How to Access NDIS Funding for Occupational Therapy
A step-by-step guide to accessing NDIS funding for occupational therapy services. Learn what's covered, how to get started, and what to expect from your NDIS OT.
If you or a family member has an NDIS plan and you're wondering how occupational therapy fits in, you're not alone. OT is one of the most commonly funded allied health services under the NDIS, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming — especially if you're new to the scheme.
This guide walks you through how it works, what's covered, and how to get started.
What Does an NDIS Occupational Therapist Do?
An occupational therapist (OT) helps you develop, maintain, or restore the skills you need for daily living. Under the NDIS, this can cover a broad range of support, including:
• Assessments of your ability to perform daily tasks like cooking, dressing, bathing, and getting around your home
• Recommending and helping you get home modifications (like grab rails, ramps, or bathroom modifications) that make your environment safer and more accessible
• Prescribing assistive technology and equipment — from wheelchairs and communication devices to simpler aids that make everyday tasks easier
• Supporting children with developmental needs, including sensory processing, fine motor skills, handwriting, and school readiness
• Helping with mental health and psychosocial support
• Conducting functional capacity assessments
The scope of what OT can cover under the NDIS is genuinely wide, which is why it's one of the most versatile services available to participants.
Where Does NDIS OT Sit in Your Plan?
NDIS occupational therapy services are typically funded under Improved Daily Living, which sits within the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan. In some cases, certain OT supports may fall under Core Supports.
Your plan manager or support coordinator can help you confirm exactly where OT funding sits in your plan and how much budget is available.
The key thing to know is that if your plan includes Capacity Building funding for Improved Daily Living, you almost certainly have budget available for occupational therapy.
Do You Need a Referral?
No. You don't need a GP referral to access NDIS occupational therapy. You can self-refer directly to a provider, or your support coordinator can make a referral on your behalf.
If you're with a plan manager, they can also help connect you with OT providers in your area.
How to Choose an NDIS OT Provider
When choosing a provider, there are a few things worth considering:
Registration status. If your plan is NDIA-managed, you'll need to use a registered NDIS provider. If you're plan-managed or self-managed, you have more flexibility — but using a registered provider still gives you an extra layer of quality assurance.
Location and availability. Can the provider see you at a clinic, or do they offer home visits? If you're in a regional area, does the provider actually have therapists available near you, or will you be waiting weeks for an appointment?
Multi-disciplinary services. If you need more than just OT — for example, physiotherapy or exercise physiology as well — a provider that offers multiple services under one roof can make coordination much simpler.
Experience with your needs. Some OTs specialise in paediatric therapy, others in home modifications, others in mental health. Make sure the provider has experience relevant to your goals.
What Happens at Your First Appointment?
Your first session with an NDIS OT is usually an assessment. The therapist will talk with you (and your family or support people, if relevant) about your goals, your current challenges, and what you'd like to be able to do.
From there, they'll develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. This plan becomes the roadmap for your OT sessions going forward.
Sessions can be held at a clinic, in your home, at school (for children), or in community settings — depending on what's most relevant to your goals.
Getting Started with Optimum
At Optimum Allied Health, our NDIS occupational therapists are available across Northern NSW and SE QLD — at our clinics in Tweed Heads, Ballina, Casino, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, and Lismore, plus home visits throughout the region.
We're a registered NDIS provider and work with plan-managed, self-managed, and NDIA-managed participants. There are no out-of-pocket costs for approved NDIS services.
Support coordinators: Make a referral →
Or call us on 1300 871 249.
