NDIS Pricing Arrangements + Price Limits 2025–26
NDIS Price Guide 2025–26: the published rates explained
The NDIA publishes price caps for every funded service. Registered providers cannot charge above the cap under NDIA-managed or plan-managed arrangements. Self-managed participants can negotiate above cap if the support remains reasonable + necessary. The current rates apply from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026.
Always cross-check the source
Rates below reflect the published 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Verify the current rate for your specific service at ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements before any payment decision.
★Key takeaways
- ✓NDIS publishes maximum hourly price caps – registered providers cannot exceed them under NDIA-managed or plan-managed arrangements. Self-managed participants can negotiate above cap if the support is reasonable + necessary.
- ✓Standard support worker weekday daytime: $67.56/hr. Saturday loading +40%, Sunday +80%, public holiday +120%, overnight active +220%.
- ✓Therapy hourly caps: OT/physio/speech/dietetics/behaviour support $193.99/hr; psychology $214.41/hr; specialist behaviour support $224.41/hr; counselling $157.84/hr.
- ✓Plan management fees (separately funded): $232.35 set-up + $104.45/month ongoing. SIL is rostered at hourly support-worker rates – typical $150,000–$700,000/yr depending on complexity.
- ✓SDA annual payments: $22,000 (Improved Liveability) up to $124,000 (High Physical Support) per resident. Paid to the SDA dwelling owner.
- ✓Cancellation: 100% of agreed fee charged for cancellations made within 7 clear business days. Travel time: capped 30 min/each way metro, 60 min remote. Mileage: $0.97/km between participants.
Core supports
Support worker hourly caps
National rates excluding remote loading. The cap depends on (1) skill level of the worker + (2) time of week worked. Weekend + overnight loadings flow from the SCHADS Award penalty rate structure.
| Worker level | Weekday day | Weekday evening | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Active overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard support worker (Level 1) | $67.56 | $74.44 | $95.07 | $122.59 | $150.10 | $216.99 |
| Senior support worker (Level 2) | $73.40 | $80.85 | $103.27 | $133.15 | $163.03 | $235.78 |
| Specialist support worker (Level 3) | $80.06 | $88.16 | $112.66 | $145.27 | $177.87 | $257.07 |
Item codes follow the NDIS Support Catalogue structure (e.g. 01_011_0107_1_1 for standard daytime weekday assistance with daily life). All figures NDIS Pricing Arrangements + Price Limits 2025–26. National rates excluding remote loading.
Capacity Building – therapy
Allied health hourly caps
Most allied health disciplines share a single $193.99/hr cap. Psychology + specialist behaviour support sit higher; counselling sits lower; exercise physiology slightly below.
| Discipline | Price cap | Item code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy | $193.99/hr | 15_055_0128_1_3 | Most common allied health discipline in NDIS plans |
| Physiotherapy | $193.99/hr | 15_201_0128_1_3 | Includes hydrotherapy where appropriate |
| Speech Pathology | $193.99/hr | 15_056_0118_1_3 | Includes AAC device assessment + training |
| Exercise Physiology | $166.99/hr | 15_200_0126_1_3 | Linked to disability-related health goals only |
| Dietetics | $193.99/hr | 15_054_0125_1_3 | For swallowing, dysphagia, disability-linked nutrition |
| Psychology | $214.41/hr | 15_058_0128_1_3 | Higher cap reflects clinical specialisation |
| Behaviour Support Practitioner | $193.99/hr | 15_621_0128_1_3 | Includes BSP development + practitioner training |
| Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner | $224.41/hr | 15_622_0128_1_3 | Highest level of behaviour support – complex cases |
| Social Work | $193.99/hr | 15_059_0128_1_3 | Disability-related social work intervention |
| Counselling | $157.84/hr | 15_043_0128_1_3 | Generic counselling, lower cap than psychology |
Capacity Building – coordination
Support coordination + plan management
| Service | Price cap | Item code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Connection (Level 1) | $67.56/hr | 07_001_0106_8_3 | Light-touch – finding providers + getting started |
| Coordination of Supports (Level 2) | $100.14/hr | 07_002_0106_8_3 | Most common level – capacity building + plan implementation |
| Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3) | $190.54/hr | 07_004_0132_8_3 | Allied-health-qualified – complex situations |
| Plan management – set-up fee (one-off) | $232.35 | 14_033_0127_8_3 | Charged at first plan only |
| Plan management – monthly fee | $104.45/month | 14_034_0127_8_3 | Charged each month, separately funded |
Support coordination + plan management are separately funded – they do not draw from your other supports. Plan management funding is locked: you cannot move it to therapy or support workers.
SIL pricing
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL is funded as a roster of staffing hours, not a flat rate. Hourly support-worker rates apply (Level 1, 2 or 3 above) based on participant complexity. A typical SIL plan funds 1:1 daytime support, ratio-shared overnight + 1:1 awake-overnight if behaviour support requires it.
1:3 shared SIL, moderate needs
~$150,000–$200,000/yr
3 residents sharing 1 worker by day, sleep-over overnight, ~24 hrs/day rostered.
1:1 SIL, high needs
~$280,000–$380,000/yr
Dedicated worker daytime + active overnight care, full 168 hrs/wk staffing.
2:1 SIL, very complex behaviour
~$500,000–$700,000+/yr
Two staff at all times for behaviour support + physical safety. Smallest cohort.
SIL funding is quoted on the participant\'s Roster of Care + agreed individually with the NDIA. The figures above are observational ranges, not entitlements.
Capital – accommodation
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA is paid to the dwelling owner (provider, investor, or family trust) as an annual stream – not to the participant. The amount depends on the SDA design category, location + number of residents.
| SDA design category | Annual SDA payment (per resident) | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Liveability | ~$22,000–$30,000/yr | Sensory impairment, moderate cognitive impairment. |
| Fully Accessible | ~$56,000–$72,000/yr | Significant physical impairment requiring fully accessible build. |
| Robust | ~$78,000–$96,000/yr | Complex behaviour requiring resilient build (damage-resistant fittings). |
| High Physical Support | ~$96,000–$124,000/yr | Very high physical needs – ceiling hoists, fully accessible bathrooms, structural reinforcement. |
Ranges reflect 2025–26 SDA price levels across location modifiers (metro / regional / remote). The Legacy SDA category is being progressively phased out. SDA is approved separately from SIL – having one does not guarantee the other.
Travel + non-labour costs
What providers can claim on top
Providers can claim travel time from the previous appointment (or office) to the participant + return. Travel time is claimed at the same hourly rate as the support itself. Capped at 30 minutes each way in metro/regional areas + 60 minutes each way in remote areas. Mileage claimable at the published rate when travelling between participants.
| Item | Cap | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time (metro/regional) | Up to 30 minutes each way | Provider hourly rate |
| Travel time (remote / very remote) | Up to 60 minutes each way | Provider hourly rate |
| Mileage (between participants) | $0.97/km (2025–26) | Standard kilometre rate |
| Non-labour travel costs | Claimable at cost | Tolls, parking, public transport |
Common questions
NDIS Price Guide – common questions
Are these rates the maximum providers can charge?
Yes – under NDIA-managed + plan-managed arrangements. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements + Price Limits set the maximum hourly cap registered providers can charge. They cannot charge above this. Self-managed participants can negotiate above the cap with a provider if the support remains "reasonable + necessary" – this is the only management option that permits rates above cap.
Why do weekend rates cost more?
Weekend + public holiday rates reflect the higher labour cost under the Social, Community, Home Care + Disability Services (SCHADS) Award. The NDIS Price Guide passes the award penalty rates through to the participant's plan – Saturday is roughly +40% on weekday rate, Sunday +80%, public holiday +120%. If your support pattern includes regular weekend hours, this materially affects your Core budget consumption.
Are these prices the same Australia-wide?
Mostly, with remote loadings. The national rates above apply across metro + regional Australia. Remote + very remote areas get a published loading (typically 25% or 50% above the national rate) to reflect higher cost of service delivery. Check the current loading + classified area at <a href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements" class="text-[var(--vbrand)] underline">ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements</a>.
What is the cancellation policy?
Participants can be charged for short-notice cancellations: 100% of the agreed fee if cancelled within 7 clear business days of the appointment (NDIS Price Guide rules, applies to all support categories). Providers cannot charge for cancellations made more than 7 business days out. Repeated short-notice cancellations can result in the NDIA capping how much cancellation revenue a provider can claim per plan.
Why is psychology priced higher than other therapy?
Psychology has a higher cap ($214.41/hr) reflecting the clinical specialisation, longer training pathway + the higher labour-market rate for registered psychologists. Specialist behaviour-support practitioners – a related discipline used for complex behaviour-driven plans – sit higher again at $224.41/hr. Generic counselling sits below psychology at $157.84/hr.
How does telehealth pricing work?
Telehealth is priced at the same hourly cap as in-person delivery – there is no telehealth discount or premium under the Price Guide. Providers can charge their cap for video or phone sessions, but cannot claim travel time for telehealth. Group telehealth sessions are usually charged at a lower per-participant rate.
Can a provider charge me for paperwork or report-writing?
Yes, at the same hourly cap as the service. Therapy reports, behaviour support plan drafting, functional capacity assessments + similar written work is billable at the practitioner's hourly rate, against your Capacity Building or appropriate sub-category. A provider should give you an estimate of hours upfront for any major report.
Where do I report a provider charging above cap?
Report to the NDIS Quality + Safeguards Commission at 1800 035 544 or ndiscommission.gov.au. Above-cap charging under NDIA-managed or plan-managed arrangements is a breach of provider registration conditions + the NDIS Code of Conduct. Self-managed participants who accept above-cap rates with full understanding cannot complain after the fact – but can challenge if the rate was not disclosed before service delivery.