portion of your NDIS budget is made available to spend. For example, your plan might release funds every 3 months instead of making the whole year’s budget available on day one. Funding periods help with budgeting and aim to keep your supports steady across your plan. This is for plans after 19th May 2025.

Why it matters: If you spend more than the amount available in the current period, the NDIA can’t pay claims that go over that period’s limit—even if you still have money in future periods.

🚫 Can future periods pay for past invoices?
No. Under the NDIS Act (section 45), the NDIA must not pay an amount that would push your plan over its total funding or over the funding set for a specific period or category. That prohibition applies even if you have funds scheduled to be released in a future period. [www5.austlii.edu.au]
Why it matters: If a service happened during a period that’s already exhausted, claims for that service won’t be paid—even if there’s money coming in your next period. Providers and participants need to align service delivery and claiming to the correct funding period to avoid rejected claims. [www5.austlii.edu.au]

🧾 What does section 45 actually say?
Section 45 of the NDIS Act sets out how the NDIA pays amounts under the Scheme. Importantly, it says the Agency must not make a payment if it would cause either:
the total plan funding to be exceeded, or
the amount available in a funding period (or in a specific support category’s funding period) to be exceeded. [www5.austlii.edu.au]
You can read the full text here: NDIS Act – s45.

✅ Are there any exceptions?
There are limited, specific circumstances in the Act where payments can be handled differently, but they are narrow and depend on how your plan is structured and the rules that apply at the time. In everyday terms: don’t rely on an exception—plan and claim within the current funding period. (For the legal detail, see the sub‑sections in s45 and the referenced plan provisions.) [www5.austlii.edu.au]

🧠 Practical tips to avoid problems
Know your periods: Ask your planner or support coordinator to show you the start/end dates and amounts for each funding period in your plan. [ndis.gov.au]
Schedule supports to fit the period: Book services so they line up with what’s available in the current period.
Claim promptly: Submit claims soon after services, so you can see if you’re nearing the period limit and adjust.
If your needs change: You can request a plan variation (to adjust period settings) or a plan reassessment if funding amounts or structures aren’t meeting your needs. [www5.austlii.edu.au]

🧩 Why the NDIA introduced funding periods
NDIA says funding periods help participants budget more easily and keep supports consistent across the life of the plan. They don’t change your total plan amount—only when funds become available. Roll‑out began 19 May 2025 and applies to new or reassessed plans. [ndis.gov.au], [ndis.gov.au]

Bottom line
Spend and claim within your current funding period.
Future funds can’t be used to pay past‑period invoices that exceed the period’s limit. [www5.austlii.edu.au]
If in doubt, ask: your planner, support coordinator, or plan manager can help you map supports to the right period.

18/12/2025

Good morning,
I just wanted to share this short course in case there were people that might like to take advantage of it, it isn’t disability focused, but senior focused. It’s a 9 week course, 3 hours a week, at a super relaxed pace that explores technology delivered by myself! It is a great opportunity to learn, up date some skills (very practical)l, and meet some new people. No skills necessary, we start at the very beginning! I love doing it, and place a special focus on making sure everyone uses texhnology safely! Please contact Tamworth community college if you are interested.

05/11/2025

🌟 Exciting NDIS Tool Alert! 🌟
Good afternoon everyone,

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with Lorien Crossle from Provider Plus, who introduced me to their new AI-powered program designed specifically for the NDIS community: FAM – Your AI Care Companion.

I felt this was worth sharing with you all.

Much like other AI tools such as Co-pilot, FAM allows you to ask NDIS-related questions and receive accurate, easy-to-understand answers. It also helps guide you to the relevant NDIS guidelines—it’s very helpful!

✅ You can start chatting as a guest—no personal info required.
✅ For a more tailored experience, you can sign in.
✅ If you choose to, you can upload your NDIS Plan to receive a personalised summary and deeper insights. (your plan isn’t saved.)

Let me know what you think!

27/10/2025

Any providers linked in with JPS?

Statement on conditions imposed on JPS Audit Specialists Pty Ltd Tuesday 21 October 2025 The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) has taken decisive regulatory action to protect the integrity of the NDIS Approved Quality Auditor (AQA) Scheme by imposing new conditions on the appr...

20/10/2025

🆕 Update to the Respite Guidelines!

What you need to know

RESPITE is now officially called Short Term Respite (STR)!
So, what is STR?
👉 STR gives you a break from your primary informal supports (like family or carers) for at least one night, while ensuring you still get the support you need. It also gives your carers a chance to rest and recharge. 💤
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✅ What can STR funding be used for?
✔️ Standard accommodation (hotel, motel, cabin, cottage, hostel, respite facility)
✔️ Staying in your own home or a homestay (support only, not accommodation)
✔️ Support with daily activities – like getting ready, cooking, eating, cleaning
✔️ Support worker accommodation if they need to stay overnight with you
✔️ Support to access community, cultural or social activities note: not the activities themselves)
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❌ What STR is not for:

🚫 Holidays, cruises, or tourist travel
🚫 Airfares or interstate/overseas travel
🚫 Accommodation or programs for your informal supports
🚫 Meals, activities, or transport (unless already funded separately)
🚫 Day-to-day living costs (e.g. rent, bills)
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⏳ How long can I use STR?

🗓️ Up to 28 days per year, in blocks of up to 14 days at a time.
You can use it flexibly – for example, one weekend a month.
---
📌 STR must meet these criteria:

✔️ You live with or get daily drop-in support from informal supports
✔️ You receive 6+ hours/day of disability-related support from them
✔️ One or more of the following applies:
- You receive high intensity supports (e.g. complex medical needs)
- You have complex behaviour support needs
- You live in a remote area with limited services
- Your informal supports are at risk of burnout
- Your informal supports have other caring responsibilities
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🚫 STR won’t be funded if:

❌ You live alone without drop-in supports
❌ You already receive 18+ hours/day of paid support
❌ You’re not actually taking a break from informal supports
❌ You’re in SIL, MTA, or ILO arrangements
❌ You’re in a housing crisis (other supports may be more suitable)
---
👶 For children (under 18), STR is only funded in *exceptional* cases – when care needs go well beyond what’s typical for their age.
Please see read the full guideline here:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/8099/download?attachment

14/10/2025

ATTENTIONT! NEW PRICE GUIDE!

📢 NDIS Price Guide Update – Effective 24 November 2025
The NDIA has announced updates to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (formerly the Price Guide) for 2025–26. These changes aim to make pricing clearer and fairer for participants and providers.
✅ What’s Changing?

New price limits for Art and Music Therapists, following an independent review.
Updated claiming guidance for ‘Other Professional’ support items.
Removal of the COVID Addendum and related support items.
Updated Modified Monash Model classifications for rural and remote pricing.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) calculator updates to reflect indexation changes.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications updates, including new and revised support items.
Updated descriptions for Community and Social Participation activities.
New Operational Guideline for Therapy Supports – outlining what therapy supports are, when they’re funded, and who can deliver them.
https://ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements

📅 Effective Date: 24 November 2025

14/10/2025

Good morning!
I’ll be hosting a free NDIS Information Q&A Session on Monday, 27th October at 5:00 PM (AEDT) via Microsoft Teams.
This session will focus on NDIS Price Guide specifics around charging, including an overview of the new Price Guide coming out in November.
Who should attend?

Independent Support Workers (primary focus)
Carers
Parents
Providers

The session will run for 1 hour and is open to everyone.
If you’re interested, please message me with your email address so I can send you the Teams link.
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you there!

24/09/2025

Hi everyone, I am planning a NDIS information/Q&A session. Depending on interest this may occur over one or multiple sessions. Topics covered might include:
1. NDIS price guide and specifics around charging
2. NDIS code of conduct
3. Required Policies and Procedures
4. Service agreement and intake forms
5. Behaviour support and Behavioural Data collection
6. Report writing
7. Basics to becoming an Independent Support Worker.

If you are interested in attending, then please message me to express your interest or email me on paul@agiless.com.au. Please include in your message what your preference is around topics, time of event (days/ nights/ weekends) and also in person or via Teams/

There would be a small charge for each session.

26/06/2025