Therapy Providers Reduction to the Maximum Limits

The NDIA have published the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) for the upcoming 2025-26 financial year. While the changes won’t take effect until July, there is some important information to take note of, especially if you receive therapy supports under your NDIS plan.

Although any funding increases for Support Coordination or Plan Management have been halted, and the removal of the Establishment Fee for Plan Managers results in a reduction of their total fees, the reduction in maximum limits for some therapies is a first for the NDIA.

Key Points

• Some therapy maximum limits have been reduced in the maximum hourly rate, while the psychology maximum limit have increased in some states

• Provider travel for therapies has been capped at 15 minutes, or 50% of the usual 30-minute cost

• Therapies are “presented” as they can now be claimed in ten-minute increments. Eg. 50 minute or 1 hour and 10 minute sessions.

• Max. hourly limit for support work have increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

• No CPI increases for Plan Management and Support Coordination. For Plan Management, the removal of the Establishment Fee.

  
  

As with any changes to rates and pricing, we recommend reviewing service agreements that are in place with your providers, especially relating to therapies, to ensure that the agreement reflects the takes into consideration the reduction in Physio, Dietetics, Podiatry, and maximum travel.

What This Means for Participants

Travel

One major change is the cap on the time that therapy providers can claim for travel. The NDIA decided to reduce the amount that can be claimed for travel costs after feedback from participants who experienced their funding being drained faster than expected. This change should mean that more funding is available for direct supports, like the time spent on appointments.

Costs/kilometre for non-labour costs are not changing, so expect to see those charges on your invoices.

Maximum Limit changes

Reductions in hourly Maximum Limit include:

• Podiatry, reduced by $5/hour to $188.99

• Dietetics, reduced by $5/hour to $188.99

• Physiotherapy, reduced by $10/hour in QLD, NSW, VIC, and ACT by $40.06/hour in WA, SA, TAS, and NT to $183.99

• Psychology in WA, SA, and NT by $10/hour to $232.99

Increases in hourly Maximum Limit include:

• Psychology in QLD, NSW, VIC, and ACT, by $10/hour to $232.99

According to the NDIA, these changes bring NDIS pricing closer in line with non-NDIS pricing, a subject that has been at the forefront of NDIS reform for several years.

Next steps

• Check your service agreements, particularly for therapy services, review and make adjustments required.

• Liaise with Support Coordinators if you need help understanding these changes or updating your agreements.

• Reach out to our team if you need assistance reviewing how these changes may affect your NDIS budget and plan.

For more detailed information on these changes, you can refer to Fairer and more equitable pricing for NDIS participants | NDIS