Therapy assistants

NDIS Capacity Building support

Therapy assistants work under the guidance of a qualified therapist to carry out parts of a therapy program, such as practising exercises or activities.

The short answer

Therapy assistants work under a qualified therapist's guidance to carry out parts of a therapy program, such as practising exercises or activities between sessions.

About Therapy assistants

Therapy works best with regular practice, and a therapist cannot always be present. A therapy assistant helps by carrying out parts of the program the therapist has designed. That might be practising exercises, running a group, supporting a child with communication activities or helping with daily routines that build skills.

The therapist stays responsible. They assess, design the program and review progress, and the assistant delivers it and reports back. Regular contact between the two is important so that the program stays on track and changes when needed.

Having an assistant can allow more frequent practice and free the therapist to focus on assessment and planning. Ask providers about the training and supervision the assistant receives and how the therapist and assistant communicate.

Who is this service for?

People whose therapist has set a program and who would like a trained assistant to help carry it out between sessions.

What a typical session looks like

A therapy assistant carries out parts of a therapy program under the direction of a therapist. For example, they may lead exercises, practise communication strategies, support a child in play-based activities or help someone practise daily living tasks. The therapist plans the program and the assistant carries it out regularly, which allows more practice than a therapist could provide alone.

Assistants keep notes about how sessions go and report to the therapist, who reviews progress and adjusts the plan. They do not replace the therapist's assessments or clinical decisions, but they play an important role in helping the person practise and use skills in real life.

Who delivers this support

Therapy assistants usually have training in allied health or disability support, and work under the supervision of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist or psychologist. Ask who supervises the assistant, how often the therapist reviews progress and what training the assistant has for your type of therapy.

How to choose a provider

• Ask about the assistant's training and how they are supervised.
• Find out how often the therapist reviews the program.
• Check how the assistant reports progress and concerns.
• Ask which parts of the program the assistant carries out.
• Ask how family are involved and updated.

Questions to ask a provider

• Which therapist supervises the assistant, and how often do they review progress?
• What training does the assistant have?
• What tasks will the assistant carry out, and what stays with the therapist?
• How will progress be recorded and shared with us?
• How does the assistant work with family, school or support workers?
• What happens if the program needs to change?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming an assistant can replace the therapist's assessment and planning.
• Not knowing who supervises the assistant.
• Not sharing the program with others who support the person.
• Not asking for regular reviews.
• Leaving the program unchanged when the person's needs change.

Getting started

1. Ask your therapist whether an assistant could help.
2. Agree what the assistant will do and how it will be supervised.
3. Meet the assistant and see a session.
4. Review progress regularly with the therapist.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Assistants extend the reach of therapy, especially where more frequent practice would help. They work with families, teachers and support workers so that everyone uses the same strategies. It is worth confirming that a qualified therapist remains involved, and that there are regular reviews.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Therapy assistants if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Therapy assistants is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Therapy assistants that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Therapy services providers on the NDIS register

10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing therapy services

• 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
• 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
• 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
• 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
• 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC

See all 10,460 therapy services providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (3,918)
• Victoria (2,645)
• Queensland (2,122)
• South Australia (967)
• Western Australia (833)
• Tasmania (251)
• Australian Capital Territory (234)
• Northern Territory (155)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (576)
• Melbourne, VIC (354)
• Sydney, NSW (338)
• Central Coast, NSW (262)
• Parramatta, NSW (198)
• Perth, WA (188)
• Adelaide, SA (186)
• Blacktown, NSW (180)
• Liverpool, NSW (168)
• Campbelltown, NSW (160)
• Ipswich, QLD (154)
• Canberra, ACT (153)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Physihome - 316 areas
• Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
• Aligned Assist - 184 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
• Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
• Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
• Number 1 Care Provider - 134 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Transition to further education
• Vision and orientation & mobility
• Behaviour support implementation
• Counselling

Frequently asked questions

What does a therapy assistant do?

A therapy assistant works under the guidance of a qualified therapist to carry out parts of a therapy program, such as practising exercises or activities.

Do they replace the therapist?

No. The therapist assesses, designs and reviews the program, and the assistant helps deliver it. Regular contact between them is important.

Why use a therapy assistant?

They can allow more practice in daily life, and sessions can be more frequent than with a therapist alone.

Does the therapist still see me?

Yes. The therapist assesses and reviews, and the assistant supports the program.

Is a therapy assistant qualified?

Assistants have training suited to the role and work under a therapist. Ask about their background.

Can my child have a therapy assistant?

Yes. Therapy assistants commonly work with children.

What is the difference between a therapist and a therapy assistant?

A therapist assesses, plans and reviews the program. An assistant carries out parts of the program under the therapist's direction.

Can a therapy assistant see my child at school?

Often yes, if the school agrees. This can help skills carry over into the classroom. Discuss it with the therapist and the school.

How often does the therapist see me if I work with an assistant?

The therapist reviews progress regularly, and how often varies. Ask the provider at the start.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Therapy assistants?

If Therapy assistants is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Therapy assistants provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

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