AAPi has joined Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and allied health peak bodies in issuing a shared statement on the Australian Government’s proposed new NDIS reforms.
We recognise that proposed changes to the NDIS is causing understandable concern for participants, families and psychologists working in the disability sector. Reform of this scale must be approached carefully and with meaningful sector input.
Under the proposed framework:
- A Support Needs Assessment will determine a participant’s overall budget
- The assessment will influence eligibility and funding for therapy supports, including psychology
- New NDIS “Supports Rules” are currently being drafted to underpin the framework
At present, the draft Rules are not yet publicly available. We acknowledge the frustration and uncertainty this creates for both participants and psychologists.
Importantly, AAPi is participating in the highest level of consultation prior to public release of the amended Rules. AAPi has direct engagement with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the NDIA team responsible for drafting the new Supports Rules. This means psychologists’ expertise is being represented during the development phase, not just once public consultation begins.
This is a complex and high-stakes reform. For psychology, it is critical that:
- Psychological therapy and behaviour support are clearly and accurately defined
- The breadth and depth of psychological practice within the NDIS is recognised
- Participants retain access to evidence-based assessment, intervention and functional support
- Funding structures do not inadvertently narrow clinical judgement or restrict necessary care
AAPi is actively and constructively contributing to this work to help ensure that the final framework reflects psychologists' expertise and safeguards participants' access to appropriate supports.
We understand that formal public consultation on the amended Rules is expected to commence in March 2026.
This will be a crucial opportunity for psychologists, participants and providers to review the draft Rules and provide feedback once the drafting phase is complete.
We will continue to advocate firmly to ensure that psychological therapy remains appropriately funded, appropriately defined, and accessible to those who require it.
AAPi remains committed to advocating for clarity, fairness and access within the NDIS. We will continue to update members as more detail becomes available, including opportunities for members to contribute to the public consultation.
You can read the joint AHPA and allied health peak body statement below.
Joint Statement on NDIS planning
A statement from Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and the allied health peak associations, in response to the Australian Government’s new planning framework for the NDIS, scheduled to commence in July 2026.
We recognise that changes to NDIS planning are causing concern for many participants, families and allied health professionals. This is a time for considered constructive engagement. AHPA and its member allied health peak associations are working closely and directly with Government to help shape the rules underpinning new framework planning, with a clear focus on protecting access to appropriate allied health supports.
We encourage all stakeholders to engage in the consultation process in a way that supports the best possible outcome for participants and the sector.
Public consultation is currently underway to inform development of the NDIS Rules that will underpin new framework planning. The Rules are currently in development and not yet available for the sector to review. We understand that this lack of visibility creates frustration and uncertainty for people with disability and the allied health professionals who support them.
Under the proposed new approach, a Support Needs Assessment will be carried out to determine a participant’s budget and their eligibility to access therapy supports provided by allied health professionals. Getting this process right will be extremely important and is a key focus for AHPA and the allied health peak associations.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have engaged the allied health professional associations for expert advice on defining therapy supports to inform the development of the draft NDIS Supports Rules. Given the diversity and complexity of the sector, this is a challenging process.
AHPA, in collaboration with the allied health peak associations is actively and constructively working with the Department and NDIA to inform their drafting of the Rules. Once this work is complete, we understand public consultation on the amended Rules will commence in March 2026.
The upcoming public consultation process will be an important opportunity for participants, providers and the broader allied health sector to review the amended Rules and provide feedback.
We will continue to engage at every stage of this process to help ensure the final Rules reflect the expertise of the allied health sector and safeguard participants’ access to the supports they need.
