The OT’s guide to Navigating the NDIS
This two-day professional development workshop will equip occupational therapists with the foundation knowledge and clinical confidence required to deliver effective, scheme aligned services within the NDIS. It is ideal for new and experienced OTs alike – this workshop blends policy understanding and real world application.
Program Overview
Day One will provide a structured introduction to the NDIS
- NDIS 101 – The Basics & Practical Skills
- Understanding the purpose, principles, and funding structure of the NDIS
- Role of OT within the scheme
- How to navigate terminology and build participant capacity
- Navigating the New NDIS Rules & Operational Guidelines
- Key legislative reforms and what they mean for service delivery
- Translating Section 33 and the new “Supports for Participants” rule into practice
- Recognising what is (and isn’t) likely to be funded
- Billable Time and the NDIS
- How to track, structure, and justify time spent across clinical and administrative tasks
- Strategies for achieving sustainable caseloads and meeting provider expectations
- Assistive Technology and the NDIS
- Understanding the AT pathway, including recent changes under PACE
- Clinical tips for efficient trials, quoting, and report writing
- What considered reasonable and necessary – and what’s not
Day Two will focus on assessment, reporting and evidencing supports for funding decisions
- NDIS Assessment & Reporting Fundamentals
- Understanding the purpose and audience of your reports (NDIA, Support Coordinators, ART)
- Structuring reports to align with NDIS language and funding criteria
- Justifying supports using the “reasonable and necessary” framework
- Translating clinical observations into functional evidence
- Home & Living – Assessing SIL, SDA and ILO Supports
- Overview of Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Individualised Living Options (ILO)
- Clarifying eligibility, evidence requirements, and the OTs role in assessment
- Clinical reasoning for determining 24/7 support needs
- Functional Assessments
- What is a functional assessment under the NDIS?
- How to assess functional impact of disability vs health conditions
- Key domains to address: mobility, self-care, cognition, and more
- Tools, templates, and best-practice approaches for early-career and experienced OTs alike
Who can enrol
This session is suitable for OTs at any career stage who work with NDIS participants.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Monday 16th March 2026 to Tuesday 17th March 2026 (2 days)
TIME:
9am – 5:00pm both days
Registration commences at 8:30am each day
VENUE
Adelaide CBD – Venue to be confirmed
CPD HOURS: Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 13 hours
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
INCLUSIONS:
The following are included in your registration:
- Tea & Coffee on arrival
- Daily Catering - Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (please note any dietary requirements at time of registration)
- Workshop Manual
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD - Book on or before 14th February 2026
OTA Member: $870
OTA Student / New Graduate Member: $780
Non Member: $1130
STANDARD – Book on or after 15th February 2026
OTA Member: $960
OTA Student / New Graduate Member: $870
Non Member: $1250
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
RSVPS close at 11:55pm on 4th March 2026
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST
DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Sarah Collison
Occupational Therapist and Director of Verve OT
Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and the Director of Verve OT, specialising in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. She leads a team of 55 OTs servicing the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions, delivering in-home and community-based supports to NDIS participants. As a trainer and presenter, Sarah has educated thousands of OTs across Australia, equipping them to confidently navigate the complexities of the NDIS. She is the founder of Verve OT Learning, and education hub that empowers OTs to deliver high quality, evidence-based services.