NDIS Psychology: Complete Guide

NDIS psychology is psychological therapy funded through an NDIS plan to help a participant build or maintain functional capacity related to their disability. It focuses on everyday life: managing emotions, coping with change, building relationships, solving problems and taking part in the community. It is different from clinical mental health treatment, which the NDIA treats as the health system's responsibility.

This guide explains what NDIS psychology covers, how it is funded, what a psychologist does, how to choose one and how progress is reported.

What is NDIS psychology?

The NDIA lists psychology as one of the therapy supports it can fund. Under its therapy supports guideline, the NDIA can only fund sessions with psychologists whose focus is to build or maintain the participant's capacity, and the psychologist must be registered with Ahpra (NDIA therapy supports guideline).

Depending on the participant's goals, psychology may support:

• emotional regulation and coping skills

• adjusting to disability or a change in circumstances

• social and relationship skills

• decision-making, problem-solving and planning

• confidence to take part in work, study or the community

• strategies that families and support workers can use in daily life

What the NDIS will and won't fund

The NDIA's Would We Fund It? Psychology Supports and Mental Health guidance draws a clear line:

• Likely to be NDIS: psychology that builds or maintains functional capacity related to the participant’s disability, with goals and timeframes.

• Health system: clinical mental health supports, including assessment, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a mental health condition.

• Not NDIS: services already funded by another system, including Medicare gap payments.

The same goal can sit on either side depending on purpose. Therapy to treat anxiety symptoms is clinical treatment; therapy to build the skills a participant needs to use public transport despite disability-related anxiety may be a capacity building support. Read Does the NDIS Fund Psychology? A 2026 Guide for more detail.

Which part of the plan pays for psychology?

The NDIA includes therapy supports in plans as a stated support under the Improved Daily Living Skills category of Capacity Building (NDIA). Therapy funding can only be used for therapy.

For 2026–27, the NDIS price limit for a psychologist is $252.99 per hour in most of Australia, with higher limits in remote and very remote areas (NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27). Price limits apply to NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants and can change, so check current pricing before booking.

What happens in NDIS psychology sessions?

Most participants start with an initial session focused on getting to know them: their goals, strengths, daily routines, what is getting in the way and what has helped before. The psychologist then agrees a plan with the participant, which may include:

1. Assessment of the participant’s needs and how they affect daily life.

2. Goal setting linked to the participant’s NDIS goals.

3. Regular sessions using evidence-based approaches suited to the person, their communication style and their disability.

4. Working with others such as family, carers, support workers and other therapists, with consent.

5. Review and reporting on progress and recommendations.

Sessions can take place in a clinic, at home or in the community, or via telehealth where suitable. See Can NDIS Psychology Be Delivered by Telehealth?

Psychology for specific needs

Psychologists work with participants with many types of disability. CARED has guides on:

• NDIS Psychology for Psychosocial Disability

• NDIS Psychology for Autism

• NDIS Psychology for ADHD

If behaviours of concern are part of the picture, a behaviour support practitioner may be needed instead of, or alongside, psychology. Read Psychology vs Positive Behaviour Support. If the question is about memory or thinking skills, see neuropsychology.

How to choose an NDIS psychologist

• check the psychologist is registered on the Ahpra public register

• ask about experience with the participant’s disability and goals

• ask how they adapt sessions for communication, sensory or cognitive needs

• check whether they offer telehealth, home visits or clinic sessions

• ask how they involve family and supporters, and how they report progress

• confirm availability, cancellation terms and how fees relate to the price limit

The right fit matters. If the relationship is not working, it is reasonable to ask for a different practitioner.

Progress reports and plan reassessments

The NDIA may ask a participant’s therapist for progress reports when reassessing a plan (NDIA). A useful report links therapy to the participant’s goals, describes functional change and gives reasons for recommendations. See What Should an NDIS Psychology Progress Report Include?

Next step

This article is general information, not individual clinical or NDIS advice. CARED's psychologists work with children, teens and adults in clinic, at home, in the community and via telehealth Australia-wide, alongside OT, speech pathology, behaviour support and other services.

Find a psychologist or submit a referral.