The Changing Landscape of the NDIS: What Exercise Physiologists Need to Know and How to Prepare
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing significant changes aimed at improving its efficiency, sustainability, and impact on participants. While these reforms are designed to ensure that the system remains viable in the long term, they also present new challenges for service providers, including exercise physiologists.
For exercise physiologists working with NDIS participants, understanding and adapting to these changes is crucial. The way services are delivered, funded, and justified is evolving, and businesses that fail to adjust may struggle to remain viable. In this article, we’ll explore the key changes occurring within the NDIS, how they affect exercise physiology services, and the proactive steps you can take to navigate this shifting landscape successfully.
Understanding the Key Changes in the NDIS
1. Redefinition of NDIS Supports
The NDIS has been reviewing the types of supports it funds and refining its criteria to ensure services are “reasonable and necessary” for participants. This means that funding for some supports has been adjusted, and stricter eligibility requirements are being applied.
Exercise physiology remains a recognised and approved support within the scheme, especially under the Improved Health and Wellbeing and Improved Daily Living categories. These categories focus on interventions that enhance functional capacity, independence, and overall quality of life.
However, providers must now demonstrate a stronger link between their services and a participant’s goals in order for funding to continue. This shift places greater emphasis on documentation and measurable outcomes.
(Source: Rebound Health)
2. Pricing Adjustments and Financial Challenges
Recent NDIS pricing reviews have resulted in a modest 3.19% increase in price limits for certain services. While this may seem like a step in the right direction, many providers argue that it does not keep pace with rising operational costs, inflation, and the growing demand for more specialised services.
For exercise physiologists, this means that financial sustainability is becoming more challenging. With overheads such as rent, staffing, and equipment continuing to rise, businesses may need to reassess pricing models, streamline operations, and explore alternative funding sources to remain profitable.
A 2023 survey of NDIS providers found that two-thirds were considering reducing or discontinuing their services due to financial pressures. This highlights the urgency for exercise physiologists to adapt their business models in order to thrive within the new NDIS environment.
(Source: The Australian)
3. Stricter Eligibility and Needs Assessments
The NDIS is tightening eligibility criteria and introducing more rigorous needs assessments to determine which supports participants require. This means that some participants may face funding reductions or even removal from the scheme if their impairments are not deemed significant enough to warrant continued support.
For exercise physiologists, this has several key implications:
More rigorous justification of services: You’ll need to provide stronger evidence that your services directly contribute to a participant’s functional improvement and goal achievement.
Increased reporting requirements: Detailed outcome measurements and ongoing progress tracking will become even more essential.
Potential funding fluctuations: Some participants may have reduced allocations for allied health services, requiring you to be more flexible in service delivery and scheduling.
(Source: Active Ability)
How These Changes Affect Exercise Physiologists
The evolving NDIS landscape means that exercise physiologists will need to adapt their approach to remain relevant, viable, and effective. Some of the main challenges and adjustments required include:
1. Justifying the Need for Exercise Physiology
With funding becoming more selective, exercise physiologists must clearly demonstrate how their services contribute to a participant’s goals and long-term outcomes. This includes:
Ensuring assessments align with NDIS goals such as improved mobility, increased independence, and enhanced community participation.
Using objective measures such as functional tests, strength assessments, and quality-of-life surveys to provide evidence of progress.
Collaborating with participants to document real-life benefits, such as reductions in falls, improved confidence, or the ability to complete daily activities with greater ease.
2. Strengthening Documentation and Reporting
The ability to provide comprehensive, data-driven reports will become a crucial factor in securing and maintaining NDIS funding for participants. This means exercise physiologists must:
Improve reporting structures to track and measure progress against NDIS plan goals.
Document service impact through detailed session notes, outcome-based reports, and participant feedback.
Develop relationships with support coordinators who can advocate for the continuation of your services based on the evidence you provide.
NDIS plan reviews will place a greater emphasis on measurable outcomes, so refining your documentation and reporting skills is now essential.
3. Preparing for Financial Sustainability
Given the pricing constraints and potential funding reductions, exercise physiology businesses need to explore ways to sustain and grow their services. Strategies include:
Diversifying revenue streams by offering private services, corporate wellness programs, or injury rehabilitation packages outside of the NDIS.
Maximising efficiency by refining scheduling, minimising no-shows, and optimising appointment durations to improve cash flow.
Exploring new funding options, such as working with insurance companies, Medicare-funded referrals, and partnerships with local healthcare providers.
By thinking strategically, exercise physiologists can reduce financial dependence on NDIS funding alone while still supporting participants who need their services.
4. Strengthening Advocacy and Professional Networks
Given the evolving landscape, advocacy for the role of exercise physiology within the NDIS will be critical. This includes:
Engaging with industry bodies, such as Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), to ensure exercise physiology remains recognised as a core allied health support.
Educating stakeholders, including support coordinators, plan managers, and policymakers, about the value of exercise physiology.
Encouraging participant advocacy, helping clients and their families communicate the importance of exercise physiology in their NDIS reviews.
By actively participating in discussions about NDIS policy and funding, exercise physiologists can help shape the future of allied health services within the scheme.
How to Prepare for the Future of Exercise Physiology in the NDIS
To ensure long-term success within the NDIS, exercise physiologists should take proactive steps to adapt, innovate, and advocate for their role. Here’s how:
1. Stay Informed
Regularly review NDIS provider updates, industry reports, and funding reviews.
Attend NDIS-related training, webinars, and networking events to keep up with changes.
2. Strengthen Clinical and Business Practices
Invest in professional development to improve outcome-based reporting.
Develop internal systems to streamline documentation and compliance.
Implement client education programs to reinforce the value of exercise physiology.
3. Foster Relationships with NDIS Stakeholders
Build stronger connections with support coordinators, case managers, and allied health teams.
Communicate regularly with NDIS planners to highlight the role of exercise physiology in achieving participant goals.
4. Expand and Adapt Your Services
Explore additional funding streams (e.g., WorkCover, private clients, corporate health programs).
Offer flexible service delivery models, such as telehealth, home visits, and community-based programs.
Conclusion
The NDIS is evolving, and with it, the way exercise physiology services are funded and delivered. While these changes present challenges, they also offer opportunities for those who are prepared to adapt and innovate.
By staying informed, improving documentation, advocating for your role, and diversifying your services, you can ensure that your exercise physiology business continues to thrive while making a meaningful difference in the lives of NDIS participants.
The future of exercise physiology in the NDIS isn’t just about adjusting to change—it’s about shaping it. Now is the time to step up, advocate for your profession, and refine your approach to secure your place in the future of allied health within the NDIS.