Thin markets

Situations where few providers are available, so supports can be harder to find, often in rural, remote or specialised areas.

What it means

A thin market is a situation where there are few or no providers available to deliver the supports a participant needs. When a market is thin, it can be hard to find someone who offers the right support, has capacity to take on new clients, or can travel to where the participant lives.

Thin markets are more common in some settings than others. They tend to happen in rural and remote areas where fewer providers operate, for specialised supports that only a small number of providers can deliver, and for people with complex needs that require particular skills or experience. Language and cultural needs can also make a market thin if very few providers can meet them.

In practice

For a participant, a thin market can mean waiting longer to start a support, travelling further to reach a provider, or having only one option instead of a genuine choice. It can also mean that funding sits in a plan without being used because there is no one available to deliver the support.

Governments and the NDIA work on ways to improve provider availability in these markets. This can include measures that make it more worthwhile for providers to operate in harder-to-service areas, connecting participants with providers who can deliver remotely, and helping local services build their capacity. If you are struggling to find a provider, tell your support coordinator or local area coordinator, as they may know of options you have not found and can flag ongoing gaps.

A real example

For example, Marcus lives in a small country town and needs a specialised speech therapist for his son. The nearest provider is several hours away and has a long waitlist, so his son's speech therapy funding has gone unused for months. His support coordinator arranges some sessions delivered by video call, which gets support started while they keep looking for a local option.

Thin markets — FAQs

What is a thin market in the NDIS?
A thin market is where there are few or no providers available to deliver the supports a participant needs, making those supports hard to access. It often means less choice, longer waits, or funding that cannot be used. Thin markets are more common in rural and remote areas, for specialised supports, and for people with complex needs.
Why do thin markets happen?
Thin markets happen when it is harder or less viable for providers to operate. Fewer providers work in rural and remote areas because of distance and cost. Specialised supports may only be offered by a small number of skilled providers. Complex needs, or specific language and cultural requirements, can also narrow the pool of providers who can meet them.
What can I do if I cannot find a provider?
Tell your support coordinator or local area coordinator, as they often know of options you have not found. You can also consider supports delivered remotely by video or phone, providers who travel to your area, or building support with a nearby service. Keep your plan manager or the NDIA informed so ongoing gaps are recorded.
Does living remotely mean I will always face a thin market?
Not always, but thin markets are more common in remote areas because fewer providers operate there. Some supports may still be readily available locally, while others may need to be delivered remotely or by a provider who travels. Pricing rules allow higher price limits in remote areas to help make supports more available.
Is the NDIA doing anything about thin markets?
Yes. Governments and the NDIA work on ways to improve provider availability in thin markets. This can include making it more viable for providers to service harder-to-reach areas, connecting participants with providers who deliver remotely, and helping local services build capacity. Reporting gaps helps decision-makers see where supports are missing.

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