Navigating NDIS Funding for Your Child's Therapy

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed access to therapy and support for thousands of Australian children and families. But for many parents, the process of accessing, understanding, and making the most of NDIS funding can feel bewildering.

At Queensland Therapy Center, we work with NDIS participants every day, and we're very familiar with the questions families have. This guide is intended to give you a practical overview of how the NDIS works, what types of funding are available for therapy, and how to make your plan work as hard as possible for your child.

Is My Child Eligible for the NDIS?

To be eligible for the NDIS, a person must be younger than 65 on the day they apply, live in Australia, and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a Protected Special Category visa holder. They also need to meet either the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements.

• Disability requirements: a disability that is likely to be permanent and substantially affects their ability to take part in daily activities.
• Early intervention requirements: support early in life that is likely to reduce how much support a child needs in the future. Children younger than 6 with developmental delay can also be eligible this way, without a diagnosis of a permanent disability.

Common diagnoses that may support an NDIS application include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, global developmental delay, Down syndrome, and hearing or vision impairment.

Children Younger Than 9: The Early Childhood Approach

If your child is younger than 9, the NDIS early childhood approach connects your family with an early childhood partner, a local organisation funded by the NDIS. The partner can help even if your child is not eligible for the NDIS: they can connect you with community and mainstream services, information and other families, and help you apply for the NDIS if your child is likely to be eligible.

Children younger than 6 with developmental concerns can also get short-term early supports through the partner, without a diagnosis.

Understanding Your Child's NDIS Plan

Once a child is approved for the NDIS, they receive an individualised plan with a funding budget. Therapy, including speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology, typically falls under Capacity Building, specifically within the Improved Daily Living category. Behaviour support sits in a different Capacity Building category, Improved Relationships.

Capacity Building funding is "stated", which means it can't be moved from one category to another. It is worth checking that your child's plan has funding in each category they need.

How to Use NDIS Funding with Queensland Therapy Center

Queensland Therapy Center is a registered NDIS provider. We accept all three management types: NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed. When you first contact us, let us know your child is an NDIS participant and share their plan goals.

We see children from age 2 for speech pathology, occupational therapy and autism support, at our clinic in Runcorn or at home, kindy or school.

Plan Reassessments: Making the Most of Them

NDIS plans have regular check-ins and a reassessment date, when the NDIS decides on your child's next plan. If your child's needs change significantly before then, you, your child's nominee or child representative can ask for an earlier reassessment, using the NDIS form and with evidence of a significant and ongoing change. A provider can't ask on your behalf.

Our therapists provide comprehensive progress reports that clearly describe what goals have been worked on and what progress has been made, which can be part of that evidence.

From 1 October 2026, the NDIS is reducing the Improved Daily Living budget, where therapy sits, as plans are created or reassessed. It helps to plan sessions around your child's goals and the funding in their plan.

If you disagree with an NDIS decision about your child's plan, you can ask the NDIS for an internal review within 3 months of receiving the decision.

Getting Support to Navigate the NDIS

You don't have to navigate the NDIS alone. Support Coordinators are NDIS-funded professionals who can help you understand your plan, connect with providers, and ensure your funding is being used effectively.

Taking the First Step

If your child doesn't yet have an NDIS plan and you think they may be eligible, the first step is to contact the NDIS directly at 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au to begin the access process. If your child is younger than 9, you can also start with an early childhood partner.

Our guide to NDIS funding for autism explains this year's NDIS changes in more detail.