What is NDIS Telehealth? How It Works, Funding & Services (2026 Guide)
NDIS telehealth means getting NDIS-funded supports, such as occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy or psychology, by video or phone call instead of in person. It uses the same NDIS plan budget as face-to-face sessions. Your provider claims it under a dedicated telehealth support item. You can join from home on a phone, tablet or computer.
Key takeaways
- What it is: NDIS supports delivered by video or phone call.
- Is it funded? Yes. Most therapy supports can be delivered and claimed as telehealth from your existing plan, usually from your Capacity Building budget.
- How it's billed: From 1 July 2026, therapy telehealth is claimed under its own telehealth line item in the NDIS Pricing Schedule.
- Common services: OT, speech pathology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, psychology, counselling, dietetics, behaviour support and support coordination.
- Best for: People in regional or remote areas, people with limited mobility or transport, busy families, and anyone who finds clinic visits stressful.
- Not ideal for: Hands-on treatment, some formal assessments, equipment fitting and hydrotherapy.
How does NDIS telehealth work?
NDIS telehealth works like a normal appointment, but your provider meets you by secure video (or phone) instead of in a clinic or at your home. The steps are:
- Check your plan. Make sure you have funds in the right budget. Therapy is usually in Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.
- Choose a provider that offers telehealth. Registered NDIS providers are audited by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- Agree on it in your service agreement. Your provider should explain which sessions will be telehealth, how long they run, and how they are claimed. Read our guide to NDIS service agreements.
- Get your link. You'll receive a secure video link (for example, Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Coviu) by email or SMS, plus a reminder before the session.
- Join the session. Your therapist assesses, coaches and sets activities with you on screen. A family member, carer or support worker can join to help.
- Follow up. You get home programs, videos or reports by email, and book your next session. This could be telehealth or in person.
Is telehealth covered by the NDIS?
Yes. The NDIS funds supports based on what you need to reach your plan goals, not on where the support happens. If telehealth is a reasonable and effective way to deliver your support, your provider can claim it from your plan.
- Which budget: Therapy delivered by telehealth usually comes from the same budget as in-person therapy, mostly Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. Support coordination and psychosocial recovery coaching come from their own Capacity Building categories.
- How it's claimed (from 1 July 2026): Under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2026–27, each therapy discipline has separate support items for direct service, telehealth, non-face-to-face work, provider travel, cancellations and NDIA-requested reports. Telehealth sessions are claimed under the telehealth item rather than the face-to-face item.
- What you pay: You're charged for the time the session actually runs, up to the NDIS price limit for that support. Telehealth has no provider travel charge, so your budget can stretch further.
- Devices and internet: Everyday items such as phones, tablets, laptops and internet plans are generally not funded by the NDIS. Talk to your planner or support coordinator if you have a disability-specific need.
Price limits and rules change each financial year. Always check the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements, or ask your plan manager. Our article on how to read the NDIS price guide explains it step by step.
Which NDIS services can you access via telehealth?
Most NDIS supports that rely on assessment, coaching, education or conversation work well over telehealth:
| Support | What a telehealth session looks like |
|---|---|
| Occupational therapy (OT) | Daily living skills, routines, sensory strategies, home set-up checks by video walk-through, carer coaching |
| Speech pathology | Communication and language practice, AAC coaching, parent-led therapy, some swallowing reviews |
| Physiotherapy | Guided home exercise programs, posture and mobility coaching, progress reviews |
| Exercise physiology | Supervised exercise sessions, strength and fitness programs you can do at home |
| Psychology and counselling | Talking therapy, coping strategies, anxiety and mood support |
| Dietetics | Meal planning, nutrition reviews, mealtime management |
| Positive behaviour support | Behaviour support planning, family and carer training |
| Support coordination | Plan implementation, finding providers, preparing for plan reviews |
| Psychosocial recovery coaching | Recovery planning, building capacity and connections |
See all Access Foundation NDIS telehealth services and therapy services.
Benefits of NDIS telehealth
- No travel. You don't need transport, parking or time in a waiting room. This matters most if you have limited mobility or rely on others to drive you.
- More of your budget goes on therapy. Telehealth has no provider travel charges, so more of your funding pays for actual support time.
- Access from anywhere. People in regional and remote WA, including the Great Southern and Peel regions, can see experienced therapists without long trips to Perth.
- Therapy in real-life settings. Your therapist sees your actual kitchen, bathroom or routine. This makes strategies easier to use day to day.
- Carers can join easily. Family members, carers and support workers can join from different locations and learn the strategies too.
- Flexible scheduling. Early, late or short sessions fit around school, work and other commitments more easily.
- Less stress and lower infection risk. This helps people with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, fatigue or weaker immune systems.
- Continuity of care. Sessions can go ahead during illness, bad weather or when you're away from home.
Telehealth vs in-person: which is right for you?
Telehealth doesn't have to replace in-person care. Many participants mix the two. Use this comparison to decide:
| Feature | Telehealth | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | None | Needed (you or the provider) |
| Provider travel charges | None | May apply |
| Hands-on treatment | Not possible | Yes |
| Formal / standardised assessments | Some | All |
| Equipment trials and fitting | Limited | Yes |
| Hydrotherapy and gym sessions | No | Yes. See our hydrotherapy pool and rehab gym |
| Coaching, education and talking therapy | Works very well | Works very well |
Telehealth may not suit you if you need physical hands-on help, you find screens hard to use even with support, you don't have a private space, or your internet connection is unreliable. Your therapist can help you decide which option works best.
What you need for your first NDIS telehealth session
- A smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone
- Reliable internet (4G/5G or Wi-Fi); a phone call can be a back-up
- A quiet, private, well-lit space
- Your NDIS number and plan details, if it's your first appointment
- Any equipment or items your therapist asked you to have nearby
- A support person, if you'd like help with the technology
- Your questions and goals written down
For more tips, read how to choose and prepare for an NDIS telehealth service.
NDIS telehealth FAQs
Is NDIS telehealth the same price as face-to-face?
Telehealth is claimed against the NDIS price limit for that support. From 1 July 2026, therapy telehealth has its own line item in the NDIS Pricing Schedule. There are no provider travel costs, so telehealth usually costs your plan less overall. Check the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements for exact figures.
Can I use telehealth for psychology under the NDIS?
Yes. If your plan includes therapy supports, you can usually do NDIS-funded psychology and counselling by telehealth. It is funded from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.
Do I need a referral for NDIS telehealth?
No GP referral is needed for NDIS-funded therapy. You need funds in the right budget and a service agreement with your provider. Medicare telehealth is a separate system with its own rules.
Does the NDIS pay for a laptop or tablet for telehealth?
Generally no. Everyday devices and internet costs are treated as day-to-day living expenses. Talk to your planner or support coordinator if you need assistive technology to communicate or to access services.
What happens if my internet drops out during a session?
Your therapist will try to reconnect or continue by phone. Agree on a back-up plan at the start of your first session.
Is NDIS telehealth private and secure?
Providers should use secure, privacy-compliant video platforms and follow Australian privacy law. Sessions aren't recorded without your consent. Ask your provider which platform they use.
Can a carer or family member join a telehealth session?
Yes. Carers, family members and support workers are welcome to join, either from the same room or from another location. This is common in children's therapy.
Can I switch between telehealth and in-person sessions?
Yes. Many participants use telehealth for regular check-ins and coaching, and in-person sessions for assessments or hands-on therapy.