NDIS: It’s Now or Never campaign hits 55,000 signatures, as providers warn of impact on kids

A single mum of two boys with autism faces an uphill battle following the NDIS’ latest move, with many other anguished parents also having similar fears. See what services are affected.

Exclusive: More than 10,000 children on the NDIS are about to lose their therapists or be forced to travel to a clinic for treatment, according to a peak body for providers.

A decision to freeze pay for allied health workers for the sixth year running – as well as cuts, to travel expenses – came into force on July 1, and has already led to at least 25 large organisations across Australia having to make difficult decisions, including closure, according to a peak body for NDIS providers.

A campaign called It’s Now or Never, calling for the National Disability Insurance Agency – and the NDIA Board which has the ultimate say – to urgently rethink the NDIS pay guide, attracted 55,000 signatures in two weeks.

“We definitely know of a number of organisations that will exit the therapy market altogether because it’s just not viable,” National Disability Services CEO Michael Perusco said.

“It will impact well over 10,000 participants, most of whom are children. It’s important to say that’s the tip of the iceberg.”

Louise Tofilau with her sons Jericho and Jahaziel. Louise says changes to the NDIS pricing index could mean having to pull her twin boys who are mostly non-verbal and autistic out of therapy all together. Picture: Richard Dobson

As a result of the cuts to travel expenses, some therapists have already stopped treating participants in their own homes, despite evidence showing therapy in someone’s natural setting is most effective.

Therapists can still claim a 40 per cent above-rate price for services to travel to participants in remote areas – and 50 per cent in very remote areas. Providers can also claim 99c for each kilometre travelled.

David Dinca, who runs a physiotherapy business serving 1000 people in Queensland and Victoria, was inspired to work in the sector because of his niece Alice, 19, from Adelaide, who has cerebral palsy.

He said the price freeze and cuts will cost the taxpayer far more in the end, with the states and territories picking up the bill.

“If participants don’t get preventive therapies they will end up in a hospital bed,” Mr Dinca said. “A hospital bed costs $3486 a day compared with the average cost of an NDIS plan which is $185 a day.”

Occupational Therapist at Koorana child and family services Ayla Seymour with 13 year old Jahaziel at his home. Picture: Richard Dobson

“The price freeze is not a saving, it’s an expense. It’s going to lead to people going into urgent care, emergency care, homelessness and probably funeral homes.”

Support co-ordinators and plan managers that help participants organise their care and process paperwork, are also impacted in the price freeze. Last year 600 support co-ordinator providers closed, with more expected to fold this year.

Single mum Louise Tofilau has twin boys aged 13, who are autistic, have severe development delay and are largely non-verbal. They see speech, occupational and behavioural therapists at home and at school.

The Sydney mum who works full-time, said if her sons’ therapists cannot travel, she would have to take extended leave from work for the two-hour round trip, or pull them out of therapy, which is at a crucial juncture.

“The boys are currently beginning puberty and dealing with hormones,” Ms Tofilau said.

“This support is essential for their transition to adulthood, so they can learn how to socialise with peers and become independent in the long term.”

Occupational Therapist at Koorana Child and Family services Ayla Seymour with 13 year old Jahaziel as he and his twin brother Jericho receive their weekly therapy. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Perusco said the unintended consequences of the NDIA’s decision is that “quality providers are going broke and the providers you don’t want in the scheme are making money”.

An NDIA spokesperson said therapy costs the NDIS more than $4 billion year. A review of prices found NDIS participants were paying different prices to what other Australians pay for those therapies and that excessive travel claims drain participants’ plans faster than expected.

“For example, a therapist travelling three hours each way to visit a participant for a one-hour session equated to over $1300 being taken from a participant’s plan,” the spokesperson said.

Why the NDIA has frozen or reduced the fee cap

Occupational Therapy (2025-2026 prices)

Under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a home visit is $163.70 per hour, and travel can be billed in addition to this.

Under the NDIS: $193.99 per hour. This price does not include the additional claimable time that a provider could charge for travel and/or remote loading where applicable. Last year they could charge $193.99 per hour for travel.

Physiotherapy (2025-2026 prices)

Under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs would pay $75.10 for 30 minutes in (adjusting to $150.20 per hour for NDIS comparison).

Under the NDIS $183.99 (down from $193.99 per hour from last year). This price does not include the additional claimable time that a provider could charge for travel and/or remote loading where applicable. Last year they could charge $193.99 per hour for travel.

What occupational therapist Giarne Ashby, who has worked in both schemes, says:

“We’re comparing apples with oranges. You cannot compare a mainstream, or veterans service with a disability specific service. Veterans’ needs are different, as is their complexity needs – you’re not providing the same support. The follow up needed for a NDIS participant and a veteran are so different, they’re not comparable. A single page form versus a multiple page report for a NDIS participant, plus quotes and emails back and forth with plan managers. I’m not registered because I can’t afford to, but those who are have to factor the NDIS registration fees into their costs as well.”

What the It’s Now or Never campaign says:

“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs does not mention a duration requirement for a standard consultation – Occupational Therapy Home Visit. The only reference to duration that could be identified is the DVA’s Extended Consultation for Occupational Therapy – Mental Health, which should be used when supports are required for a duration of 20-50 minutes.

By referencing an Extended Consultation is 20-50 minutes, the DVA appears to indicate that a Standard Consultation would be less than 20 minutes in duration. Hence their assertion that this is an hourly rate for DVA appears incorrect, and rather this is a rate for 20-minutes.

“For Physiotherapy, there is no reference as to the duration requirements anywhere on their website, or fee schedule. Hence we are unable to verify the DVA assertion that the rate is for 30 minutes, and can only suppose it is an assumption of how long they consider a session to go for, rather than any firm requirements. Considering the DVA’s usage of Standard vs. Extended Consultation for Occupational Therapy, it is likely that the actual duration is less than 30 minutes.”

Originally published as NDIS: It’s Now or Never campaign hits 55,000 signatures, as providers warn of impact on kids