What the NDIS Covers for Occupational Therapy: A Guide for Participants and Families
Understanding what the NDIS can fund can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to allied health supports like occupational therapy. This guide aims to break it down clearly, so participants, families, and support coordinators know what’s possible, what to expect, and how OT can help people live more independently and safely.
What Does Occupational Therapy Mean in the NDIS?
Occupational therapy (OT) helps people with disability do the everyday things that matter to them — things like getting dressed, cooking meals, managing routines, going out in the community, or preparing for work or study.
Under the NDIS, OT support is focused on helping people gain the skills and tools they need to participate more fully in their lives. The support must be related to a person’s disability and be considered “reasonable and necessary” to help them achieve their NDIS goals.
What Kinds of OT Supports Does the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS may fund occupational therapy services under several different budget categories, depending on the type of support required and the participant’s plan.
1. Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
This is the most common category for OT funding. It can cover:
Therapy sessions to build skills for daily life
Assessments (such as Functional Capacity Assessments)
Support for building routines and independence
Reports required for plan reviews, appeals, or housing requests
2. Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life
In some cases, OT support may be funded under Core Supports — especially when it directly relates to helping someone with daily activities. This often depends on how the participant’s plan is managed (e.g. self-managed or plan-managed).
3. Capital Supports – Assistive Technology
If someone needs equipment, such as a shower chair, walker or wheelchair etc., an occupational therapy assessment is often required. The OT will trial suitable options, provide a written report, and help with the funding application.
Examples of NDIS-Funded Occupational Therapy Support
Here are some common ways OT is used within the NDIS:
Skill-building for cooking, shopping, cleaning, and using public transport
Personal care support, such as dressing or toileting routines
Developing structure and routines using calendars, timers, or visual schedules
Sensory regulation strategies and sensory tools
Assessing for and recommending assistive technology, like wheelchairs, grab rails, or communication devices
Supporting transitions, such as moving out of home or into supported housing
Planning for work or study, including focus strategies and environmental setup
What’s funded will always come back to the participant’s individual needs and goals.
What Makes a Support Reasonable and Necessary?
The NDIS won’t fund everything — and some requests need detailed supporting evidence. For occupational therapy, it’s important that:
The support relates directly to the person’s disability
It helps them work toward a goal in their NDIS plan
It is likely to benefit the person and be good value for money
There is evidence from an OT or relevant provider showing why it’s needed
How to Access OT Through the NDIS
Accessing OT support through your plan is usually a straightforward process.
If your plan includes Improved Daily Living funding, you can engage an OT to:
Build everyday skills
Complete assessments
Provide reports to help with decision-making
If you need assistive technology or home modifications, your OT may also provide:
An equipment trial
Quotes from suppliers
A report for your NDIS planner or the AT team
You don’t always need a formal referral — many OTs accept self-referrals, or referrals from support coordinators or family members. What matters is having the right funding in your plan and a clear understanding of what you’d like to work on.
Need More Support Understanding Your Options?
If you're not sure what’s possible through your plan, talk to your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or planner. You can also speak with your current occupational therapist or other providers who know your situation.
The occupational therapists at Everybody OT are also happy to assist — whether that means helping you understand your options, reviewing your plan goals, or exploring what supports may be available through the NDIS.
Occupational therapy under the NDIS isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about helping people build meaningful lives, reach their goals, and participate in their communities in ways that matter to them.
