S9E08 - The Year of Uncertainty Continues
Pricing uncertainty continues to affect providers
For many providers, annual pricing updates remain a significant source of uncertainty. Business owners are often required to make decisions about staffing and service delivery without knowing exactly what future funding arrangements will look like.
Combined with rising employment costs and workforce reforms, these changes are placing increasing pressure on provider sustainability, particularly for smaller practices.
The growing loss of experienced therapists
Across Australia, many experienced occupational therapists are reconsidering their future within the NDIS. While financial pressures contribute to this trend, increasing administrative demands, system changes and frustration with decision-making processes are also driving clinicians away from the scheme.
The impact extends beyond individual businesses. Experienced therapists bring years of clinical reasoning, assessment expertise and mentorship to the profession. As these practitioners leave, participants lose access to valuable knowledge and support.
Moral injury and professional frustration
Many therapists report feeling that their professional expertise is being given less weight despite extensive assessment and evidence gathering. When recommendations are repeatedly challenged or dismissed, it can create significant professional frustration and contribute to moral injury.
For a profession built on evidence-based practice and participant-centred care, this can be particularly difficult. Over time, the emotional burden contributes to burnout and influences decisions to leave the sector altogether.
Advocacy and sector response
Recent NDIS consultation processes have demonstrated the strength of engagement across the disability sector. Thousands of submissions were lodged by clinicians, providers, participants and advocacy groups, highlighting widespread concern about proposed reforms.
While the outcome remains uncertain, these submissions reflect a profession determined to contribute its expertise and advocate for meaningful outcomes. Advocacy continues to be a core part of occupational therapy practice, both at an individual and systemic level.
AI in occupational therapy
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly common across healthcare, particularly for tasks such as note-taking, report drafting and written communication. Used appropriately, these tools can reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency.
However, AI cannot replace clinical reasoning. Occupational therapy relies on contextual understanding, professional judgement and relationship-based practice. Therapists remain responsible for ensuring documentation is accurate, clinically appropriate and reflective of participant needs.
The use of AI also raises important considerations around consent, privacy and data security. Clear communication with participants and strong governance processes remain essential as technology becomes more integrated into practice.
Looking ahead
The coming months are likely to bring further change across the NDIS landscape. Pricing decisions, legislative reforms and technological developments will continue to shape the way occupational therapists work and how participants access support.
While the challenges are significant, the profession’s ongoing commitment to advocacy, clinical excellence and participant-centred practice remains unchanged. Supporting workforce sustainability and valuing professional expertise will be critical to the future success of both occupational therapy and the NDIS.
Key takeaways for OTs
• Pricing uncertainty continues to create challenges for providers and business planning.
• Experienced occupational therapists are increasingly leaving the NDIS workforce.
• Moral injury is contributing to clinician burnout and workforce attrition.
• Strong engagement in consultation processes highlights the sector’s commitment to advocacy.
• AI can improve efficiency but cannot replace clinical reasoning and professional judgement.
• Participant consent, privacy and data security remain essential when using AI tools.
• Supporting workforce sustainability is critical for the future of participant care.
