Disability Network Alliance
FOR many Australians living with disability in regional and remote communities, telehealth is no longer simply a convenient alternative to face-to-face care but is increasingly the only way to access vital allied health support.
New concerns are emerging across the disability sector following changes to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) travel reimbursements, with providers warning the shift is accelerating the withdrawal of in-person outreach services across regional Australia.
From July 1 last year, allied health providers have only been able to claim 50 per cent of their hourly rate for travel time under the NDIS. For many mobile therapists and regional practitioners travelling long distances to support participants in their homes, the reduced reimbursement has made outreach financially unsustainable.
As a result, many providers are transitioning participants to telehealth appointments or scaling back regional services entirely.
The growing reliance on virtual care reflects broader healthcare trends across Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around one in four Australians who accessed mental health care in 2024-25 used telehealth at least once.
For NDIS participants outside metropolitan areas, however, telehealth is often not a preference but a necessity.
Emma Thomas, Area Manager at national disability and mental health provider LiveBig, said telehealth had become critical for many regional participants.
“For many people, telehealth is the only way they can access therapy,” Ms Thomas said.
“If there are no clinicians nearby, or the nearest service is hours away, telehealth makes it possible to receive support that would otherwise be out of reach.”
Supports such as psychology, behaviour support and capacity-building sessions are particularly well suited to video and phone appointments, with many services functioning similarly to in-person consultations.
Telehealth also provides flexibility during periods when participants may struggle to attend appointments in person due to illness, fatigue, anxiety, school commitments or work schedules.
Providers say remote appointments can also offer unexpected benefits, allowing clinicians to observe participants in their everyday home environments and tailor support strategies more effectively.
However, further changes to the NDIS are expected to place additional pressure on participants later this year.
From October 1 this year, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will progressively adjust budgets for capacity building daily activities and social and community participation supports funding categories commonly used for psychology, behaviour support and other therapy services frequently delivered via telehealth.
At the same time, the Federal Government’s broader NDIS reform agenda, announced in April, is expected to tighten eligibility requirements and reduce average plan funding over the next two years.
Disability advocates are urging participants facing upcoming reviews or reassessments to seek advice early to understand how the reforms may affect their plans and access to services.
Ms Thomas said ensuring equitable access to support services regardless of location must remain a priority.
“Access shouldn’t depend on your postcode,” she said.
“Telehealth means people can begin working towards their goals sooner, rather than waiting months or missing out entirely.”
