What the Latest NDIS Pricing Review Means for You….and for Us
At Candia Care and Support, we always strive to stay ahead of industry changes so that the individuals and families we support never feel left behind. The NDIA has just released its Annual Pricing Review (APR) and while we’re still waiting on the full Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) document to arrive, there’s already plenty to unpack.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what it could mean for both participants and providers like us.
What’s Changing – The Good News
- Increases for Disability Support Worker (DSW) Funded Supports
From July 1, 2025, price limits for many core supports will increase slightly. This follows the Fair Work Commission’s 3.5% minimum wage increase, plus a 0.5% superannuation bump.
✅ What this means for participants:
If you receive supports like personal care, community access or psychosocial recovery coaching, your providers will be paid a little more. This helps ensure workers are fairly compensated and the support workforce remains strong.
- Psychology Fees Aligned Nationally
A new national rate of $232.99/hour is being introduced for psychology services, replacing varied state rates.
✅ What this means for participants:
This may result in a small increase in cost for some participants (NSW, QLD, VIC) but a decrease in others (WA, SA, NT, TAS). The goal is a fairer, more consistent approach across Australia.
What’s Not Changing – Or Getting Tougher
- Support Coordination and Plan Management
Despite rising costs, these services are facing yet another year of price freezes, plus some extra cuts.
Support Coordinators:
- No increase to hourly rates
- Remote loadings removed
- No setup fees allowed for Plan Managers
❗ What this means for participants:
While these changes won’t directly affect the funds in your plan, they may impact how easily you can find and retain a quality Support Coordinator or Plan Manager. At Candia Care, we remain committed to delivering consistent, high-quality service – even as the sector faces growing pressures.
- Therapy Supports – A Mixed Bag
Some therapy services will decrease in price, including:
- Physiotherapy: down $10/hour
- Dietetics & Podiatry: down $5/hour
In addition, price caps will now be listed in 10-minute blocks, aiming for more flexible billing and alignment with actual service time.
What this means for participants:
Therapists may reduce session lengths or change how they deliver services. Travel costs will now be capped at 50% of the hourly rate, which may affect how far therapists are willing to travel for appointments.
We’ll work closely with all our therapy partners to minimise disruption and ensure continued access to the supports you need.
What’s Still to Come
We’re still waiting on the full Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) document, which will provide more detail and possibly some surprises. Once it’s released, we’ll provide another update to help you make sense of what’s changing.
💬 Final Thoughts – Our Commitment to You
These updates bring both progress and pressure. While we welcome the wage increases for frontline staff, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing freeze on essential coordination and plan management services that help participants like you navigate the system and make informed choices.
At Candia Care and Support, we’ll keep advocating for fair pricing and policies that centre participant wellbeing. More than that, we’re here to help you understand what this all means for your NDIS plan, your supports, and your goals.
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to chat about how these changes may affect you, please reach out. We’re always here to help.
Jodie x
Founder – Candia Care and Support
