The Government’s Draft List of Allied Health NDIS Supports: What’s In; and What’s Out

On Sunday, 4 August 2024, the Federal Government released a consultation paper on draft lists of NDIS supports. It gave everyone only 14 days to respond.

Big Picture

If enacted, the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track) Bill will allow the Government to make new rules about what is – and isn’t – an NDIS Support. But Commonwealth and State governments will then need to agree on the detailed rules, which will take time. Until this happens, the Government wants a transitional rule in force, including lists of supports that will – and won’t – be funded.

Proposed “ins and outs” for allied health-related services

What’s in

What’s out

Therapeutic supports: “evidence-based therapy supports provided to assist a participant to apply their functional skills to improve participation and independence in daily, practical activities in areas such as language and communication, personal care, mobility and movement, interpersonal interactions and community living”, including “further assessment by health professionals for support planning and review as required”.

Early intervention supports for 0-9 year-olds, including “a mix of therapies”.

Specialist positive behaviour support.

Some disability-related health supports (including some dysphagia, continence, respiratory, nutrition, diabetes, epilepsy, podiatry and wound and pressure care supports).

Communication, information and personal mobility equipment.

Exercise physiology, specialist hearing supports, therapeutic massage directly related to disability, and some interpreting and translation help.

Alternative and complementary therapies like crystal therapy, tarot cards and clairvoyants, cuddle therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, sound therapy, yoga therapy, wilderness therapy, alternative or complementary medicine.

Wellness and coaching services like general massage, sports supplements, life-coaching, hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, gaming therapy, mastermind coaching, somatic therapy and kinesiology.

Energy and healing practices such as Reiki, Scalar Lounge, frequency healing and energy balanced massage, deep energy clearing, spinal flow technique and shamanic healing, hair and beauty services (including nail salons).

“Mainstream” services, including health, mental health, child protection and family support, early childhood development, higher education and vocational education and training, employment, housing and community infrastructure, transport, justice, and aged-care services.

Lists have limits

Many participants, providers, and taxpayers want clarity on what NDIS funds can be spent on. But the lines between “disability” and “mainstream” services are harder to draw in practice than the lists suggest, and disputes are inevitable.

Will (can) the States cover support gaps for participants and others with disabilities in health and education services?

What happens if governments can’t agree on a future ‘permanent’ rule?

Will we be stuck with the lists?

Have we considered the second– and third- order effects of these changes for participants, state governments, providers, and taxpayers?

It’s very hard to think through these issues properly in the very short consultation period while also delivering services to participants.