What Does an Occupational Therapist Do Under the NDIS?

You’ve probably heard of Occupational Therapy — but what exactly does an Occupational Therapist (OT) do under the NDIS?

The short answer: a lot.

Occupational Therapists are trained health professionals who support participants to build the skills they need for daily life, emotional wellbeing, and independence. They’re especially helpful for children, teens, and adults with developmental delays, autism, intellectual disability, sensory processing challenges, and more.

Let’s take a look at how OTs work within the NDIS system — and when you might want to bring one on board.

🧠 What Does “Occupation” Mean in Occupational Therapy?

The word “occupation” in this context doesn’t mean jobs — it means any meaningful activity a person does in their daily life.

For example:

• Getting dressed

• Eating with cutlery

• Writing or typing

• Regulating emotions

• Playing with others

• Shopping, cooking, using public transport

• Planning, organising, or problem-solving

If a person is struggling with these tasks, an OT can help.

🎯 How OTs Support NDIS Participants

Occupational Therapists can support with:

• Fine motor skills (e.g. holding a pencil, using buttons or zippers)

• Gross motor skills (e.g. balance, coordination, strength)

• Sensory regulation (e.g. managing noise, textures, or busy environments)

• Emotional regulation (e.g. calming strategies, Zones of Regulation tools)

• Executive functioning (e.g. memory, routines, time management)

• Self-care tasks (e.g. hygiene, toileting, dressing, cooking)

• Social participation (e.g. turn-taking, reading body language)

• Assistive technology recommendations

• Home and environment modifications

They don’t just give exercises — they often observe participants in real-world environments, give families strategies, and work collaboratively with other providers.

📋 How OT Support Is Funded in the NDIS

Most OT support is funded under:

• Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living

Depending on your plan, you may also access:

• Assistive Technology budget

• Home Modifications

• Core – Consumables (for sensory tools, adaptive equipment, etc.)

NDIS OTs must be registered with AHPRA, and if you’re agency-managed, they also need to be NDIS-registered.

💬 Do I Need an OT Report for NDIS?

In most cases, yes.

OTs provide essential assessments and reports for:

• Initial access or plan reviews

• Equipment recommendations

• Functional capacity assessments

• Home modification approvals

• Behaviour support plans (in collaboration with PBS practitioners)

A well-written OT report can make a big difference to a participant’s NDIS funding.

👩‍⚕️ What to Look for in an NDIS Occupational Therapist

Great OTs:

• Explain things in clear, participant-friendly language

• Work in a strength-based, respectful way

• Understand trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practices

• Involve the participant and family in goal-setting

• Offer practical, real-life strategies — not just worksheets

• Provide ongoing support and progress updates

🧡 Need Help Finding an OT?

While we don’t offer OT services directly at Loving Life, we regularly work alongside incredible local OTs and are happy to point you in the right direction.

Feel free to contact us and we can connect you with a qualified, participant-focused professional OR check out our NDIS Provider Directory to search for Occupational Therapists on the Gold Coast.