The Australian Physiotherapy Association, Dietitians Australia, Australian Podiatry Association, Speech Pathology Australia, Occupational Therapy Australia, the Australian Psychological Society, Exercise & Sports Science Australia and Osteopathy Australia are calling on the Federal Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency to immediately halt and review the NDIS pricing decision which poses a direct threat to essential supports and choice for people with disability.
From 1 July 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) intends to either cut or maintain the freeze on price limits for many allied health services, support coordination, and other necessary NDIS providers, including introducing significant limits for travel funding.
These changes have been determined without meaningful consultation with the allied health sector and participants who rely on their support for their function, independence and dignity.
These changes, coupled with rising operating costs, will make it financially unsustainable for many allied health NDIS service providers to continue delivering the complex, high-quality support participants rely on.
The restrictive travel price limits for allied health professionals will pose a major barrier for participants who need allied health support at their homes, especially those living in outer metro, regional and remote communities.
The peaks are collectively calling for:
- The NDIA to immediately halt and review the NDIS Price changes for allied health professions determined to come into effect on July 1
- The NDIA to immediately reinstate travel and regional loading halt limits for allied health professions
- A commitment from the NDIA to engage in genuine consultation with the allied health community and facilitate the opportunity for meaningful co-design with participants who rely on these critical services
- Minister for the NDIS Senator Jenny McAllister to exercise ministerial power and direct the NDIA to halt these changes immediately.
In just over a week, over 50,000 Australians have backed calls for these changes to be stopped online, concerned about the devastating impacts and risk they pose to the safety and dignity of people with disability.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association, Dietitians Australia, Australian Podiatry Association and Australian Psychological Society have cosigned ‘It’s Now or Never’ petition, with over 39,000 signatures. Occupational Health Australia also has over 14,000 signatures on their petition, ‘Stop Cuts to Occupational Therapy Service under the NDIS’.
The following quotes can be attributed to the peak body representatives listed below:
| Spokesperson |
Quote |
|
Australian Physiotherapy Association
National President Dr Rick Dawson MACP
|
“The decision to cut price limits and travel expenses for physiotherapists and other allied health professionals under the guise of cost cutting is not only shortsighted, it’s neglectful. These changes will not save money. They will shift costs downstream and increase the cost of care to Australia’s broader healthcare system, as the functional mobility of NDIS participants deteriorates from diminished access to the vital care they need.
“The sad reality is that the NDIS’s “cost cutting” and the resulting exodus of highly skilled clinicians will put the lives and well-being of vulnerable Australians at risk—and that’s not hyperbole. Physiotherapy builds functional capacity, keeping people mobile and building physical strength and capability. This essential care plays a critical role in reducing avoidable hospital admissions and, in some cases, preventing serious and potentially fatal incidents, such as falls.
|
|
Dietitians Australia
Chief Executive Officer Magriet Raxworthy
|
“This decision will severely impact access to life-sustaining dietetic and nutrition support for people with disability, especially those living out of our major cities.
“Without this vital dietetic nutrition support available in their community, people with disability may be at risk of complications including swallowing difficulties, choking, malnutrition and dehydration.
|
|
Australian Podiatry Association
Chief Executive Officer Hilary Shelton
|
“These changes are forcing podiatrists who are in short supply to consider leaving the scheme or declining referrals for people with complex disabilities.
“For people with foot and lower leg conditions caused by their disability, reduced access to podiatrists could lead to a loss of independence and in the most severe cases amputation.
|
|
Occupational Therapy Australia
Chief Occupational Therapist, Michelle Oliver
|
“These shortsighted cost cutting measures are only going to further damage the scheme. OTs are highly qualified and evidence based professionals who can support the sustainability of the NDIA. Instead of investing into OTs, the NDIA is alienating the profession. Pushing OTs out of the system is going to cost the government more in the long run.
“The NDIA barely consulted with OTs, participants or any allied health bodies. They barely consulted with anyone. They ignored data showing 1 in 5 providers may close. This isn’t oversight – it’s neglect.
|
|
Speech Pathology Australia
CEO Lyn Brodie
|
“Speech pathologists support people to communicate, eat safely and live independently.
“Cuts to travel rates and years of frozen pricing threaten access to care, especially in regional communities.
“Speech pathology changes lives, but only if people can access it. Without fair pricing, too many Australians will miss out on the support they deserve.
|
|
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
President Dr Sara Quinn
|
APS President Dr Sara Quinn said the APS is gravely concerned that the Scheme continues to prevent participants accessing vital psychology services that directly support their functioning, participation and wellbeing.
“As the NDIS enters a critical phase of reform, we urge the Government and NDIA to partner with providers and professions to uphold the original intent of the Scheme. Psychologists play a vital role in delivering assessment, therapeutic support, behaviour support, and early intervention across the lifespan. Too often, they are excluded from key planning processes. That’s simply not good enough. The NDIS was established to support Australians with permanent and significant disabilities to live meaningful lives with inclusion, autonomy, and dignity.
“Achieving that vision requires pricing limits and arrangements that prioritise need, professional integrity, and participant choice as intended by the scheme - not administrative convenience, and certainly not administrative obscurity.
|
|
Exercise & Sports Science Australia
CEO Danielle Smith
|
"Accredited Exercise Physiologists play a vital role in helping Australians, particularly NDIS participants, achieve independence, improve physical function and manage chronic conditions.
We’re concerned that travel funding cuts will further disadvantage home-based services as well as those in rural and remote communities, where access to allied health is already limited.
“If travel support isn't urgently protected, many Australians will be cut off from life-changing care.
|
|
Osteopathy Australia
CEO Antony Nicholas
|
“Halving the price limit for provider travel time under the NDIS adds further access barriers for people with disabilities, particularly in outer metro, regional, and rural areas. It’s a decision that reduces participant choice and control, adds burdens on family and carers, and risks leaving communities with less support.
We’re calling on the NDIS to consult more, live up to the principles of the scheme and introduce a dedicated line item for osteopathy - recognising participant choice or control to utilise a university-qualified allied health profession and ensuring equitable access to care.
|
Case studies
Case Studies are available for interview on request.
Read the full joint public statement to view cases that have been collected with permission and can be attributed within media coverage.
Note to Editors: Dietitians Australia is the leading voice in nutrition and dietetics, representing dietitians nationally and advocating for healthier communities. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia.
