If you’re ready to see how a “blended” occupational therapy team can stretch your plan further, you can jump straight to our online intake form.
Managing an NDIS plan in 2026 requires a strategic mindset. You want the highest quality care for your family, but you also need to make sure your funding lasts for the full duration of your plan. For many participants in Blackburn and Bundoora, the “funding wall” is a real concern, where the budget for a Senior Occupational Therapist runs dry halfway through the year. Fortunately, there is a way to save your NDIS budget without sacrificing progress. By integrating Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) into your routine, you can actually increase your weekly therapy hours while lowering your overall costs.
At Posity, we specialise in multi-disciplinary care that prioritises results. Whether you are seeking Occupational Therapy services for a toddler or an adult, AHAs provide the frequent, consistent practice needed to turn goals into habits.
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The Math Behind the Savings
The NDIS Price Guide sets different hourly rates for different levels of expertise. An OT has a higher rate due to their advanced clinical diagnostic and assessment skills. Conversely, an AHA has a significantly lower hourly rate because their primary role is the implementation of therapy.
Consequently, when you use an AHA to facilitate your regular weekly sessions, you save your NDIS budget significantly. For the price of one hour with an OT, you can often secure two or even three hours with an AHA. This “high-frequency” model is particularly effective for:
- Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) where repetition is vital for brain development.
- Physical rehabilitation and adult OT assessments and services maintenance.
- Occupational therapy for adolescents working on complex life skills.
Why “More Hours” Leads to Better Outcomes
It’s a simple biological fact: the brain learns through repetition. Seeing a therapist once a month is great for checking progress, but it isn’t enough to master a new skill like handwriting, dressing, or emotional regulation. Specifically, utilizing AHAs allows you to:
1. Practice in the “Real World”
Our community occupational therapy model excels when AHAs are involved. They can meet you at your home in Blackburn, your child’s school in Bundoora, or the local shops in Doncaster. Because the cost is lower, you can afford for them to stay longer and support you through an entire grocery shop or a full morning routine.
2. Maintain Consistency
If your Senior OT is busy with paediatric occupational therapy assessments, your AHA ensures your child’s therapy never misses a beat. Specifically, they follow the exact program set by the OT. This ensures that occupational therapy for kids remains a constant, predictable part of your child’s week.
3. Access Flexible Support
We even offer telehealth services where our OTs can remotely supervise your AHA. This provides a high-level clinical safety net while still maintaining the cost-effective benefits of the assistant-led model.
[Image: A child practicing fine motor skills with an AHA in a playground setting]
How to Request an AHA-Led Model
If you want to save your NDIS budget this year, the best time to act is now. During your next plan review or intake session, ask your therapist about an “AHA-implementation model.” Specifically, you can request that your funding be allocated in a way that allows for:
- A Senior OT to handle the initial assessment , bi-weekly sessions and six-monthly reviews.
- An AHA to handle the weekly or bi-weekly therapy delivery.
This structure is widely supported by the NDIA because it demonstrates “Value for Money” while delivering high-intensity support.
Stretch Your Potential in Blackburn and Bundoora
At Posity, we are committed to helping you get the absolute most out of every NDIS dollar. By combining clinical excellence with affordable, high-frequency support, we help you reach your milestones faster. Specifically, we serve families across Melbourne’s east and north who are ready to work smarter, not just harder.
Ready to increase your therapy hours without draining your plan? Fill out our intake form here and let’s discuss how an Allied Health Assistant can help you save your NDIS budget today.