We know how important your services are to you. We are increasingly prioritising ensuring all our Seed community feel informed and empowered to implement the services they need (..but also follow the NDIS guidelines.)
Navigating the world of disability support can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to mental wellbeing.
– It is complex for us so, I know it must be for you as well.
As NDIS changes are happening, our Team at Seed have noticed an increase in questions about what psychology services you can access through NDIS.
So, Let’s break it down;
Changes to Psychology Services
The NDIS is undergoing major reforms to ensure its long-term sustainability. One of the key changes we are observing is changes to the way planners are funding psychology.
As part of this shift:
- The NDIS is tightening eligibility and clarifying what it will fund, focusing more on functional impairments rather than diagnoses alone.
- From October 2024, participants can only use their funding on services listed in an approved list of supports
Psychology:
- Some psychology services, especially those considered clinical treatment rather than functional support, are being redirected to the health system.
This doesn’t mean psychology is being removed entirely, but rather that:
- Only certain types of psychological support (like skill-building or behavioural therapy) will remain funded.
- Clinical or diagnostic services (like therapy for general mental health without a functional impairment) may no longer be covered under NDIS plans.
What Psychology Services Does the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS focuses on non-clinical functional supports that help participants live more independently and engage in their communities.
Here are some examples of psychology-related supports the NDIS may fund:
- Skill Building supports: These include sessions with a psychologist or other allied health professionals to build skills , like emotional regulation, communication, or social interaction.
- Behavioural support: Development and implementation of behaviour support plans to reduce harmful behaviours and improve quality of life.
- Psychosocial recovery coaching: A support role that helps participants with psychosocial disabilities build capacity, set goals, and navigate their recovery journey.
- Capacity building supports: Programs or sessions that help improve daily living skills, resilience, and community participation.
What the NDIS does not fund
Under the NDIS, clinical treatment by a psychologist refers to services that are primarily aimed at diagnosing, stabilising, or managing a condition, rather than building functional capacity. These services are NOT funded by the NDIS.
These are services such as;
- Diagnosis and assessment of conditions
- Therapy focused on symptom reduction, such as treating depression, anxiety, or trauma
- Crisis intervention or acute care
- Ongoing psychotherapy aimed at managing a diagnosis
- Rehabilitation or recovery-focused therapy that is medical in nature
- Treatment for co-morbid conditions, such as substance use disorders
- Psychiatric diagnosis or treatment
- Medication management or prescription
- Inpatient or outpatient mental health care
- Services provided by GPs or psychiatrists
Specifically, the NDIS states on the website, “We also don’t fund psychology as therapy or clinical treatment to address symptoms of your mental health condition.”
Where can you find more information?
You can check out the following information for further guidance to using your NDIS services for Psychology and other mental health services;
- The NDIS Act 2013
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (Supports for Participants) Rules 2013 (agreed by COAG)
- NDIS Factsheets which you can access via their website
Where can SEED help you?
Our team plays a crucial role in helping the NDIS participants we work with, especially those with psychosocial disabilities to navigate, implement, and maximise their NDIS plans.
In the context of psychology services and advocating for your supports, here’s how we help:
- Understanding Your Plan: We are here to help you understand what’s included in your NDIS plan, including which psychology-related supports are funded and how they align with your goals.
- Linking Supports to Your Disability: We assist in connecting the dots between your disability and the services you need. From this, we help articulate how a psychologist’s support improves your functional capacity, which is essential for NDIS approval.
- Finding and Connecting with Providers: we will help you find qualified psychologists or allied health professionals who offer NDIS-appropriate services (e.g. functional therapy rather than clinical treatment).
- Preparing for Plan Reviews: We support you in gathering evidence, writing goal statements, and preparing for NDIS planning or review meetings—especially when advocating for continued or new psychology supports.
- Monitoring and Adjusting Supports: We track how well your supports are working and help adjust them if your needs change.
- Navigating Complex Systems: If your needs overlap with health, housing, or community services, we help coordinate across systems so you don’t fall through the cracks.
- Education: We help educate you about NDIS services and the NDIS guidelines which allows you to make informed decisions about the services you choose.
If you’re living with a disability, the NDIS can be a powerful tool to support your wellbeing and independence. While it doesn’t replace clinical mental health care, it complements it by funding the supports that help you thrive in everyday life.
If you’re unsure whether a specific psychology service is covered, it’s best to reach out, and we can work through it together.
What’s important to know is that we are on this journey together and it is our role to help you get the funding allocation and align services to meet your needs.
I am always up for a phone call, and happy to answer any questions at 0422240230 or amber@seeddisability.com.au
