If you or someone you care for receives therapy through the NDIS whether that’s occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, or psychology there’s an important change coming in July 2026 that you need to know about.
From 1 July 2026, the way therapy supports NDIS participants use must be claimed is changing. Therapy will no longer be claimable from your Core Supports budget it will need to come from NDIS capacity building instead.
This guide explains what that means in plain English, who is affected, and what you should do to make sure your plan is set up correctly before the change takes effect.
What Is Changing in July 2026?
Right now, many NDIS participants claim therapy services things like OT assessments, physio sessions, and speech therapy from their Core Supports budget, specifically under the Assistance with Daily Life support category.
From 1 July 2026, as part of the broader NDIS July 2026 changes, this will no longer be permitted. All NDIS therapy claiming will need to happen under NDIS capacity building specifically the Improved Daily Living sub-category.
The intention behind this change is to bring greater consistency to how therapy funding is categorised across all participants and to make it easier to track whether therapy supports are achieving the outcomes they’re funded for.
The Old Way vs the New Way
| Before July 2026 | From July 2026 | |
| Where therapy is claimed | Core Supports Assistance with Daily Life | Capacity Building Improved Daily Living |
| Budget flexibility | Therapy could draw from the same budget as daily support workers | Therapy has its own dedicated Capacity Building allocation |
| Who is affected | Participants claiming therapy under Core Supports | All NDIS participants using allied health services |
| Plan review required? | No existing plans not changed mid-term | May be required if Capacity Building funding is insufficient |
Which Therapy Supports Are Affected?
Therapies Typically Claimed Under Core Supports (Before July 2026)
If your current NDIS plan has therapy claimed under Core Supports, the following therapy supports NDIS participants commonly use will be affected by this change:
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- Physiotherapy
- Speech pathology and speech therapy
- Psychology and counselling
- Dietetics and nutrition support
- Exercise physiology
- Behaviour support therapy
Note: this list is not exhaustive. The key test is whether the therapy is currently being claimed under your Core Supports budget.
What Must Move to Capacity Building from July 2026
All of the above and any other allied health or therapeutic supports must move to the NDIS capacity building budget category from July 2026. If your plan does not currently have sufficient Capacity Building funding to cover your therapy needs, this is something to address before the change takes effect.
What This Means for Your NDIS Plan in Practice
The practical impact of the NDIS therapy claiming changes 2026 depends largely on when your plan is due for review.
If Your Plan Is Up for Review Before July 2026
This is your opportunity to make sure your new plan is structured correctly from the start. When preparing for your NDIS plan review, be explicit with your planner about the therapy services you use and the frequency you need them. Ask specifically that your Capacity Building Improved Daily Living allocation reflects your full therapy requirements.
Don’t assume your planner will automatically account for the change. Come prepared with your therapy provider’s reports and a clear list of the supports you use.
If Your Plan Renews After July 2026
If your plan is not due for review until after July 2026, you may need to request a plan reassessment before the change takes effect particularly if you currently have limited or no NDIS capacity building funding.
Participants who continue claiming therapy from Core Supports after 1 July 2026 risk those claims being rejected. It’s far better to get your plan updated in advance than to find yourself without access to therapy supports NDIS funding at a critical time.
Do You Need to Change Anything Right Now?
That depends on your situation. Here are the three most common scenarios:
- You already claim all therapy under Capacity Building no action needed. Your plan is already set up correctly for the new rules.
- You claim some therapy under Core Supports and have a plan review coming up prepare now. Work with your support coordinator to document your therapy needs clearly before your review.
- You claim therapy under Core Supports and your plan doesn’t renew until after July 2026 request a reassessment. Contact the NDIA or speak to Chapman Support about requesting a plan review ahead of the change date.
The most important thing is not to wait and see. The NDIS therapy claiming changes 2026 are confirmed, and the timeline is firm. Getting ahead of it now will save you significant stress later.
How Chapman Support Can Help You Prepare
At Chapman Support Services, we’ve been working with NDIS participants in Coffs Harbour through multiple rounds of policy change and we know how confusing these shifts can feel, especially when the official communications are written in bureaucratic language that doesn’t always translate easily.
Our team can help you review your current plan and identify whether you are at risk from the NDIS July 2026 changes. We can:
- Sit with you and go through your current plan to check how your therapy is being claimed
- Help you prepare for your NDIS plan review with the right documentation
- Liaise with your therapy providers to gather progress reports and support letters
- Assist you in requesting an unscheduled plan review if needed
If you’re accessing disability support in Coffs Harbour and you’re not sure where you stand, the best time to find out is now not in June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use Core Supports to pay for therapy after July 2026?
No. From 1 July 2026, all NDIS therapy claiming must occur under Capacity Building Improved Daily Living. Claiming therapy from Core Supports after this date will not be supported. If you have questions about how your specific therapy supports are categorised, speak with your support coordinator.
Will my therapy funding be reduced under the new rules?
The intent behind the NDIS therapy claiming changes 2026 is to recategorise, not reduce, therapy funding. However, if your current plan’s Capacity Building allocation is lower than your actual therapy costs, there may be a shortfall. A plan review is the right way to address this and Chapman Support can help you prepare for one.
What if I don’t have Capacity Building in my plan?
If you currently access therapy supports NDIS through Core Supports only, and your plan has no Capacity Building section, you will need to request a plan review before July 2026. Don’t put this off plan reviews can take time, and you want yours completed well before the change takes effect.
Does this affect all NDIS participants or just some?
The NDIS July 2026 changes specifically affect participants who currently claim any therapy under Core Supports. If you already claim all therapy under NDIS capacity building, your claiming process will not change. If you’re unsure, check your plan statement or ask your support coordinator or contact Chapman Support for a free plan review.
Book a Free Plan Review with Chapman Support
The NDIS therapy claiming changes 2026 are one of the most significant claiming rule changes in recent years and participants in Coffs Harbour deserve clear, local guidance to navigate them confidently.Book a free plan review with Chapman Support Services today. Our team will go through your plan with you, explain exactly how the NDIS July 2026 changes affect your situation, and help you take the steps needed to protect your therapy funding before the deadline.