New NDIS Pricing Rules: 5 Ways to Protect Your Therapy Hours

Changes to NDIS pricing from 1 July 2026 mean families may need to look more closely at how therapy funding is being used. The new NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27 introduces updated price limits and separates some costs, such as provider travel, into distinct line items.

That may sound complicated, particularly when you are already coordinating appointments, school, work, transport and a wider support team. The good news is that a few practical checks can help you understand your plan, reduce surprises and make your therapy funding work harder throughout the year.

At Nurturing Hands, we support participants and families with mobile Allied Health Assistant (AHA) services delivered at home, school or work. Our AHAs work under the guidance and supervision of your external Allied Health Professional, such as your physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist. We collaborate with your existing team so support remains connected to your goals.

Here are five ways to protect your therapy hours under the new pricing rules.

1. Understand the new NDIS price limits

The NDIS Pricing Schedule sets the maximum amount that can generally be charged for many funded supports. These are price ceilings, not compulsory prices. A provider may charge less, depending on their service model and agreement with you.

From July 2026, some therapy rates have changed while others have remained the same. The schedule also provides separate support items for costs such as:

• Direct therapy or support time
• Provider travel
• Non-face-to-face work
• Reports requested by the NDIA
• Telehealth
• Short-notice cancellations, where applicable

This means an invoice may look different from what you have received in the past. Instead of one combined line, you may see separate items for the session and associated costs.

Take time to review your service agreement and ask:

• What is the hourly rate for each type of support?
• Which NDIS support item will be used?
• Are travel or other additional charges included?
• Has the provider explained any changes from 1 July 2026?
• Do the agreed rates fit within your available funding?

You can check the latest information through the NDIS pricing arrangements and price limits page. The current pricing schedule and Support Catalogue should be treated as the primary source for item numbers and maximum rates.

Understanding the NDIS pricing rules is the first step towards making informed choices. You do not need to become an expert in every item number, but you should feel comfortable asking for an explanation.

2. Use Allied Health Assistant sessions to stretch funding

One of the most practical therapy funding tips is to ask whether some regular therapy activities could be completed with an Allied Health Assistant under the direction of your external clinician.

An AHA does not replace your physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist. Instead, the AHA can help implement a programme designed by that professional. This may include practising strategies, completing exercises, supporting routines, building confidence with daily activities or helping a participant use skills in real-life settings.

Depending on your goals, an external clinician may recommend:

1. An assessment or review with the clinician.
2. A written therapy programme or set of strategies.
3. Regular AHA sessions to practise and reinforce the programme.
4. Ongoing communication between the AHA, clinician, participant and support team.
5. A review when goals, needs or circumstances change.

This approach can provide more consistent practice without using clinician hours for every routine session. Consistency is especially valuable when skills need repetition across different environments, such as the home, classroom or workplace.

AHA support can also make therapy more relevant to everyday life. For example, a participant may practise mobility strategies in their own home, communication strategies during a familiar activity, or safe routines at school or work.

Nurturing Hands provides AHA support under the guidance of external Allied Health Professionals. We do not employ Occupational Therapists, provide occupational therapy services or complete Functional Capacity Assessments. Instead, we work alongside the professionals already involved in your care and follow their clinical direction.

You can read more about this collaborative model in our article on how Allied Health Assistants change the way you use your NDIS funding.

3. Check how travel costs are charged

Travel is an important part of mobile therapy, but it can also affect how quickly funding is used.

Under the 2026–27 arrangements, therapy-related provider travel is shown through separate modifier items. The relevant travel rate is generally based on a proportion of the direct service rate, and the exact item and maximum amount depend on the support being delivered.

Before sessions begin, ask your provider to explain:

• Whether provider travel will be charged
• How travel time is calculated
• Whether travel is charged for each visit
• Whether the travel amount is shared between participants, where relevant
• Which support item or modifier will appear on the invoice
• Whether there are other travel-related costs

A mobile service may still be the most practical and cost-effective option overall. Receiving support at home, school or work can reduce the burden of getting to a clinic and allows strategies to be practised in the places where they are needed. However, the travel arrangement should be clear and agreed in advance.

If a provider changes its rates or introduces separate travel charges, ask for an updated service agreement before the new arrangement begins. You should be able to understand what you are agreeing to and how it may affect your plan.

Clear communication about NDIS travel costs can help prevent unexpected deductions from your therapy budget.

4. Plan your sessions across the whole year

It is easy to focus on the next appointment and lose sight of the full plan period. A simple annual or quarterly review can help you identify whether your funding is likely to last.

Start by listing:

• Your total therapy budget
• The number of weeks remaining in your plan
• The frequency of each type of appointment
• Expected provider travel
• Report or review requirements
• School holiday or workplace changes
• Any periods when you may need extra support
• The amount reserved for plan reviews or changing needs

You may find that a regular fortnightly session is more sustainable than weekly appointments, or that clinician reviews can be combined with AHA sessions between appointments. The right pattern depends on your goals and clinical recommendations, so discuss any changes with your external Allied Health Professional before making them.

Planning does not mean reducing support automatically. It means using the right kind of support at the right time.

For example, a participant may benefit from more frequent clinician involvement at the beginning of a new programme, followed by regular AHA practice and a scheduled review. Another participant may need additional support during a school transition, after an injury or when returning to work.

Keep a small funding tracker or ask your plan manager for regular statements. Reviewing your spending every few months gives you time to adjust rather than discovering near the end of the plan that funding is limited.

5. Ask providers the right questions

You are allowed to ask questions before agreeing to services. A supportive provider should welcome clear conversations about funding, goals and practical arrangements.

Consider asking:

About the service

• What will each session involve?
• How does the support relate to my goals?
• Can sessions be delivered at home, school or work?
• Who will supervise or guide the AHA?
• How will information be shared with my external clinician?

About the costs

• What is the hourly rate?
• Are travel, administration, reports or cancellations charged separately?
• Which support items will be used?
• Will the provider charge the maximum price or a lower agreed rate?
• How often will I receive invoices or spending updates?

About your plan

• How many sessions might my funding support?
• Can you help me estimate the cost across the plan period?
• What happens if my needs change?
• Who should I contact if I am concerned about my remaining budget?

Write down the answers and keep them with your service agreement. If something on an invoice does not match what you discussed, ask the provider to clarify it promptly.

At Nurturing Hands, we take a collaborative and practical approach. We can speak with you about your goals, current support team, preferred locations and funding considerations. Our mobile AHA model is designed to complement: not replace: the clinical care provided by your external Allied Health Professional.

A final note about TAC and Parkinson’s therapy

TAC funding is designed for supports related to transport accident injuries. TAC funding is not applicable to Parkinson’s therapy because Parkinson’s disease is not related to transport accidents. If you are seeking support for Parkinson’s, discuss the appropriate funding pathway with your treating team and plan manager.

Protecting therapy hours starts with a conversation

The July 2026 changes may require a closer look at rates, travel and support item numbers, but you do not have to navigate them alone. Understanding your agreement, considering AHA support under clinician direction, planning ahead and asking questions can help you use your funding with greater confidence.

Nurturing Hands delivers supportive, mobile AHA services across Melbourne and surrounding areas, in partnership with your existing Allied Health Professionals and support team.

If you would like to discuss your situation, contact Nurturing Hands or call 03 9003 0253.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not financial, legal or clinical advice. NDIS pricing arrangements, support item numbers and claiming rules may change. Always check the latest information with the NDIS, your plan manager, support coordinator and relevant Allied Health Professional before making decisions about your funding or services.

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