Allied health roles have become a vital part of both the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and aged care services in Australia. These roles include professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech pathologists, social workers, and psychologists, among others. As both sectors continue to grow in demand and complexity, the need for holistic, person-centred care has made allied health practitioners indispensable.
In the NDIS, allied health professionals play a key role in helping participants gain independence, improve function, and achieve personal goals. In aged care, these same professionals work to preserve dignity, mobility, and quality of life for older Australians. Their expertise bridges the gap between medical and community care, helping clients maintain autonomy and reduce the need for hospitalisation.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), demand for allied health services has increased sharply since the rollout of the NDIS. Additionally, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2021 highlighted a severe shortage of allied health services in aged care homes, leading to calls for structural reforms and increased funding.
The expansion of allied health roles in both NDIS and aged care has brought these professionals into the heart of care planning and decision-making. No longer limited to reactive treatment, allied health workers are increasingly involved in preventive care and early interventions.
For example, occupational therapists in the NDIS often help participants identify barriers to everyday living and create long-term support strategies. In aged care, physiotherapists now collaborate more closely with nursing staff to prevent falls and develop exercise routines tailored to frail or immobile residents.
The shift towards person-centred planning means allied health roles are becoming more strategic and collaborative. Rather than working in isolation, professionals now engage in interdisciplinary teams. Speech pathologists may work alongside dietitians and support workers to address swallowing and nutrition issues, particularly in dementia care. This multidisciplinary approach has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce hospital admissions, particularly in residential aged care facilities.
As the population ages and the NDIS continues to scale, the demand for allied health professionals is outpacing supply. According to the National Skills Commission, roles such as physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists are consistently listed as skills in shortage, especially in regional and remote areas.
This increasing demand for allied health roles has prompted many universities and TAFE institutions to expand their training programs. Some allied health degrees now include specialised NDIS or aged care units, preparing graduates for sector-specific challenges. Online and hybrid models have also grown to improve accessibility for students in rural locations.
Workforce shortages have prompted the Australian Government to invest in initiatives like the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway and the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP), which support allied health practitioners working in underserved areas. These programs help ensure that even the most remote clients can access vital care services without needing to travel long distances.
Technology is rapidly transforming how allied health services are delivered in NDIS and aged care settings. Telehealth, in particular, has emerged as a powerful tool in expanding access to services, especially for people in rural or remote communities.
Telehealth allows allied health professionals to conduct assessments, deliver therapy sessions, and monitor progress without requiring in-person visits. This has proven especially valuable during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns and restrictions limited face-to-face appointments.
Additionally, digital care planning tools and electronic health records are enhancing coordination among allied health teams. For example, a physiotherapist can log mobility progress in a centralised system, allowing occupational therapists and case managers to adjust their approaches accordingly.
Digital platforms are also being used for remote training, enabling allied health workers to continue their professional development without leaving their communities. This has contributed to improved retention of professionals in regional and remote areas, further addressing the critical workforce shortage.
Government policy has played a pivotal role in the rise of allied health roles in both the NDIS and aged care systems. Major funding boosts and structural reforms have prioritised greater access to more complete, person-focused care, directly increasing the demand for allied health professionals.
In 2025, the NDIA released updated pricing arrangements that directly impact allied health roles within the NDIS. These include a 3.5% indexation increase to therapy supports, continued telehealth parity for regional services, and refined delegation guidelines for therapy assistants. The government also raised rural and remote loading rates to support access in underserved areas.
While these changes aim to improve sustainability and expand access, some providers argue the pricing still falls short of real-world operating costs. Allied health professionals in private practice or small providers may face financial pressure due to capped fees, especially when accounting for rising wages, admin burdens, and compliance costs. The growing push toward therapy assistant models could also reduce direct billable hours for experienced clinicians. As a result, the sector may see a shift in business models, moving toward larger organisations, tech-enabled platforms, or group therapy delivery to maintain financial viability.
Under new aged care guidelines, providers are now encouraged, and in some cases required, to ensure regular access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health services. This represents a major cultural shift from purely clinical or custodial care to a wellness-focused model.
The NDIS Commission has also launched initiatives like the “Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework,” which promotes the inclusion of psychologists and behavioural therapists in care teams. This has expanded the definition and reach of allied health roles across disability services.
The rise of allied health roles in NDIS and aged care shows a strong move toward more complete, person-focused care in Australia. As demand continues to grow, these professionals are not only helping fill workforce gaps but also making a big difference in people’s lives, helping them stay independent and healthy. With ongoing support through training, technology, and better policies, allied health roles will continue to play a key part in improving care in both areas.
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