17 June 2025 - Psychology services within the NDIS are at risk, the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the peak body for psychology, has warned, urging the Federal Government to clarify recent reforms amid rising concern from participants, carers and service providers.
APS President, Dr Sara Quinn warned changes to the NDIS risked undermining participants' access to vital psychology supports and would inevitably exacerbate an already-strained system.
"Delays to foundational supports, shorter funding periods and the return of 'stated supports' are already causing concern across the sector. We can see that these changes will only add pressure to a system that is already failing to meet the needs of participants."
The APS is also concerned about ambiguity in communications and decisions from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), imposing significant administrative burden on providers and creating harmful delays for participants, ultimately undermining psychologists' confidence in the Scheme's ability to deliver flexible, needs-based, and evidence-informed supports to Australians.
The APS is alarmed by changes recommended in this year's NDIA Annual Pricing Review, including cuts to hourly rates for psychologists in WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT, and reductions to travel caps; measures that fail to reflect participant need or the economic realities of delivering high-quality supports, and will ultimately limit access to vital therapy services.
APS President Dr Sara Quinn said the APS is also deeply concerned that the Scheme continues to undervalue the contribution of psychology services to Australians.
"As the NDIS enters a critical phase of reform, we urge the Government and NDIA to partner with providers and professions to uphold the original intent of the Scheme," she said.
"Despite their essential role in delivering assessment, therapeutic support, behaviour support, and early intervention across the lifespan, psychologists are often excluded from planning processes. This just isn't good enough.
"The NDIS was established to support Australians with permanent and significant disabilities to live a meaningful life with inclusion, and autonomy.
"This requires policies that prioritise need, professional integrity, and participant choice, not administrative convenience and certainly not administrative obscurity", said Dr Quinn.
In line with our previous submissions and advocacy, the APS calls on the re-elected Albanese Government to:
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Engage actively, meaningfully and transparently with psychologists, the APS, and other allied health professionals in designing and implementing reforms to the NDIS;
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Commit to funding supports based on evidence and functional need, rather than cost-minimisation – especially where psychologist-specific items account for less than 1% of total NDIS expenditure and are aimed at reducing overall costs by improving functional capacity, independence and participation;
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Ensure foundational supports are appropriately designed and funded, including having clear pathways for people with psychosocial disability;
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Restore confidence among participants, families, and providers by prioritising transparency, equity, and sustainability.
The APS is committed to the NDIS aims of providing reasonable and necessary supports that enable people with disability to pursue their goals, live independently, and participate fully in their communities.
