In long awaited news about the results of the Annual Pricing Review, we can report that an 8.6% increase will be applied to psychologists’ NDIS hourly price limits from 1 July 2026.
The pricing update reflects new hourly price limits for therapy supports, early childhood supports and specialist behaviour intervention supports provided by psychologists. The price limits for these items have increased by $20 per hour at the national rate, and more for participants in remote locations.
We welcome this increase, consistent with our ongoing advocacy about the value of psychology in the NDIS, which extends far beyond just the hourly rate.
Psychologists are a vital part of the NDIS support ecosystem. With 5.5 million Australians living with disability, the need for the expertise of psychologists has never been greater.
While the result for psychologists is positive, we acknowledge that other allied health providers have not received an increase in fees or have had their fees reduced. We are concerned about the impact of this outcome on NDIS participants and other allied health providers, particularly in the context of ongoing uncertainty and cost reduction measures across the NDIS. The APS position has always been that for the NDIS to be sustainable and effective, pricing decisions must be fair and equitable for all providers.
We are also aware that a price increase for psychologists may lead to psychology supports being inappropriately replaced with supports from other professions with a lower price limit, but that are not a like-for-like replacement in fit or outcomes for participants. The APS will continue to advocate for the role of psychology and the unique contribution psychologists make within the NDIS to be protected and for the trend of cuts to be reversed.
We are also disappointed that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has not heeded its own recommendation to release pricing outcomes early. The delayed release of the report will create significant additional pressure on providers with less than seven working days before the changes come into effect on 1 July.
What this means for you
The NDIA acknowledged that the previous rates did not reflect market rates for psychologists. The new hourly price limits from 1 July 2026 are:
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2025-26 hourly price limit
(1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026)
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2026-27 hourly price limit
(from 1 July 2026)
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Change
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National
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$232.99
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$252.99
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+$20.00
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Remote
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$326.19
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$354.19
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+$28.00
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Very remote
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$349.49
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$379.49
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+$30.00
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A separate line item has been created for provider travel (which disappointingly remains at 50% of the hourly rate, that is, $126.50 at the national rate). Separate item numbers are also now provided for cancellations, telehealth and non-face-to-face services and NDIA requested reports.
The NDIS Pricing Schedule for 2026-27 (previously known as the Pricing Arrangements and Price List, or PAPL) is available here.
Item numbers and full pricing details are available in the Pricing Schedule as follows:
- Therapeutic Supports: Table 27
- Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support: Table 33
- Early Childhood Intervention: Table 47
I would like to thank our APS NDIS Working Group members for their expert input and support, which has directly shaped our submission to the Annual Pricing Review.
We will continue to keep you informed.
Yours sincerely,
Kelly
Dr Kelly Gough
President
Further information