NDIS Occupational Therapy Services

We offer NDIS access assessments and reports to assist people in demonstrating their eligibility requirements.

In order to access the NDIS, individuals need to demonstrate a substantial impairment in one or more of the required functional domains. Our independent clinical reporting service helps do this.

This process takes between four to ten hours, depending on complexity.

Our Occupational Therapists can provide comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) to support you with:

• Identifying your support needs

• Evidence for plan reassessment

• Evidence for internal review of decision

Your FCA will include the use of relevant standardised assessments recommended by the NDIS as best practice evidence of disability.

Typically, we undertake two appointments, with a duration of two hours each, to complete the assessment. The entire process can take up to 10-20 hours, depending on individual requirements. This will include travel, collation of collateral information, scoring of standardised assessments and report completion.

We can provide Home and Living Assessments such as Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and Individualised Living Options (ILO) assessments. Depending on complexity these can range from 15-25 hours in total.

We offer Assistive Technology (AT) assessments and reports required under the NDIS system. High risk AT requires an assessment by an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or other suitably qualified professional.

For further information about how the NDIS defines and funds assistive technology, visit their website.

Our initial appointment for such services is approximately 2 hours in duration (plus therapist travel time).

Equipment trials are usually around one hour per item (plus therapist travel time). We aim to work as efficiently as possible assessing for multiple equipment items at the same time where possible.

Please note: It’s a requirement for all mid and high cost assistive technology items to be trialled with the OT or Physio present.

Comprehensive mid cost ($1,500-$14,999) assistive technology support letters are provided to ensure all reasonable and necessary criteria are addressed.

Our high cost (over $15,000) assistive technology reports are completed on the NDIS AT template form. Most items of AT require separate reports to meet the NDIS requirements.

After the appointment and trial, our report for the first item of AT usually takes around three hours. Subsequent reports we estimate one to two hours each.

Our initial appointment is conducted within the home to determine your needs and the environment for use of the specific item. This appointment usually takes us one and a half to two hours.

This is followed up by a second appointment (usually in the seating clinic of one of the suppliers) in order to select and trial appropriate item(s) and to take measurements for scripting. Typically, a further trial of the appropriate item(s) is undertaken in the home. The supplier is then able to provide a detailed quote which can be attached to the OT report in order for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to make a decision on the application.

These reports usually take between three to four hours to complete.

An ActivOT Occupational Therapist will visit the participant at home to determine the scope of the modifications to determine which category it falls into.

1. Home Adaptations - we are able to assist with prescribing and organising simple home modifications such as ramps up to 35mm high, grab rails, magnetic door catches, platform steps, handheld shower hoses, lever taps etc. Generally, these can be funded as low cost AT through your consumable budget in your core funding and do not require NDIS approval. While no report is usually required by the scheme to implement these modifications it generally takes between four to six hours to provide the assessment/ recommendations and then provide photographic specifications/diagrams to the builders and organise quotes for the participant’s approval.

2. Minor Home Modifications (MHM) - home modifications between $1,500 and $20,000 are completed through the minor home modifications process. Examples of minor modifications may include, ramps, simple bathroom, kitchen and laundry modifications, door widening, flooring, door automation. The report is completed on the Minor Modifications template.

3. Complex Home Modifications (CHM) - home modifications over $20,000 or that require structural changes are completed through the complex home modifications process. Examples of complex modifications may include ceiling hoists, complex bathroom modifications, complex kitchen modifications.

For minor home modifications and complex home modifications, further visits are needed for our occupational therapist to meet with the builder(s) onsite. Depending on the scope of works, two quotes may be required by the NDIA.

A rough guide for such OT services is approximately 10-15 for minor home modifications and 15-20 hours for complex home modifications.

These time estimates include reports completed on the NDIA required templates.

Useful information on home modifications can be found on the NDIS website.

Our Occupational Therapists utilise environmental analysis and standardised assessments such as:

• Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP)

• Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2)

• Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2)

This information is then used to provide you with a sensory diet and recommendations to implement in various environments.

Our Occupational Therapists can provide programs that address areas, such as:

• Independent living skills training

• Cognitive and executive functioning (including Mental Health capacity building - for more information click here)

• Manual handling training and care plans

• Gross and fine motor skills

• Training in the use of mobility aids and other assistive technology

• Employment and work skill readiness

• Social skills and emotional regulation

Where appropriate our OTs will utilise Therapy Assistants to ensure cost effective use of your NDIS funding.

If you would like more specific information about how our practitioners can support you in these and other areas, please get in touch with our team. From there, we can match you with the practitioner who is the best fit.

Our mobile physiotherapists support participants to improve their physical function, mobility, and independence. We work with people of all ages and abilities, delivering evidence-based therapy tailored to each individual’s goals. This may include:

• Gait and mobility training

• Manual handling care plans and training

• Falls prevention

• Assistive Technology and Mobility Aid prescription

We collaborate closely with participants, families, and support teams to ensure therapy is functional, person-centred, and aligned with NDIS plan goals.