Therapy Near Me Mental Health Articles

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a pivotal Australian government initiative designed to support people with a permanent and significant disability, including those with severe mental health conditions. This article explores the scope of NDIS funding for psychological services, outlining how it supports participants and the impact of this support on mental health care in Australia.

If you need help with the NDIS application process, please read our other article that outlines the process.

The NDIS provides funding to eligible individuals to access the support and services needed to manage their disability and improve their life quality. Psychological services are a crucial component of this, intended for those whose mental health issues are considered to be long-standing and likely to persist, impacting their functional capacity significantly (NDIS, 2021).

To access psychological services under the NDIS, participants must have an impairment that is attributable to a psychiatric condition and results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake one or more of the following activities: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management. This impairment must affect the individual’s capacity for social and economic participation and require lifelong or extended support (National Disability Insurance Agency, 2020).

NDIS participants can receive funding for various psychological interventions which are considered reasonable and necessary for their situation. These typically include:

• Individual counselling to help manage emotions and improve mental health.
• Behaviour support to manage challenging behaviours associated with a mental health disorder.
• Therapeutic supports including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based interventions.
• Capacity building supports to enhance skills for increased independence and participation in the community (Purcal et al., 2016).

The amount of funding an NDIS participant can receive for psychological services depends on several factors:

1. Individual Plan: Each participant has an individual plan that outlines their goals and the supports funded by the NDIS. The funding for psychological services is tailored to meet the specific needs of the participant as outlined in their plan.
2. Reasonable and Necessary Supports: Funding is allocated based on what is deemed reasonable and necessary for the participant’s situation. This includes considering the participant’s needs, goals, and what is generally available to individuals without a disability (NDIS, 2021).
3. Plan Management: How a plan is managed (self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed) can also affect how funds are accessed and used.

While there is no fixed rate or cap specifically for psychological services as allocations are highly personalised, participants can look at general trends for guidance. On average, participants receiving therapeutic supports for psychological services can expect parts of their plan to allocate funds ranging from several thousand to over tens of thousands of dollars annually, depending on their assessed needs. For example, a comprehensive support plan for severe mental health conditions might allocate more funding to cover intensive therapeutic interventions (Mavromaras et al., 2018).

To ensure adequate funding and effective use of allocated resources, participants should consider the following steps:

• Clear Goal Setting: Clearly defined goals in the NDIS plan are crucial. They guide the types of supports funded and the amount of funding received.
• Regular Plan Reviews: Regularly reviewing and updating the NDIS plan can help adjust the funding based on changing needs.
• Engagement with Professionals: Working closely with qualified mental health professionals who understand NDIS funding can help in accurately identifying needs and appropriate supports.
• Utilisation of Supports: Ensuring that all funded supports are utilised to their fullest helps in demonstrating the necessity for ongoing or increased funding in future plan reviews.

While NDIS funding for psychological services is substantial, there have been challenges in access and utilisation. Studies have shown that navigating the NDIS process can be complex, and not all eligible individuals are able to access the psychological support they need (Mavromaras et al., 2018). Issues such as geographical disparities in the availability of qualified psychologists and administrative hurdles have also been identified.

The effectiveness of NDIS-funded psychological services in improving mental health outcomes has been positive, but there is ongoing need for research into long-term impacts (King et al., 2019). It is essential that services funded are evidence-based and delivered by qualified professionals to ensure they meet the participants’ needs adequately.

Ongoing evaluation and adaptation of funding models and service delivery are crucial to meet the changing needs of NDIS participants. This includes improving system navigability, increasing the availability of services, and ensuring that all interventions are culturally appropriate and person-centred.

NDIS funding for psychological services represents a significant advancement in supporting Australians with disabilities affecting their mental health. While there are challenges in implementation and service delivery, the potential benefits of comprehensive and accessible psychological support are immense. Continuous improvement in policy and practice will enhance the effectiveness of NDIS initiatives in promoting mental well-being among its participants.

Click here for our NDIS participant referral form

• National Disability Insurance Agency. (2020). Psychosocial Disability Recovery-Oriented Framework. NDIA.
• NDIS. (2021). Operational Guidelines for NDIS Participants. NDIA.
• Purcal, C., Fisher, K. R., & Laragy, C. (2016). Analysing choice in Australian individual funding disability policies. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 75(4), 468-482.
• Mavromaras, K., Moskos, M., Mahuteau, S., & Liao, P. (2018). Evaluation of the NDIS: Final Report. National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University.
• Mavromaras, K., Moskos, M., & Mahuteau, S. (2018). Evaluation of the NDIS, Final Report. National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University.
• King, D., Delfabbro, P., & Griffiths, M. (2019). The psychological benefits of participating in disability sports. Disability and Health Journal, 12(3), 402-408.

How to get in touch

If you or your patient/NDIS clients need immediate mental healthcare assistance, feel free to get in contact with us on 1800 NEAR ME – admin@therapynearme.com.au.