Physiotherapy expertise essential to new NDIS access assessments

From 1 January 2028, the Government plans to introduce a new approach to assessing functional capacity for NDIS access, with existing participants transitioning to the new arrangements over three years. 

With the assessment framework, tools and thresholds still being developed, the APA is urging the Government to ensure assessments are person-centred, informed by clinical evidence and supported by appropriately qualified health professionals. 

APA National President Dr Rik Dawson said physiotherapy expertise is critical to understanding how physical limitations affect a person’s everyday life. 

‘A standardised tool may identify that someone has difficulty completing an activity, but it cannot always explain why, or whether they can do it safely, reliably and repeatedly,’ Dr Dawson said. 

‘Physiotherapists assess movement and physical function, identify safety risks and understand how factors such as pain, weakness, fatigue and impaired motor control affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities. 

‘Where movement, mobility, physical function or safety is relevant to a NDIS access decision, physiotherapy input must be part of the process. Without it, significant physical limitations could be overlooked.’ 

The APA is calling for three key reforms: requiring relevant physiotherapy input, ensuring assessments reflect a person’s lived experience and everyday function, and matching assessors’ clinical expertise to each person’s needs. 

Dr Dawson said assessments must look beyond what a person can do at a single point in time. 

‘A person’s ability to complete an activity can change depending on their environment, fatigue and recovery needs. Assessments must reflect these real-world challenges, alongside the person’s lived experience and clinical evidence. 

‘Where someone has complex physical disability, movement difficulties or significant mobility or safety risks, a physiotherapist should undertake or lead that part of the assessment. Where needs are more complex, input from a multidisciplinary team may be needed.’ 

The APA is also calling for existing evidence from treating practitioners to be properly considered, with any additional assessments funded, timely and accessible to avoid unnecessary duplication. 

‘The new tools and thresholds must be properly tested, and clinical reasoning must remain part of the process to help explain findings and resolve uncertainty,’ Dr Dawson said. 

‘Getting this right is essential to ensuring people with permanent and significant disability can access and remain in the NDIS based on fair, accurate and clinically informed assessments.’ 

Read the full reform statement on the APA’s website. 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association is the peak body representing physiotherapists in Australia.