NDIA releases Annual Price Review

The NDIS Annual Pricing Review (APR) for 2026–27 was released on 22 June and will take effect from 1 July 2026.

OTA is appalled that the review confirms no change to the hourly rate for occupational therapists. Rates have now been frozen for eight consecutive years at $193.99 per hour, despite sustained increases in wages, insurance, compliance and operating costs.

The NDIA's own data points to workforce shortage, rising participant demand and declining provider numbers, yet its benchmarking methodology is preventing it from acting on that evidence.

From 1 July 2026, a new NDIS pricing schedule will change how allied health supports are coded and claimed. Each therapy service will be ‘unbundled’ into six codes – the standard service, and five additional categories for specific types of work. These additional categories use the main service item number with a suffix:

• Non-face-to-face (report writing, preparation, documentation): _NF
• Cancellation: _CA
• Provider travel: _PT
• NDIA requested report: _RR
• Telehealth: _TH

In practice, OTs may find more time is spent on billing and claims management, as they identify the correct category for each support and ensure claims are submitted accurately. This is particularly likely for OTs in private practice or small organisations without dedicated billing support.

We strongly recommend updating your billing and practice management software with the current codes before 1 July to ensure claims are not rejected and work across different categories is captured correctly.

OTA will continue to advocate strongly for a fair price increase and will share further analysis in due course.

Find out what you need to know about this year’s APR here.

Social media day of action

Next Monday 29 June, the No OTs, No NDIS campaign is launching a snap Day of Action in response to the NDIA’s decision to freeze pricing for OTs under the NDIS for an eighth consecutive year. This decision pushes an already stretched workforce closer to breaking point and further limits access to essential supports for people with disability.

This Day of Action will shine a spotlight on the growing workforce crisis and the increasing pressures on people with disability and their families.

On Monday, we will release a No OTs, No NDIS campaign tile on our website. We are calling on OTs, participants, families, allies and supporters to stand with us by posting this tile across your social media pages to show the scale of national support for protecting access to essential therapy. Every voice strengthens the pressure for urgent reform.

Head to the campaign website to download the ‘No OTs, No NDIS’ tile and sign up to the campaign for more information.

Sign up here.

Senate Inquiry releases interim report into NDIS Amendment Bill

The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee has released its interim report on the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026, recommending the Bill be passed subject to three conditions: tabling a reform roadmap, updating the Explanatory Memorandum, and urging states and territories to deliver the jointly agreed $10 billion foundational supports investment. While the Committee acknowledged widespread community concern, it stopped short of recommending any substantive amendments to the Bill’s most contested provisions. 

Over 4,000 submissions were received, representing the voices of people with disability, families, carers, clinicians, advocates, and peak bodies – including OTA. The weight of that evidence was clear and consistent: the Bill poses serious risks to participant safety, independence, and human rights.  

OTA is disappointed that the Committee’s report does not reflect this feedback. Rather than engaging with the substance of submissions, the report defers questions about the Bill’s most controversial provisions to future rules, the Technical Advisory Group, and Explanatory Memorandum clarifications. 

OTA is deeply concerned that the voices of the disability and allied health community have not been heard during this Inquiry. A Bill of this magnitude – one that fundamentally reshapes access, funding, and oversight across the NDIS – deserved a response that confronted the hard questions, not one that passed them down the line. 

NDIS Amendment Bill Inquiry extended

Following the release of their interim report, the Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026 has been extended by eight weeks, with a revised reporting date of 14 August. The extension was secured by the Greens and provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with the inquiry process and advocate for changes to the Bill. The extended inquiry timeline does not rule out further delays. 

As part of negotiations, the Greens have also secured in-principle amendments to the Bill that would: 

• limit ministerial powers to reduce participants' support budgets 
• require greater transparency around automated decision-making 
• strengthen protections for people with disability by preventing access to the NDIS being contingent on undergoing restrictive practices, and ensuring any required treatments are available through the public healthcare system. 
  

You can read OTA’s submission to the NDIS Bill Inquiry here.

NDIA: Increasing integrity checks on older claims

From 18 June 2026, NDIA will be doing extra checks on older claims. At first, NDIA will be checking claims submitted more than 12 months after receiving or delivering a support. NDIA will check to make sure the claims are for NDIS supports. Older claims may be held for up to 28 days while the NDIA complete their checks. NDIA will contact you if they need more information about your claim. 

NDIS participants and providers should claim as soon as possible after an NDIS support is delivered. Timely claiming means self-managed participants can be paid back faster for any out-of-pocket expenses. 

To find out more, see here.

Headspace Plus and Youth Specialist Care Centres

OTA recently responded to the Australian Government's consultation survey on two new youth mental health models: headspace Plus and Youth Specialist Care Centres. OTs are recognised providers under both models. In our response, OTA pushed for a guaranteed place for occupational therapists on every team, and called for smoother, better-resourced transitions so young people don't lose support as they move between services. 

South Australian Government announce OT fee schedule

Return to Work SA, the body that administers and regulates the State’s workers compensation scheme, has confirmed new occupational therapy pricing, commencing 1 July 2026. The new fee for hourly/ rate services is $238.20, representing a small increase of 1.4%. The fee level also applies to mental health OTs. South Australian members should note that, where applicable to a service, GST can be applied in addition to the newly established fee level. 

According to published Return to Work SA schedules, fees charged for the following may be charged under ‘reasonable cost’:

• materials to construct or modify a splint  
• travel costs incurred by claims manager of self-insured employer request over 100km   
• supply, delivery or repairs as recommended by Medical Expert including equipment delivery (wheelchairs, beds etc), and repairs/maintenance to hearing aids, batteries. 
  

Return to Work SA are circulating confirmation letters to all registered practitioners outlining the basis of the fee level determination. See the full schedule here.