NDIS Therapeutic Supports in 2026: What's Changing, What's Staying, and What It Means for You

Every year, many Australians with disabilities depend on the NDIS therapeutic support that allows them to become more independent and self-assured while also forming connections. As we approach 2026 and prepare for the changes in NDIS service guidelines, lots of participants and their families are curious about what the NDIS currently pays for and how these changes will impact their plans.

Well, the good news is that most of the essential therapies people depend on remain fully supported. But the NDIS is placing a clearer emphasis on how therapy is delivered, why it's needed, and how it leads to real, measurable progress.

This guide highlights the new expectations and provides additional information for participants. So, whether you are seeking therapy for yourself, someone you care about, or someone you assist, this is essential reading for you.

NDIS Building Clearer Expectations in 2026

What are the Therapies Still Funded in 2026

The core therapeutic supports remain unchanged in 2026. The NDIS continues to fund essential therapies when they're connected to your goals and backed by functional evidence.

Here's what continues to be supported:

• Occupational Therapy: OT helps you learn essential daily skills, gain more independence, and feel better about doing the things that are important to you. This can include things like cooking, getting dressed, managing senses, staying safe at home, and using devices that assist you.
• Physiotherapy: The title says it all. It focuses on making you stronger, helping you move better, improving your balance, and taking part in your daily activities.
• Speech Pathology: This field covers many activities aimed at improving how you communicate, ensuring safe swallowing, developing your language skills, and enhancing your social interactions.
• Psychology & Behavior Support: This service assists individuals in dealing with their feelings, creating strategies for their behavior, building toughness in challenging times, and enhancing their overall mental health.
• Exercise Physiology: The goal is to maintain your physical ability and ensure safe movement through custom exercise plans.
• Therapy Assistants: Funding is still available when a qualified assistant runs programs with the help of your healthcare professionals.

These therapies are important because they enable people to lead more independent lives, and the NDIS understands their lasting benefits.

What's New or Clearer in 2026?

Instead of adding new rules, the NDIS is simply defining expectations more clearly. These updates mainly affect how therapists justify therapy, not whether the therapy itself is valuable.

Here's what the Agency is focusing on:

What's Not Funded or Has Stricter Requirements in 2026

The NDIS hasn't banned or removed any therapy types. But it is clearer about which ones require extra evidence before approval.

How These Changes Affect Your NDIS Plan

If you are getting ready for a new plan or having your plan checked again, here is how these changes will affect what you go through:

• Your goals are now more important: Your therapy needs to directly relate to your goals; being clear about this helps get approvals easier and more reliably.
• Evidence is very important: Current evaluations from your health team help planners see your needs without making assumptions.
• Progress is part of the discussion: They won't judge you on how quickly you improve, but planners do want to understand how therapy is helpful, or why it is still needed.
• You will have clearer answers: With better rules for decision-making, it's simpler to see why certain supports are accepted, changed, or turned down.

A Helpful Checklist to Get Ready for 2026

Here's an easy and useful list to ensure your therapy supports are properly included in your next plan:

• Write down goals that are clear and important to you.
• Talk to your therapists about getting the latest evaluations on your progress.
• Ask for documents that show specific results and deadlines.
• Collect examples of how therapy benefits your everyday life.
• Share any challenges if your progress has been slower than expected.
• If you have a support coordinator, bring them along; they can really help.

Getting ready like this can make your planning meeting feel more relaxed and empowering.

Admire Care Will Help You Navigate the NDIS Therapeutic Support

Understanding NDIS changes can get tricky, especially when every detail in a report seems important. But you don’t have to do this alone. Admire Care is here to help you understand the therapeutic support rules, set clear goals, collect the right information, and connect with the supportive therapy that really helps you.

If you are getting ready for a plan review of NDIS therapeutic support in 2026, or even if you just want to know what these updates mean for you or your family, we are ready to assist you with kindness, clarity, and know-how.

FAQs

1. Are therapies being cut this year?

No, the core therapies remain funded. The NDIS is simply applying clearer guidelines.

2. Will creative therapies still be approved?

Yes, when they are goal-driven, clinically supported, and delivered by qualified practitioners.

3. Do I really need new reports?

Updated functional assessments usually strengthen your application and help avoid delays.

4. Is telehealth still okay to use in WA?

Absolutely. It continues to be funded when clinically appropriate.