In 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) made major reforms to physiotherapy funding. These changes affect both participants who rely on therapy support and providers who deliver these essential services. This article breaks down the key funding changes for 2025–2026, explains what they mean, and offers strategies for participants and providers so that your NDIS physiotherapy and care isn’t interrupted.
Key changes participants and physiotherapy providers should be aware of
Shift in how physiotherapy funding is categorised
One of the most significant changes from 1 July 2025 is the removal of physiotherapy from the Core supports category. Traditionally, some participants could flexibly use Core funding for physiotherapy services. Under the updated rules, physiotherapy must now be funded exclusively through the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category.
What This Means
- Participants will need sufficient Capacity Building funds in their plans before physiotherapy can be delivered and paid for.
- During plan reviews, it’s now more critical than ever for participants and support coordinators to ensure and prove that physiotherapy goals are clearly justified and adequately costed within the Capacity Building budget.
Revised pricing arrangements and price limits for 2025–26
The NDIA’s Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits changed from 24 November 2025, which will affect physiotherapy services. Here’s what’s changing:
- Reduced physiotherapy hourly rates: The price limit for physiotherapy has been adjusted (e.g., reduced by approximately $10/hour to around $183.99) to align with current market costs.
- Travel allowances: Providers can now only claim half the hourly price limit for travel time. This will affect predominantly mobile therapists who travel to participants’ homes or work in regional areas.
One direct impact of the new pricing arrangement is that participants may see their funds “run out” more quickly if travel time is a significant part of service delivery.
Impact on participants in rural and remote areas
Travel and service-delivery costs — now less well-supported — may reduce therapy availability or lead to longer wait times in regional and remote areas. Participants may need to travel further or switch to clinic-based services to maximise their plan budgets.
Changes related to the release of funding:
Before May 2025, most participants had access to all their funding at the start of their plan and self-managed their budgets over 12 months. Under the new changes, budgets will be released according to funding periods. These periods can be monthly or quarterly. Funding will only become available when the period opens, so participants have less flexibility in managing their annual budget.
New list of funded supports:
In October 2024, the NDIA refined what is considered an NDIS-funded support, providing clear guidance on which supports are included and which are not. The NDIS also provides a replacement support list, which allows for substitutions. Participants were given a 12-month transition period, ending October 2025.
These are major changes that will affect how you access physiotherapy. While this is definitely unsettling, we break down what this means for your NDIS physiotherapy.
What participants should do now to manage the 2025 NDIS changes
Physiotherapy continues to be funded under the NDIS so long as the service is directly linked to a participant’s plan goals and functional needs. Here’s what participants can do:
Review your plan
- Review your plan ahead of time to ensure Capacity Building funds are allocated to physiotherapy and other therapy goals.
- Your physiotherapy budget will be accessed in stages. So you may not be able to book all your sessions in advance. Talk to your physiotherapist or support coordinator to learn how to manage appointments.
Review your goals and supports
The way goals are written and discussed has become increasingly important over 2025 and 2026:
- Physiotherapy funding is more easily supported when there is a strong, direct link between your goals and how therapy improves your daily life. Goals like improving mobility, balance, pain reduction, or daily functional performance should be written in a way that clearly connects to how physiotherapy supports you on a day-to-day basis.
- When plans are reviewed or reassessed, there needs to be clear functional links between your goals and supports, so that your daily supports continue to be funded.
Strong evidence — including reports from your therapist — strengthens your case at review meetings.
Adjust your therapy schedule to new funding release periods
Because funding is now released in phases, therapy schedules may need to change. This means:
- Spacing sessions across the period
- Avoiding long gaps or overuse early in the plan
Talking to your physiotherapist or support coordinator will help you map out appointments across the funding period. With thoughtful scheduling, physiotherapy can remain consistent, and you can receive ongoing care without any interruptions.
Review your home visits
At-home services are essential to physiotherapy for participants with mobility constraints. Under the new changes, travel allowances for providers are cut in half. If home visits are required:
- Talk with your physiotherapist and support coordinator about the functional reasons home visits are necessary.
- Provide evidence of how home visits reduce risk, support independence, or otherwise contribute to your goals.
Clear communication around these needs helps ensure your NDIS plan reflects your day-to-day circumstances.
What providers should do now
Update billing practices
Ensure systems reflect new prices, travel rules, and cancellation policies.
Communicate with clients
Help participants understand how plan structures and funding periods affect service delivery.
Review service models
Consider adaptations to reduce travel cost impacts — such as clustered appointments or telehealth options where appropriate.
How Moving Healthcare supports you through these changes
At Moving Healthcare, we understand that NDIS changes can feel overwhelming. Our role is to support you through them clearly and with your individual needs at the centre.
We help participants by:
- Explaining how NDIS physiotherapy funding works under the new framework
- Supporting evidence gathering that clearly links physiotherapy and related supports to your goals and daily function
- Adapting therapy plans so that they continue to support you in a practical and meaningful way, even if the funding structures change
- Providing at-home physiotherapy and occupational therapy, where safety, mobility or comfort make home visits essential
We also take a flexible approach to care. Where appropriate, we can adjust session length or frequency and tailor supports to align with funding release periods. Most importantly, you can be reassured that we stay across all NDIS updates so you don’t have to navigate them alone.
Final thoughts
Even though the NDIS changes, one thing remains consistent: physiotherapy continues to be an essential part of helping participants achieve their goals and maintain daily function. With the right planning, clear goals and supportive providers, you can manage these changes with confidence.
If you’d like support with NDIS physiotherapy at home, we’re here to help. Contact us to talk with the Moving Healthcare team and explore your options.
