18/02/2026
How will allied health therapies be categorised under New Framework Plans? Yesterday, the government published a consultation paper exploring this question.
The consultation paper says New Framework Plans will not outline a “type” of therapy (eg. OT, physio, etc), but will say the therapy “category.”
So what is a therapy category? Got to love these new NDIS terms that keep popping up like whack-a-moles.
The paper proposes 3 therapy categories. The difference between them really comes down to which I-CAN life domain the therapy will address. Eventually, each category will have a list of therapy types that fall under it. But the gov is still working out that detail.
The 3 categories are:
1️⃣General therapy
Therapies aimed at increasing, maintaining or reducing a decline in functional capacity, in these I-CAN domains: communication, community, social and civic life, domestic life, general tasks and demands, interpersonal interactions and relationships, learning and applying knowledge, lifelong learning, mobility, self-care.
This will be available to most participants assessed as eligible for therapy support.
2️⃣Social therapy
Therapies aimed at increasing, maintaining or reducing a decline in functional capacity, in these I-CAN domains: communication, community, social and civic life, general tasks and demands, interpersonal interactions and relationships, learning and applying knowledge, lifelong learning.
3️⃣Physical and health-related therapy
Therapies aimed at increasing, maintaining or reducing a decline in functional capacity, in theseI-CAN domains: communication, domestic life, general tasks and demands, mobility, self-care.
To learn more, go to: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/defining-therapy-supports-consultation-with-allied-health-sector?language=en