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10 Common Questions About NDIS Occupational Therapy Pricing Answered
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Understanding NDIS occupational therapy pricing helps participants, families, and NDIS service providers make informed choices and manage funding effectively. Whether you’re accessing an in-home OT, a mobile occupational therapist in Melbourne, or telehealth services, knowing the rules can prevent surprises.
Across Melbourne, Victoria, and Australia, OT services follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2025–26. These rules set maximum rates, outline travel and reporting costs, and explain which NDIS budgets fund therapy, including supports for ADHD and daily living skills.
This guide answers the most common questions about OT session costs, travel fees, telehealth, ADHD-related supports, and how to get the most from your Improved Daily Living budget.
1. How Much Does an NDIS Occupational Therapy Session Cost in 2025–26?
Under the NDIS Price Limits 2025–26, the maximum hourly rate for occupational therapy in metropolitan areas (MMM1–3), including Melbourne, is:
$193.99 per hour (face‑to‑face or telehealth)
This price cap applies to:
- Clinic‑based sessions
- In‑home occupational therapy
- Home visit occupational therapy
- Sessions with a mobile occupational therapist in Melbourne
The NDIS sets maximum price limits, not fixed fees. Some NDIS service providers in Melbourne may charge less.
Most NDIS service providers structure sessions as:
- 45–60 minutes of direct therapy
- Optional non‑face‑to‑face time (documentation or preparation) if agreed in advance
Tip: Always confirm how session time is allocated in your service agreement.
2. What Is Non‑Face‑to‑Face Occupational Therapy and Can It Be Charged?
Yes! Non‑face‑to‑face occupational therapy can be billed under the NDIS if it directly supports your goals and is clearly outlined in your service agreement.
Common examples include:
- Therapy planning and goal setting
- Progress notes and outcome measures
- Liaising with schools, support coordinators, or allied health teams
- Preparing recommendations or equipment letters
Non‑face‑to‑face work is not automatically billable. Charges must:
- Be agreed in writing
- Relate directly to NDIS goals
- Stay within NDIS price limits
3. Do NDIS OT Rates Change in Regional or Remote Areas?
Yes. The NDIS uses the Modified Monash Model (MMM) to classify locations.
- Metropolitan Areas (MMM1–3): Maximum rate: $193.99 per hour (applies to clinic, home-visit, or mobile OT services, including Roaming Therapy services across Melbourne suburbs such as Epping, Broadmeadows, Melton, Craigieburn, and others)
- Regional, Remote & Very Remote Areas (MMM4–7): Higher price limits may apply, typically $271–$290 per hour, depending on remoteness (includes mobile/home-visit OT; higher rates reflect travel and delivery costs)
These loadings reflect:
- Increased travel time
- Fewer available NDIS service providers
- Higher service delivery costs
If you live outside Melbourne, confirm your MMM classification and rate with your provider before commencing therapy.
4. How Much Does an Initial NDIS Occupational Therapy Assessment Cost?
An initial occupational therapy (OT) assessment is usually more comprehensive than ongoing sessions and may include:
- Functional assessment of daily living skills
- Sensory, emotional regulation, or executive functioning review
- Goal development, including ADHD-related supports if relevant
- Written assessment report and recommendations
Most initial assessments take 90–120 minutes total, including report preparation.
Typical cost: approximately $380–$450, depending on the time required and location, and in line with NDIS 2025–26 price limits.
This applies to assessments delivered:
- In a clinic
- In your home
- By a mobile occupational therapist in Melbourne
Tip: Always confirm with your NDIS service provider what the assessment includes and how time is allocated, so you can budget accurately.
5. Are Travel Fees Charged for Home or Community OT Visits?
Yes. If you choose home visit occupational therapy or community-based sessions, travel costs may apply.
NDIS Travel Rules (2025–26)
- Travel labour time can be charged at up to 50% of the applicable hourly therapy rate on a pro-rata basis.
- Non-labour travel costs (e.g., kilometres, tolls, parking) may also apply. Kilometres are capped at $0.99/km, and the shortest reasonable distance must be used.
- NDIS service providers must disclose all travel charges clearly in your service agreement.
- Telehealth sessions do not incur travel fees.
- Time limits may apply, for example, up to 30 minutes of billable travel for a typical 1-hour session in non-rural areas.
- Cancellation policies may reference travel, but providers cannot charge for untraveled kilometres.
For details on travel coverage, see NDIS travel cost rules.
6. Does Telehealth Occupational Therapy Cost Less?
No. Telehealth occupational therapy is billed at the same hourly rate as in-person sessions:
- Metropolitan: $193.99 per hour
- Remote: $271.59 per hour
- Very remote: $290.99 per hour
Advantages of telehealth include:
- No travel charges, saving time and cost
- Flexible scheduling for families
- Suitable for reviews, parent coaching, and many ADHD-related OT activities
- Especially helpful for participants with mobility challenges or limited local services
These benefits reflect operational efficiencies rather than formal NDIS rate changes, making telehealth a convenient option without affecting the official hourly cap.
7. Are There Extra Charges for Reports, Equipment Letters, or Cancellations?
Extra charges may apply, but only if they are clearly outlined and agreed upon in your service agreement. All costs must comply with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2025–26.
Common allowable charges include:
- Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) requested by the NDIA, which often require itemization under capacity-building supports
- Assistive technology or equipment recommendation letters, especially for complex needs or plans over $15,000, including trial bookings if applicable
- Short-notice cancellations, typically allowed if less than 2 business days’ notice is provided, as specified in your service agreement
Important prohibitions:
- Providers cannot charge hidden, gap, or unauthorised fees, including credit card surcharges
- Invoices must match NDIS price limits exactly
- Travel or preparation time must be pre-agreed and separated, with no unexpected costs
Tip: Always review your service agreement to ensure transparency and compliance with NDIS rules, protecting you from surprise fees.
8. How Can I Maximise My NDIS Occupational Therapy Funding?
Rather than negotiating prices, most participants focus on getting the most value from their OT budget. Strategies include:
- Choosing the Right Session Format: Select telehealth, clinic, or in-home OT options to reduce travel costs. Telehealth often lowers fees by avoiding provider travel or clinic overheads. Clinic-based or telehealth sessions explicitly reduce expenses compared to home visits.
- Scheduling Efficiently: Grouping sessions back-to-back or in blocks helps you use your funding more effectively. This approach fits within NDIS capacity building budgets and can stretch your plan over the funding period without changing approved amounts.
- Combining Coaching with Therapy: Incorporate parent or carer coaching into OT sessions. This evidence-based approach enhances outcomes by blending direct therapy with real-life skills training, maximising the value of each session.
- Confirming Non-Face-to-Face Activities: Ensure that non-face-to-face activities (e.g., report writing, planning, or preparation) are included in session pricing. Under the 2025–26 NDIS framework, these are typically bundled into session rates, so your funded supports are fully utilised.
For a detailed guide, see maximising your NDIS plan for therapy.
9. Which NDIS Budget Covers Occupational Therapy?
NDIS occupational therapy is funded under capacity building – improved daily living.
Common item number: 15_617_0118_1_3
This funding can support:
- Functional skill development
- Ongoing therapy sessions and goal reviews
- Parent or carer coaching
- Occupational therapy assessments and support for ADHD, focusing on daily living and self-management
Funding can be managed through:
- Self-managed
- Plan-managed
- NDIA-managed
Your management type determines how invoices are paid, not the maximum hourly rates or price limits for therapy. Learn more about NDIS funding and support categories.
10. Does the NDIS Fund Occupational Therapy for ADHD?
Yes, NDIS occupational therapy can support ADHD when the focus is on functional capacity, not diagnosis alone.
NDIS-funded OT may include:
- Occupational therapy for ADHD to support routines, organisation, and emotional regulation
- Occupational therapy activities for ADHD that build attention and self-management
- Occupational therapy exercises for ADHD linked to daily living goals
- Occupational therapy assessments for ADHD identifying functional impact at home, school, or work
Participants seeking ADHD support in Melbourne can access clinic-based, mobile, in-home, or telehealth occupational therapy, provided ADHD-related goals are documented in their NDIS plan. See how a mobile occupational therapist supports kids with ADHD.
How to Make the Most of Your NDIS Occupational Therapy Budget
To avoid unexpected costs and get the most from your funding:
- Review your service agreement carefully: Check session length, reporting time, and travel charges.
- Ensure your OT supports align with your NDIS goals: This helps maximise outcomes and funding use.
- Compare delivery options: Clinic-based, mobile, in-home, and telehealth sessions may suit different needs. Services like Roaming Therapy offer convenient mobile occupational therapy in Melbourne, bringing support directly to your home or community.
- Understand current pricing: Under the NDIS 2025–26 price limits, the maximum hourly rate for occupational therapy in metropolitan areas (including Melbourne) is $193.99, whether face-to-face or via telehealth.
Understanding NDIS occupational therapy pricing and service options empowers you to choose the right provider, manage your funding confidently, and access high-quality support, whether at home, in the community, or online.
Ready to book your therapy session? Explore Roaming Therapy for flexible, mobile occupational therapy in Melbourne and get the support you need, right where you need it.
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