Media release

Physiotherapy expertise essential to new NDIS access assessments

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on the Australian Government to ensure physiotherapists play a key role in the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) functional capacity assessment process, warning that standardised tools alone risk overlooking significant physical limitations.
  • 23 Oct, 2026

Functional capacity assessment for NDIS access

Statement by the Australian Physiotherapy Association 

October 2026

media statement

APA statement on the passage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill

The Australian Physiotherapy Association shares the deep concern expressed by people with disability, families, carers and organisations across the sector following passage of NDIS Amendment Bill.
inquiry

APA fronts Senate hearing to protect essential NDIS supports

Physiotherapy peak calls for stronger safeguards as provider confidence weakens The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) will appear before the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee at Parliament House today, urging Parliament not to pass the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 without significant amendments while new polling shows confidence among physiotherapy providers is deteriorating.
  • 23 Oct, 2026

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission by the Australian Physiotherapy Association

June 2026

Two people walking away, one on the left uses a prosthetic leg

Flawed NDIS price freeze for physiotherapy fails to recognise increasing cost of delivering high-quality supports, contradicts efforts to reform the Scheme

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is incredibly disappointed by the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) decision to freeze price limits for physiotherapy supports for the coming year. The unfounded decision contradicts recently announced National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reform efforts, ignores the rising cost of providing high-quality support and relies on a flawed assessment of current market conditions.
Person with camo and Australian flag on sleeve

Federal budget 2026-27: A step forward, but deeper reform needed

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) cautiously welcomes the reform-focused sentiment of the 2026-27 Federal budget tonight and a positive announcement for veterans’ health.

APA National President Dr Rik Dawson said that this government’s willingness to pursue health care reform, despite the challenges of the current fiscal environment, is commendable.

‘We are pleased to see that, despite the challenging fiscal environment, the 2026-27 federal budget prioritises reforms across the health care sector,’ said Dr Dawson.

NDIS reform 2026

Federal Government commits to significant NDIS reform

Yesterday, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler spoke before the National Press Club, announcing the Federal Government’s plans for significant reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the coming year.  

  • 23 Oct, 2026

NSW Market Insights regarding Foundational Supports for Children

Submission by the Australian Physiotherapy Association

February 2026