Published: Thursday 4 December 2025
OTA releases Advice to Governments Paper on Foundational Supports for People with Psychosocial Support Needs
OTA this week released its new Advice to Governments paper on foundational supports for people with psychosocial support needs, launched by Chief Occupational Therapist Michelle Oliver. Developed in close consultation with occupational therapists specialising in mental health, the paper outlines practical steps governments can take to ensure current reforms and emerging systems genuinely meet the needs of the many Australians requiring psychosocial supports.
The paper details OTA’s vision for an expanded national system capable of harnessing the full potential of the occupational therapy workforce. It also provides clear recommendations for immediate and short- to medium-term action to strengthen service pathways, improve outcomes and build a more responsive, integrated mental health ecosystem.
NDIA opens consultation for 2025–26 Annual Pricing Review
NDIS participants, providers and community stakeholders are invited to contribute to the 2025–26 Annual Pricing Review, which will focus on five key support areas:
- Disability Support Worker–related supports: indexation and alignment with Industrial Award changes
- Therapy supports: benchmarking against health markets
- Support coordination: registration-based price differentiation
- Plan management: pricing, payment approaches and market concentration
- Social, Community and Civic Participation (SCCP): comprehensive market analysis with potential differentiated pricing
Consultation is open until 8 February 2026. OTA will prepare a submission emphasising the value of occupational therapy across the NDIS and advocating for appropriate recognition of OTs in scheme sustainability and participant outcomes, and appropriate remuneration for provider travel.
More information is available at: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11015-have-your-say-ndis-pricing-ahead-2025-26-review
NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee – Further Consultation Open
The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) has launched a new round of consultation on six specific disability supports:
- Art therapy
- Functional electrical stimulation
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Music therapy
- Prosthetics with microprocessors
- Therapy suits
The EAC is seeking input from people who use or may use these supports, researchers, and any interested members of the public. Feedback is sought on who uses each support, how and why they are used, and other comparable supports that may achieve similar outcomes.
Insights gathered, along with published evidence, will inform Government advice regarding the safety, suitability and cost-effectiveness of these supports. Consultation is open until 11:59 pm AEST on 20 January 2026.
Further details are available on the EAC’s consultation hub.
Ombudsman releases findings on Ahpra’s registration fee model
The National Health Practitioner Ombudsman, Richelle McCausland, has released findings from an own-motion investigation into Ahpra’s charging model for practitioner registration fees. The investigation found that practitioners registering outside their profession’s standard cycle – particularly those taking or returning from parental leave, first-time applicants, and those changing registration types – may be disproportionately disadvantaged.
Ahpra has accepted the recommendations and commenced improvements, including a 30% rebate for practitioners on parental or protected leave from 1 July 2025, and a broader review of its pro-rata fee strategy.
Survey on Aged Care Act and Support at Home implementation
The Care Economy Research Institute is seeking feedback from home care providers, older people, families and unpaid carers following the 1 November introduction of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home (SaH) program, which replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care.
Allied health professionals – including OTs – are encouraged to participate to help shape future home-care models. The online survey takes approximately 15 minutes and closes 31 December.
Please note that the survey is not run or funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
The survey can be accessed here.
