Choosing an Allied Health Provider
How to find and choose an NDIS therapist: questions to ask, registered vs unregistered providers, telehealth, and managing common therapy waitlists.
Finding the right therapist can make all the difference to how much you get from your funding. A good fit isn't just about qualifications — it's about someone who understands your goals, communicates well, and works in a way that suits you. This guide walks through how to find and choose an allied health provider, the questions worth asking, and practical realities like registration, telehealth…
Where to start looking
Registered vs unregistered providers
Questions worth asking
Telehealth as an option
Managing waitlists
Trusting the fit
Frequently asked questions
Do NDIS therapists have to be registered?
It depends on how your plan is managed. NDIA-managed plans must use NDIS-registered providers, while plan-managed and self-managed plans can use registered or unregistered providers. Many excellent therapists aren't registered, particularly smaller practices — unregistered doesn't mean unqualified.…
How do I find a good allied health provider?
Ask your support coordinator, LAC, GP or existing therapists for recommendations, search directories including Novida, and ask other participants about their experiences. Build a shortlist rather than settling on the first name, and have a short conversation with each to check experience,…
What questions should I ask a therapist?
Ask about their experience with your disability and goals, how they charge and what's included, whether they offer telehealth, whether they use therapy assistants, how they involve you and your supports, and their current waitlist. How they answer — whether they listen and explain clearly — tells…
Is telehealth as good as in-person therapy?
For many people and many goals, yes. Telehealth cuts travel time and cost, reduces fatigue, and opens up therapists who aren't nearby. It suits some therapies better than others, and a mix of in-person and telehealth is common. If getting to appointments is hard, ask whether telehealth is available.
How do I deal with therapy waitlists?
Start looking early, join more than one waitlist, and consider telehealth or a slightly less local provider to reduce the wait. Ask whether a therapy assistant could begin some work sooner, and keep your support coordinator or LAC informed. Ask each provider for a realistic timeframe.
Can I change therapists if it's not working?
Yes. You're free to change providers if the fit isn't right — being polite doesn't mean staying with someone unsuitable. A therapist you trust and communicate well with will get more from your funding than one who isn't a good match. Just check your plan management allows the new provider.