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Find NDIS Allied Health Providers

Allied health can make a practical difference to how you manage daily life, work towards your goals and take part in the things you enjoy. Whether you are looking for therapy for yourself, your child or someone you care for, finding the right provider is an important first step.

NDIS allied health providers deliver therapy, assessments and practical strategies that can help build skills, improve functional ability and support independence. They may also provide reports or evidence that helps inform NDIS planning decisions.

This guide explains the types of allied health support available, how the NDIS may fund it and how to find providers who are a good fit for you.

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What Are NDIS Allied Health Providers?

Allied health providers are qualified professionals who support people with disability in specific areas of daily life, health and participation. Their work is often called therapeutic support.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, an allied health professional should start with what you want to achieve. They may assess your needs, help set practical goals and work with you to develop strategies that suit your routines, environment and preferences.

Common NDIS allied health providers include:

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Speech Therapy Pathologists
  • Psychologists
  • Dietitians
  • Exercise Physiologists
  • Podiatrists
  • Behaviour Support Practitioners
  • Audiology Specialists
  • Counselling Practitioners

Depending on the service, providers may work with you individually, in a group or alongside your family, carers and other members of your support team. NDIS therapy supports are designed to help people improve functional abilities, develop skills and increase independence.

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What Can Allied Health Support Help With?

Allied health is not just about appointments or reports. The right support can help you make progress towards goals that matter in your everyday life.

This could include:

  • Communicating with others in ways that work for you
  • Building confidence with personal care, cooking or household routines
  • Moving around safely at home and in the community
  • Managing sensory needs, fatigue, pain or emotional wellbeing
  • Taking part in education, work, hobbies and social activities
  • Using assistive technology or mobility equipment
  • Making your home safer and easier to use
  • Supporting safe eating, drinking or mealtimes

The support you receive should relate to your disability, your NDIS plan and the functional outcomes you are working towards.

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Which Allied Health Professional Is Right for Me?

The best fit depends on your goals and what you would like more support with. You may only need one type of therapy, or you may benefit from a team of professionals who work together.

If you want support with… An allied health provider to consider
Everyday tasks, sensory needs, equipment or home accessOccupational therapist
Strength, mobility, balance, movement or physical functionPhysiotherapist
Communication, speech, language, swallowing or mealtimesSpeech pathologist
Emotional regulation, coping strategies or functional wellbeingPsychologist
Food, nutrition or disability-related eating needsDietitian
Fitness, strength, movement and physical activityExercise physiologist
Foot health, mobility and footwearPodiatrist

You do not need to work this out on your own. Your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, GP or existing therapist may be able to help you identify the support that could suit your goals.

How Are Allied Health Supports Funded Through the NDIS?

Allied health services may be funded through the Capacity Building budget in your NDIS plan, often under Improved Daily Living. This category can include assessments, training, strategy development and therapy supports that help build skills for independence and community participation.

Funding is individual. The NDIS may fund a service where it addresses the functional impact of disability and helps you work towards the goals in your plan.

Depending on your circumstances, your funding may cover:

  • Therapy sessions, either individual or group-based
  • Assessments and functional reports
  • Therapy plans, strategies and home programs
  • Assistive technology or home modification assessments
  • Training for family, carers or support workers
  • Evidence to support plan reviews or requests for additional disability-related supports

Before you begin, ask the provider what their services include, whether they can work with your plan management type and what costs may apply.

What Happens at Your First Appointment?

Your first appointment is a chance to decide whether the provider feels like the right fit. They may ask about your goals, everyday routines, what is working well and what you would like to change.

You can use the appointment to ask:

  • What experience do you have with people who have similar goals or support needs?
  • How will you involve me in setting goals and making decisions?
  • Where can appointments take place?
  • How often might I need appointments?
  • What reports, travel costs or cancellation terms apply?
  • Can you work with my other providers if I give permission?

You can bring a family member, carer, Support Coordinator or another person you trust if that would help. You are also allowed to change providers if the service is not right for you.

How Care Decisions Helps You Find the Right Allied Health Provider

Searching for different types of therapy, checking availability and comparing providers can take a lot of time. Care Decisions is a free, independent service that helps participants and families explore NDIS allied health providers in their area.

Tell us what you are looking for, what your goals are and how your plan is managed. We will provide tailored provider options with current availability, so you can consider them at your own pace.

There is no cost to use our service and no obligation to proceed with any provider. You decide what happens next.

How It Works

Finding the right NDIS provider shouldn’t be overwhelming. We make it easier by connecting you with dependable, available support services that meet your needs. Our FREE service takes the hassle out of the search. Here’s how it works.

Step 1

Let’s Get Started

Share your support needs, goals, location, and preferences with your dedicated NDIS matching specialist. We’ll help you find the right providers to suit your unique situation.

Step 2

Get a Tailored Allied Health Provider Options Report

Our team of trained local NDIS support specialists create a personalised report, showing only NDIS Allied Health providers who are available and matched to your specific requirements, location, and the type of support you’re looking for.

Step 3

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan

Once we have sent a list of options, providers will then be in touch. We’ll also help you understand how the NDIS works and what supports may be available under your plan. Where included, we can also ensure you are offered Plan Management. We encourage participants to compare provider pricing and service options to find what best suits their needs.

Common Questions About NDIS Allied Health

Do I need a registered NDIS allied health provider?

If your funding is NDIA-managed, you need to use a registered NDIS provider. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you may be able to use registered or unregistered providers, depending on the support. Always check that the professional holds the qualifications and registrations required for their profession.

Yes. Allied health providers can complete assessments and reports that describe how disability affects daily life and what supports may help. These reports can inform access requests, planning conversations, plan reviews and some requests for assistive technology or home modifications.

Yes. Many people work with more than one provider when they have different goals. For example, you may see an occupational therapist for daily living skills and a physiotherapist for mobility. With your permission, your providers can share relevant information and work towards consistent goals.

Yes. Allied health professionals can support children with communication, movement, self-care, sensory needs, play, learning and participation in family and community life. For younger children, therapy often focuses on everyday routines and practical strategies for parents and carers.

You can ask your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, GP or existing therapist for suggestions. Care Decisions can also help you find allied health providers with current availability that match your goals, location and plan management type.