For families navigating life with disability in Far North Queensland, accessing the right therapeutic support can feel like finding your way through an unmarked trail. You know your child needs speech pathology to communicate their needs, or perhaps occupational therapy to develop independence in daily tasks. Maybe you’re seeking psychology support to build emotional regulation skills. The National Disability Insurance Scheme promises funding for these essential therapies, but understanding how to access it—particularly in regional areas like Cairns—often feels overwhelming.
If you’ve ever sat at your kitchen table, NDIS plan in hand, wondering which category funds which therapy, or whether your allocated budget will stretch far enough to cover the support your family needs, you’re not alone. With significant changes to NDIS funding rules from 1 July 2025, including the removal of therapy supports from Core budgets, knowing how to navigate the system has become more critical than ever.
This comprehensive guide demystifies NDIS funding for therapy in Cairns and Brisbane, providing clarity on accessing psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services in 2026 and beyond.
What Types of Therapy Does the NDIS Fund in Cairns?
The NDIS funds three primary therapy disciplines under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category: psychology, occupational therapy (OT), and speech pathology. As of January 2026, these therapeutic supports help 751,446 NDIS participants nationwide develop skills, increase independence, and achieve their goals.
Psychology services funded by the NDIS focus on non-clinical, capacity-building supports. This includes developing emotional regulation skills, building social communication abilities, supporting life transitions, and providing functional assessments. However, the NDIS explicitly does not fund clinical psychology services such as risk assessments, diagnostic evaluations for ADHD or ASD, or treatment for specific mental health diagnoses—these remain the responsibility of Medicare and state health services.
Occupational therapy represents one of the most commonly funded NDIS supports, helping participants develop practical skills for everyday living. Funded services include functional capacity evaluations, assistive technology assessments, home safety assessments, skill development programs (cooking, personal care, household management), and prescription of mobility aids or communication devices. For children, OT addresses fine and gross motor development, sensory regulation, and self-care skills.
Speech pathology services support participants with communication and swallowing difficulties. The NDIS funds assessment and diagnosis, individual or group therapy sessions addressing speech sound production, language comprehension, voice quality, fluency, literacy, and safe swallowing, as well as alternative communication support through AAC devices. Parent and caregiver training to support speech development forms an essential component of many speech pathology programs.
A critical change from 1 July 2025 affects all participants: therapeutic Disability-Related Health Supports (DRHS) were removed from Core Supports funding. Psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services can no longer be claimed from Core budgets—all therapy must now come from Capacity Building allocations. This fundamental shift means participants require sufficient Capacity Building funding in their plans to access these essential supports.
How Much Does NDIS-Funded Therapy Cost in Cairns and Brisbane?
Understanding therapy pricing helps participants budget effectively and maximise their plan allocations. The NDIS sets standardised hourly rates for registered providers across Australia, with regional variations for remote areas.
Psychology services are charged at $214.41 per hour for the 2025-26 financial year. This represents the highest hourly rate among the three main therapy disciplines. Intake consultations (30 minutes) cost $107.21, whilst indirect services such as report writing, phone consultations, and correspondence also attract the full hourly rate.
Occupational therapy and speech pathology share identical pricing at $193.99 per hour in metropolitan and regional areas (MMM 1-5, which includes Cairns and Brisbane). Remote areas classified as MMM6 attract higher rates of $271.59 per hour, whilst very remote MMM7 areas are charged $290.99 per hour.
An important cost-saving change implemented from 1 July 2025 reduced provider travel time charges to 50% of the standard hourly rate. For occupational therapy and speech pathology, travel time now costs $97.00 per hour instead of the full $193.99 rate. Psychology travel time is charged at 50% of $214.41. Travel time caps continue to apply: 30 minutes maximum in MMM1-3 areas, and 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas. Non-labour travel costs (fuel, parking, tolls) remain at up to $0.97 per kilometre.
To illustrate practical budgeting, consider a participant with $7,759.60 in annual Capacity Building funding. At standard rates, this allows approximately 40 hours of speech pathology ($193.99/hour), enabling fortnightly hour-long sessions (26 hours annually) whilst reserving 14 hours for other allied health supports like occupational therapy or psychology.
| Therapy Type | Standard Rate (MMM 1-5) | Remote Rate (MMM6) | Very Remote (MMM7) | Travel Time (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $214.41/hour | $300.17/hour | $321.76/hour | $107.21/hour |
| Occupational Therapy | $193.99/hour | $271.59/hour | $290.99/hour | $97.00/hour |
| Speech Pathology | $193.99/hour | $271.59/hour | $290.99/hour | $97.00/hour |
Self-managed participants maintain flexibility to negotiate rates below the NDIS price caps, whilst plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants adhere to standard pricing. The average adult NDIS plan allocates approximately $65,700-$66,000 annually across all support categories, though notably, 21% of adult NDIS budgets remain unutilised, suggesting challenges in accessing or implementing available supports.
Where Can You Access NDIS Therapy Services in Cairns?
Cairns residents benefit from multiple access points for NDIS-funded therapy services, combining face-to-face support with regional coordination resources.
The NDIA Office at 15 Lake Street, Cairns, operates from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, providing direct access to NDIS information and support. For personalised guidance, Mission Australia’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) service at 379 Little Spence Street, Bungalow, offers a deep understanding of local Cairns services and can assist with provider connections and plan navigation.
Families with infants and toddlers experiencing developmental delays can access Early Childhood Partner Services at Shop 2, Noble Drive, Yarrabah. The Early Childhood Approach supports children aged 0-9, with the age limit recently extended from 7 to align with World Health Organisation definitions of early childhood. Children under 6 do not require formal diagnoses if developmental delay is evident, whilst children aged 6-9 may need confirmed diagnoses depending on circumstances.
Regional participants can utilise satellite offices in Mareeba and Innisfail, ensuring therapy access extends beyond the Cairns metropolitan area. For immediate assistance, contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110 or visit www.ndis.gov.au.
Finding registered providers follows a straightforward process using the NDIS Provider Finder tool. Search by postcode (Cairns 4870, Brisbane 4000) and select “therapeutic supports” to display registered psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology providers in your area. Many Cairns-based providers offer online referral forms on their websites, streamlining the initial contact process.
Local Area Coordinators and support coordinators provide valuable provider recommendations based on individual needs and goals. Importantly, self-managed and plan-managed participants can choose registered or non-registered providers, whilst NDIA-managed funding requires registered providers only.
Major registered NDIS therapy providers in the Cairns region include Ability Action Australia (1800 238 958), ARC Disability Services Inc. (established 1976, Cairns’ largest independent local provider), Centacare FNQ at 22-34 Aplin Street, and ND Collective specialising in paediatric occupational therapy. Brisbane participants similarly benefit from extensive provider networks across metropolitan and regional areas.
How Do You Qualify for NDIS Therapy Funding in Cairns?
NDIS therapy funding requires meeting both general NDIS eligibility criteria and demonstrating that requested supports are “reasonable and necessary” for your specific circumstances.
General NDIS eligibility comprises three core requirements:
- Age: Between 0-65 years (or under 9 for Early Childhood Approach)
- Residency: Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a protected Special Category Visa
- Disability: Permanent or likely-to-be-permanent disability significantly impacting everyday functioning
The application process typically takes 21 days from submission of a complete Access Request Form, though complex cases can extend to 120 days. Supporting evidence dated within the previous 12 months is crucial and should include specialist reports from neurologists, psychiatrists, or paediatricians; allied health assessments from occupational therapists, speech pathologists, or physiotherapists; and functional capacity evaluations detailing specific challenges with mobility, communication, or self-care.
Not all NDIS participants automatically receive therapy funding. Psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology supports are provided when they:
- Align directly with the participant’s NDIS goals
- Help build independence and functional life skills
- Improve community and social connection
- Address challenges explicitly linked to disability
- Utilise evidence-based therapeutic strategies
The “reasonable and necessary” criteria evaluate three key principles: direct relationship to disability (support must relate to diagnosed/documented disability, not general healthcare), evidence-based effectiveness (support must be backed by research and clinical guidelines), and value for money (support must represent reasonable cost compared to alternative approaches).
If therapy supports aren’t included in your current plan but you believe they’re necessary, speak with your support coordinator or plan manager about requesting an addition at your next plan review. Early plan reviews can be requested when circumstances change or allocated funding proves insufficient.
For psychology specifically, the NDIS funds capacity-building interventions but excludes clinical services. You cannot access NDIS funding for ADHD diagnostic assessments, PTSD treatment, substance abuse rehabilitation, or crisis support—these services remain available through Medicare and state health systems. This distinction between capacity-building and clinical psychology frequently causes confusion and requires clear documentation in funding requests.
What Happens After Your NDIS Plan Is Approved?
Plan approval marks the beginning of your therapy access journey. Understanding how to implement your plan effectively maximises therapeutic outcomes whilst managing allocated budgets.
Choose your funding management option first. Self-managed participants control funds directly, enjoying maximum flexibility in provider choice and the ability to negotiate rates below NDIS price caps, but assume administrative responsibility for payments and claims. Plan-managed participants engage third-party plan managers to handle financial administration whilst maintaining choice and control over provider selection. NDIA-managed (agency-managed) participants receive the most hands-off option, with the NDIA paying providers directly, but must use NDIS-registered providers only with less flexibility in choice. Hybrid approaches combine different management methods for different support categories.
Locate appropriate providers using the NDIS Provider Finder, online searches, Local Area Coordinator recommendations, or support coordinator referrals. When contacting providers, confirm they offer services in Cairns or Brisbane, verify their NDIS registration status (if required for your management type), discuss their approach and experience with your specific disability or goals, and clarify appointment availability and service delivery options (in-person, telehealth, home visits).
Book initial assessments with selected providers. First appointments typically involve a comprehensive evaluation of current abilities, challenges, and goals; discussion of how therapy can address NDIS plan objectives; development of therapy schedules and treatment approaches; and explanation of how sessions will be documented and invoiced against your plan.
Track your spending meticulously to avoid budget exhaustion. Use digital tools, spreadsheets, or plan management portals to monitor therapy spending and remaining allocations. The statistic that 21% of adult NDIS budgets remain unutilised whilst some participants exhaust budgets early highlights the importance of proactive tracking.
Coordinate between providers when accessing multiple therapy types. Ensure your occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and psychologist communicate about shared goals and complementary strategies. Multidisciplinary coordination prevents duplication, maximises therapeutic benefit, and creates consistent support approaches across home, therapy, and community environments.
Review progress regularly with providers, assessing whether current therapy approaches effectively address goals and whether any adjustments to frequency, intensity, or focus are warranted. Document outcomes to support future plan reviews and funding requests.
Prepare for plan reviews well in advance of plan end dates. Gather evidence of progress, note ongoing and emerging needs, and secure updated reports from therapists supporting continuation or expansion of therapy allocations. Plan reviews occur typically every 12 months, though early reviews can be requested when circumstances change significantly.
Understanding these implementation steps transforms approved NDIS plans from documents into active therapeutic support, helping participants and families access the psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services essential for skill development and independence.
Making Your NDIS Therapy Budget Work Harder
Strategic budget management extends therapy access and maximises therapeutic outcomes within allocated funding.
Prioritise therapy goals at the start of each plan period. Identify high-priority needs requiring intensive support and medium-priority goals that can progress with lower-intensity input. This strategic allocation ensures critical needs receive adequate resources whilst maintaining progress across multiple areas.
Establish clear cancellation policies with providers to avoid losing hours to missed appointments. Most providers require 24-48 hours’ notice for cancellations; late cancellations or no-shows may incur fees that reduce available therapy time.
Leverage home programs and parent training. Work with therapists to develop strategies and exercises families can implement between sessions. This approach extends therapeutic benefit beyond paid contact hours, accelerating progress and building family capacity simultaneously.
Consider group programs where appropriate. Parent training groups, social skills programs, and therapeutic playgroups share costs among participants whilst providing valuable peer learning opportunities. Group services reduce per-participant costs, extending budget reach.
Coordinate therapy blocks to minimise travel costs. Schedule multiple therapy types on the same day or in geographic proximity when possible, reducing total travel time charges across providers.
Request plan reviews proactively when allocated funding proves insufficient for identified needs. Don’t wait until plan end date if current allocations prevent access to reasonable and necessary supports. Early reviews require updated evidence from therapists documenting need for increased funding.
Understand budget flexibility rules under your management type. Self-managed participants enjoy greatest flexibility moving funds between support categories. Plan-managed participants maintain significant flexibility. NDIA-managed participants face more restrictions on budget reallocation.
Avoid common pitfalls including overcommitting to one therapy type whilst neglecting other needs, frequent fund reallocation that disrupts therapy continuity, failing to track spending throughout the plan year, missing invoicing deadlines that delay reimbursement, and not seeking clarification on funding rules when uncertain.
The removal of therapy supports from Core budgets from 1 July 2025 makes strategic Capacity Building allocation more critical than ever. Participants must ensure sufficient Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living funding at plan development to access psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services throughout their plan period.
Supporting Your Journey Through NDIS Therapy Access
Accessing NDIS-funded therapy in Cairns and Brisbane represents more than navigating bureaucratic processes—it’s about unlocking opportunities for growth, independence, and quality of life. Whether you’re supporting a child developing communication skills, an adult building emotional regulation strategies, or a family member regaining abilities after acquired disability, understanding how to access psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology funding empowers you to secure essential supports.
The landscape of NDIS therapy funding continues evolving, with the July 2025 removal of therapeutic supports from Core budgets fundamentally changing how participants access these services. Staying informed about pricing structures, eligibility criteria, and local provider networks in Cairns and Brisbane positions you to make confident decisions about your therapy access.
Remember that Local Area Coordinators at Mission Australia’s Bungalow office, Early Childhood Partners for families with young children, and the NDIA office at Lake Street stand ready to support your navigation of the system. Support coordinators provide invaluable assistance connecting with appropriate providers and managing the practical aspects of therapy access.
The therapeutic journey rarely follows a straight path. Progress may come in unexpected ways, challenges will arise, and plan adjustments will be necessary. What matters is maintaining focus on your goals, advocating effectively for needed supports, and building a collaborative relationship with therapy providers who understand your unique circumstances and aspirations.
Have questions? Need support navigating NDIS therapy funding in Cairns or Brisbane? Reach out to us here at Advanced Disability Management. Our experienced team provides compassionate, personalised guidance to help you access the psychology, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services that support your journey toward independence and wellbeing.
Can I use my NDIS Core budget for speech pathology or occupational therapy in 2026?
No. From 1 July 2025, the NDIS removed therapy supports from Core budgets. Psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, dietitian, podiatry, and social work services must now be claimed from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living funding. This change affects all NDIS participants accessing therapeutic supports. Ensure your NDIS plan includes sufficient Capacity Building allocation to cover needed therapy services throughout your plan period.
How do I find NDIS-registered psychologists in Cairns?
Use the NDIS Provider Finder tool at www.ndis.gov.au, searching by Cairns postcode (4870) and selecting “therapeutic supports” or “psychology” services. Alternatively, contact Mission Australia’s Local Area Coordination service at 379 Little Spence Street, Bungalow, for personalised provider recommendations. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can choose registered or non-registered psychologists, whilst NDIA-managed participants must use registered providers. Verify provider availability, experience with your specific disability, and service delivery options before booking.
What’s the difference between NDIS psychology and Medicare psychology services?
NDIS funds non-clinical psychology focused on capacity building: developing emotional regulation skills, building social communication abilities, supporting life transitions, and functional assessments directly related to disability. Medicare (through Mental Health Treatment Plans) funds clinical psychology for mental health diagnoses, including treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychiatric conditions. The NDIS does not fund diagnostic assessments for ADHD or ASD, risk assessments, crisis support, or treatment for specific mental health disorders—these remain Medicare’s responsibility.
Can children access NDIS-funded speech therapy without a formal diagnosis in Cairns?
Yes, for children under 6 years old. The Early Childhood Approach allows access to NDIS-funded speech pathology, occupational therapy, and psychology without formal diagnosis if developmental delay is evident. Children aged 6-9 may require a confirmed diagnosis depending on circumstances. Contact Early Childhood Partner services in Cairns (Shop 2, Noble Drive, Yarrabah, or call 1800 800 110) to discuss your child’s developmental concerns and eligibility for early intervention supports.
How much speech pathology can I access with a typical NDIS plan?
The average adult NDIS plan allocates approximately $65,700-$66,000 annually across all support categories. If, for example, $7,759.60 is allocated to Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living, this funds approximately 40 hours of speech pathology at the standard rate of $193.99 per hour. This allows for fortnightly hour-long sessions (26 hours annually) whilst reserving hours for other allied health services. Actual allocations vary significantly based on individual needs, goals, and assessments. If allocated funding proves insufficient, request an early plan review with updated reports from therapists documenting ongoing need.
