Therapy Supports Update: New Guidelines & Pricing

In October, the NDIA released a new Operational Guideline (OG) for Therapy Supports and announced updates to the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL), which have taken effect from 24 November 2025. 

These updates outline how therapy supports should be delivered, billed, and reviewed under the NDIS. For therapy providers, understanding these changes is key to staying compliant, sustainable, and aligned with best practice.

Key changes in the new Therapy Supports Operational Guideline 

The new OG sets clearer expectations for what the NDIA considers a therapy support, what evidence is required and how therapy should be delivered. Here are the main points you need to know: 

• Evidence-based supports only: Therapy must be backed by research, shown to be effective and clearly linked to the participant’s goals. 

• Capacity building vs maintenance therapy: Providers need to show whether therapy helps build new skills or maintain existing ones, as this affects funding decisions. 

• Early childhood therapy expectations: Therapy for young children should follow the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention, which focuses on teamwork, family involvement, and using a key worker model. 

• Allied health students and assistants: Students can deliver supports under supervision if the supervising therapist’s insurance covers them. Allied health assistants can provide supports as long as supervision rules are followed. 

• Clearer guidance on non-billable activities: General or pre-recorded online programs that are not personalised to the participant cannot be claimed under the NDIS. 

• Stronger focus on therapy outcomes: Reports should clearly show progress to support future plan reviews. 

What’s changing in the PAPL from 24 November 2025 

The PAPL update also includes changes specific to therapy supports. These include: 

• Reduced price limits for some disciplines. For example, art and music therapy now have a lower hourly rate. 

• Updated use of the “Other Professional” item. This code can only be used by disciplines not already listed, and only if they meet the qualification, registration and evidence-based criteria in the PAPL. 

These changes may affect how you set your rates, bill for supports and write your service agreements. If you deliver art or music therapy, it’s important to review your pricing and discuss any updates with participants and plan managers. 

What providers can do 

• Review therapy programs to ensure they meet evidence-based and outcome-focused requirements. 

• Check documentation and reports for clear progress measures. 

• Update rates and agreements to reflect the new therapy price limits. 

• Confirm that qualifications and billing practices meet the NDIA’s updated definitions. 

• Communicate any changes early and clearly with participants and plan managers. 

Final word 

These updates represent a shift in how therapy supports are funded, delivered and reviewed under the NDIS. Your role as a provider stays the same, supporting people with disability to build skills, independence and participation. What is changing is how you show the impact of your work, how you bill for it and how it fits into a participant’s plan. 

At First2Care, we understand that updates to guidelines and pricing can affect both providers and participants. If you would like help understanding how these changes may affect your invoicing, service delivery or how you work with participants, please feel free to reach out. 

For more information, you can read the NDIA’s full update on Therapy supports and Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26.