New guide to making a submission on NDIS reforms

As we shared last week, the NDIA is seeking feedback on proposed NDIS reforms that could have significant implications for occupational therapists, participants and the way supports are accessed and delivered.

If you’re considering making your own submission, OTA has developed a practical guide to help. It outlines the key areas of consultation, what the proposed changes could mean for OT practice and participants, and the issues you may want to consider when providing feedback.

Your submission doesn’t need to be long or complex. Sharing your experience, concerns and examples from practice can help ensure occupational therapy perspectives are heard as the new rules are developed.

Download the guide and have your say here.

OTA joins disability reform roundtable with Minister McAllister

Last Friday, OTA's interim CEO Leanne Healey joined Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and other allied health representatives for a roundtable with Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister on the future of disability supports in Australia. The discussion covered critical issues as NDIS reforms progress, including continuity of access to allied health supports, functional capacity assessments, support determinations, pricing and workforce sustainability. OTA welcomed the opportunity to raise our concerns, solutions and advice directly with Minister McAllister and will continue working alongside AHPA to ensure occupational therapy and allied health perspectives are heard as reforms progress.

IHACPA releases residential aged care pricing advice

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has released its Residential Aged Care Pricing Advice 2026-27, recommending an AN-ACC price of $303.19 per national weighted activity unit from 1 October 2026. The recommendation incorporates increases associated with wages, superannuation, inflation and other costs of delivering care.

OTA welcomes IHACPA’s continued recognition of the important role allied health professionals play in restorative care, and its commitment to ensuring allied health costs are recognised in residential aged care cost collections and AN-ACC pricing advice.

IHACPA has also committed to continuing to examine activity and cost data to better understand the cost of delivering allied health care, and to working with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to investigate allied health as a strategic priority.

OTA will continue advocating for residential aged care funding arrangements that support meaningful access to occupational therapy and other allied health services, recognising their important role in maintaining residents’ independence, function, participation and quality of life.

Read more here: IHACPA’s Residential Aged Care Pricing Advice 2026-27

Thriving Kids update

Thriving Kids will begin rolling out from 1 October. Families, communities and people who work with and support children will have access to information about child development, developmental delay and autism.

Initially, Thriving Kids will provide:

• communication and awareness raising about child development, developmental difference and Thriving Kids
• a national Digital Hub with information and resources on child development, developmental delay and difference, including where to find supports
• national phone supports to provide information and advice on how to connect with the right support. This will include Medicare Thriving Kids to support families who have questions about a child’s development or behaviour. It will also include an Autism Helpline to provide trusted information for families of autistic children or children who may be on a journey to a diagnosis of autism.

To find out more visit:

• About Thriving Kids | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• State and territory governments | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

DVA Allied Health Cap consultation opens

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has opened consultation on the proposed $5,000 annual cap on allied health services for veterans, announced in the May Budget.

OTA attended a virtual community health forum on 2 September, where DVA reiterated the Government’s intention to suspend the DVA treatment cycle, increase fees for occupational therapists to align with the NDIS and introduce an annual $5,000 cap on allied health expenditure per veteran.

DVA was unable to provide further detail on how ‘valid clinical need’ would be defined under the proposed cap or what review pathways would be available for veterans requiring services above the $5,000 limit. DVA also confirmed that its estimate of average annual allied health expenditure per veteran had been revised from $1,900 to $2,600.

Concerns about the proposed changes were also raised in Canberra on 7 September, when veterans protested at Federation Mall before meeting Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh. Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has also indicated that his party intends to introduce legislation to scrap the proposed cap.

OTA will continue to work closely with our DVA National Reference Group and advocate for members and veterans as the consultation progresses. This builds on meetings held in August with Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael McCormack and the office of Minister Keogh.

OTA members who submitted an EOI as part of the consultation process should note that DVA will hold a community health forum specifically for health professionals on 30 September. Consultation closes 30 October.

Seeking member input – Senate inquiry into women’s health

The Australian Senate established the Select Committee on Women’s Health on 19 August this year to examine a broad range of issues affecting women’s health, including pregnancy and postpartum care, access to allied health services, persistent pain, fertility and assisted reproduction, and related healthcare policy and research.

OTA is preparing a submission to the Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health and is seeking input from members with relevant clinical experience or expertise.

If you work in women’s health or a related area and would like to contribute clinical insights, evidence or examples to help inform OTA’s submission, please contact the Policy and Advocacy team at policy@otaus.com.au.

Submissions to the inquiry close 9 October, with the Committee due to report by 18 August 2027. Further information on the terms of reference and making a submission can be found here.