What NDIS psychology is for
NDIS psychology focuses on functional capacity: the things you can and cannot do day to day because of your disability. It should have clear goals and a timeframe, and link back to what you want to achieve in your plan.
The NDIA's own examples of psychology it might fund include:
- Sessions to build problem solving strategies for everyday activities and community life
- Therapy to develop self confidence and emotional regulation strategies
- Strategies to improve motivation and organisation so you can manage daily tasks
What the NDIS will not fund
Clinical mental health supports are not NDIS supports. That means the NDIS will not pay for psychology that is for diagnosing, assessing, treating or monitoring a mental health condition, or therapy aimed mainly at reducing symptoms. Those are the health system's responsibility, through state and territory services and Medicare.
The same session can look similar either way. What matters is its purpose: building or maintaining your capacity can be NDIS funded, while treating the condition is not.
NDIS psychology or Medicare Better Access?
Under the Better Access initiative, people with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions each calendar year. You need a referral, usually from your GP as part of a mental health treatment plan, or a direct referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Many NDIS participants use both: Better Access for treatment of a mental health condition, and NDIS funding for psychology linked to their disability and goals. Each session can only be paid by one of them, so be clear with your psychologist about which one you are using.
How much NDIS psychology costs
For 2026/27 the price limit for a psychologist is $252.99 an hour in most of Australia, $354.19 in remote areas and $379.49 in very remote areas. The limit was raised to bring it closer to what Medicare and private health insurance pay.
Psychologists usually also charge for writing reports and for some travel, within the NDIS rules. If you are agency managed or plan managed, a psychologist cannot charge you more than the price limit. Ask for a quote or a service agreement before you start.
Which budget pays for it
Psychology is usually paid from your Capacity Building budget, most often improved daily living skills. Psychology that is part of behaviour support may sit under improved relationships.
When your plan is created, reassessed or renewed between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027, the improved daily living skills budget is reduced by 10% under a support determination. Some supports are protected from that reduction, including intensive and complex behaviour supports. Check what is left before you book a long block of sessions.
Finding the right psychologist
A psychologist must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). If you are agency managed, you also need an NDIS registered provider. Plan managed and self managed participants can use psychologists who are not NDIS registered.
Look for someone who has worked with your type of disability and understands the NDIS. Ask how they set goals, how they will show progress, and whether they offer telehealth if travel is hard. A provisional psychologist working towards full registration is billed at the lower counselling price limit.