Key changes and updates to NDIS funding and how to claim from 1 July 2025 that you need to know
Thursday 24 July 2025
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has made changes to funding recently, including how providers can claim for travel and how Disability-Related Health Supports (DRHS) are funded.
We wanted to update members to make sure you don’t get caught out.
This blog explains:
- The Annual Pricing Review
- Removal of Disability-Related Health Supports from Core
- New NDIS Travel Claim Rules for Therapy Providers
The Annual Pricing Review
Every year the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) gathers information to review the pricing arrangements and price limits that registered NDIS providers use.
The annual update to 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) came into effect on 1 July 2025 and is shaped by the 2024–25 Annual Pricing Review (APR).
For more information on the changes read our blog National Disability Insurance Scheme Annual Pricing Review Report 2024-25.
Removal of Disability-Related Health Supports from Core
The 2024-25 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) set a timeline for removing therapeutic Disability-Related Health Supports (DRHS) line items from Core.
NDIS definition: Disability-related health supports are health supports that relate to the things you can and can’t do because of your disability.
From 2019, DRHS could be claimed from both Core and Capacity Building. The temporary duplication gave participants access to potentially vital supports from Core, rather than wait for a plan review to get funds in Capacity Building.
From 1 July 2025, the NDIS no longer allows therapy supports to be claimed from your Core budget. Therapy must now only be claimed under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. If you or your provider try to claim therapy from Core after this date, it won’t be paid.
The NDIA said this change is to make the system clearer.
Who does this affect?
This change applies to everyone who uses therapy supports in their NDIS plan. That includes support from:
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Speech pathologists
- Psychologists
- Dietitians
- Podiatrists
- Social workers (when providing therapy)
What can still come from Core?
- Nursing supports
- Some low-cost assistive technology
What can you do?
We know many people have relied on Core budgets to cover therapy when Capacity Building funds were low or inflexible. This shift could leave people without enough support if their plan does not cover enough in Capacity Building.
- Check if your therapy is claimed from Core
- Make sure there’s enough funding in Capacity Building for your supports
- At your next plan review, ask for therapy to be clearly included under Improved Daily Living
Every person with disability deserves access to the supports they need.
If you’ve been affected or have concerns, we encourage you to raise it with your planner or support coordinator, and let us know your experience.
New NDIS Travel Claim Rules for Therapy Providers
The NDIA released new rules about how therapy providers can claim for travel time. These changes apply from 1 July 2025.
What is changing?
Therapy providers can only claim half the hourly price limit for time spent travelling. This still needs to stay within the existing time limits (based on location).
Example:
If a physiotherapist has a price limit of $183.99/hour, they can now claim $92.00/hour for travel time, up to the allowed travel time cap.
What hasn’t changed?
Providers can still claim for non-labour travel costs like:
- Road tolls
- Parking
- Fuel or car running costs
They can also ask you to cover other reasonable travel costs (like flights or accommodation) if you both agree, especially for remote or very remote areas.
Reminder for participants
- No extra charges: Providers can’t add extra costs like ‘gap fees’ or credit card fees.
- Invoices must match price limits: Plan Managers can’t pay invoices above the NDIS price limit – this applies to all providers, registered or not.
- Be clear on invoices: Travel time and therapy time must be shown separately.
Why is this changing?
The NDIA says some participants are using their funding much faster than expected due to travel charges. The update aims to:
- Keep travel costs in line with the service provided
- Help participants get better value from their budgets
- Encourage more efficient travel planning by providers
Ends | Contact Us