How much does NDIS therapy cost in 2026–27?
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) sets the maximum hourly price a registered provider can charge for each allied health therapy. This NDIS budget calculator uses the current NDIS price limits, effective 1 July 2026, so you can estimate how many therapy sessions your plan will fund before you commit to a service agreement.
Most therapy supports — occupational therapy, speech pathology and physiotherapy — sit under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget. Prices are higher in remote and very remote areas to reflect the real cost of delivering support, and an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) can deliver parts of a therapy program at a much lower hourly rate, letting your plan go further.
NDIS therapy price limits — effective 1 July 2026
| Support / therapy | National | Remote | Very remote |
|---|
| Occupational Therapy | $193.99 | $271.59 | $290.99 |
| Speech Pathology | $193.99 | $271.59 | $290.99 |
| Physiotherapy | $183.99 | $257.59 | $275.99 |
| Psychology | $252.99 | $354.19 | $379.49 |
| Dietitian | $178.99 | $250.59 | $268.49 |
| Podiatry | $188.99 | $264.59 | $283.49 |
| Exercise Physiology | $161.99 | $226.79 | $242.99 |
| Counselling | $156.16 | $218.62 | $234.24 |
| Art Therapy | $156.16 | $218.62 | $234.24 |
| Specialist Behaviour Support | $252.99 | $354.19 | $379.49 |
| Therapy Assistant – Level 1 | $56.16 | $78.62 | $84.24 |
| Therapy Assistant – Level 2 | $86.79 | $121.51 | $130.19 |
Rates are the maximum hourly price limits (per hour) from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits / NDIS Pricing Schedule, effective 1 July 2026. Providers may charge less. This tool gives an estimate only and is not a quote or financial advice — always confirm current pricing at ndis.gov.au and in your service agreement.
NDIS support item codes — 9+ vs early childhood
Each therapy uses a different NDIS support item number depending on the participant’s pathway. Children under 9 accessing early childhood supports use the Early Childhood (ECI) item; participants aged 9 and over use the standard therapy item. The hourly price is the same on both pathways — the only exception is “Other Professional / behaviour therapy”, which is $156.16 for ages 9+ and $193.99 under 9 (billed as an Early Childhood professional). Use the Participant age toggle in the calculator to switch pathways and see the matching code.
| Therapy | Item code – 9 years & over | Item code – under 9 (ECI) |
|---|
| Occupational Therapy | 01_661_0128_1_3 | 01_650_0118_1_3 |
| Speech Pathology | 01_665_0128_1_3 | 01_653_0118_1_3 |
| Physiotherapy | 01_721_0128_1_3 | 01_720_0118_1_3 |
| Psychology | 01_701_0128_1_3 | 01_700_0118_1_3 |
| Dietitian | 01_760_0128_3_3 | 01_760_0118_1_3 |
| Podiatry | 01_663_0128_1_3 | 01_663_0118_1_3 |
| Exercise Physiology | 12_027_0128_3_3 | 15_609_0118_1_3 |
| Counselling | 15_043_0128_1_3 | 15_606_0118_1_3 |
| Art Therapy | 15_610_0128_1_3 | 15_610_0118_1_3 |
| Other Professional / Behaviour Therapy | 01_741_0128_1_3 | 01_740_0118_1_3 |
| Specialist Behaviour Support | 11_022_0110_7_3 | 11_022_0110_7_3 |
| Therapy Assistant – Level 1 | 15_052_0128_1_3 | 15_007_0118_1_3 |
| Therapy Assistant – Level 2 | 15_053_0128_1_3 | 15_008_0118_1_3 |
What changed in the 1 July 2026 NDIS pricing update?
The latest annual pricing review increased the price limit for psychology and specialist behaviour support to $252.99 per hour (national), and reduced the limits for dietetics ($178.99) and exercise physiology ($161.99). New national price limits also apply to counselling and art therapy ($156.16 per hour). Occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, podiatry and therapy assistant rates were unchanged.
Example: what a typical NDIS plan funds
Based on standard (national) 1-hour sessions at the 1 July 2026 price limits:
- A $16,000 Improved Daily Living budget covers roughly 82 occupational therapy or speech pathology sessions ($193.99/hr), or about 63 psychology sessions ($252.99/hr).
- A $10,000 budget covers about 51 speech therapy sessions — or around 178 hours of Allied Health Assistant (Level 1) support ($56.16/hr).
- Choosing remote or very remote pricing, or adding provider travel, reduces the number of sessions your budget funds.
Enter your own budget in the calculator above for a figure tailored to your plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does NDIS occupational therapy or speech therapy cost per hour?
From 1 July 2026 the national NDIS price limit for both occupational therapy and speech pathology is $193.99 per hour. In remote areas it rises to $271.59 and in very remote areas to $290.99 per hour.
What are the NDIS price limits for psychology and behaviour support in 2026–27?
Psychology and specialist behaviour support are both capped at $252.99 per hour nationally ($354.19 remote, $379.49 very remote) under the pricing arrangements effective 1 July 2026.
Are NDIS therapy prices higher in regional and remote areas?
Yes. Remote (MMM 6) supports are priced about 40% above the national rate and very remote (MMM 7) about 50% above, to reflect the higher cost of delivering therapy in those areas. Select your location in the calculator above to apply the correct rate.
Can an Allied Health Assistant help my NDIS budget go further?
Often, yes. A Therapy/Allied Health Assistant can deliver parts of a therapy program under a therapist’s supervision at $56.16 (Level 1) or $86.79 (Level 2) per hour — well below a full therapist rate — so your plan funds more sessions. Toggle AHA delivery in the calculator to compare.
Is this an official NDIS quote?
No. This calculator gives an estimate based on published NDIS maximum price limits to help you plan. It is not financial advice or a quote. Your actual costs are set in your service agreement, and you should confirm current pricing at ndis.gov.au.
How much does NDIS pay for occupational therapy?
The NDIS price limit for occupational therapy is $193.99 per hour nationally from 1 July 2026 ($271.59 remote, $290.99 very remote). A registered provider cannot charge above this limit for OT delivered under Improved Daily Living.
How many therapy sessions does an NDIS plan fund?
It depends on your budget and the therapy. For example, a $16,000 therapy budget funds about 82 one-hour occupational therapy sessions at $193.99/hr. Use the calculator above to estimate sessions for your own plan and mix of services.
Is speech therapy covered by the NDIS?
Yes. Speech pathology is funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living, at a national price limit of $193.99 per hour for 2026–27. Early childhood (under 9) and 9-and-over pathways share the same price but use different support item codes.
What is the difference between the early childhood and 9-and-over NDIS pathways?
Children under 9 accessing early childhood supports use Early Childhood (ECI) support item codes (item group 0118); participants 9 and over use the standard therapy items (group 0128). The hourly price is the same on both pathways for most therapies — only “Other Professional / behaviour therapy” differs ($156.16 for 9+, $193.99 under 9). Switch the participant age toggle to see the matching code.
Does this calculator include NDIS travel costs?
Yes — turn on the Travel option to add provider travel (charged at up to 50% of the hourly rate for travel time, plus a per-kilometre amount). Travel reduces the number of sessions your budget funds, so including it gives a more realistic estimate.
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