NDIS pricing recommendations risk access to vital speech pathology care

Media release

Key messages

  • Speech pathologists and participants have been let down once again by the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA’s) allied health therapy pricing recommendations for 2025-26, which threaten access to vital speech pathology services.
  • Price limits for speech pathology services have been frozen for 6 years. This is a price cut in real terms, given the escalating cost of living.
  • The proposed 50% reduction in the provider travel rate will significantly impact access to care, particularly for those living outside of metropolitan areas, or for participants unable to travel. It limits the viability of speech pathologists providing care to participants in their communities, homes and education settings.
  • Speech Pathology Australia urges the NDIA to set aside the current pricing recommendations and instead undertake formal public consultation and a thorough review of service delivery costs to inform pricing. This is essential to ensure continued access to care.

The NDIA has released findings for its 2024/25 Annual Pricing Review, which will inform the next round of pricing arrangements from 1 July 2025.

Communication is a fundamental human right, and access to speech pathology care is essential to ensure people with communication and swallowing needs can fully participate in everyday life, connect with others, and maintain their health and wellbeing.

Speech Pathology Australia calls on the NDIA to urgently reconsider its pricing recommendations and engage in genuine consultation with the sector. We urge the government to ensure pricing reflects the true cost of care, so that every NDIS participant can access the speech pathology support they need, when and where they need it.


Quotes attributable to Speech Pathology Australia President, Kathryn Mckinley:

“These pricing recommendations risk limiting participants’ access to vital speech pathology services.“

“There was no formal or public consultation with peak bodies during this year’s pricing review. Despite our best efforts to respond to ad hoc enquiries from the NDIA, once again, our advice has been disregarded.“

“Speech pathologists are firmly committed to providing safe, high-quality care when and where participants need it.“

“But rising cost pressures threaten market viability. Without fair price limits, some providers may be unable to continue delivering NDIS services - risking participant access to vital speech pathology support.”

“We urge the NDIA to set the pricing recommendations aside, and engage meaningfully with the speech pathology workforce on these critical issues.“

“We call on the government to transfer pricing decisions to an independent body and provide oversight to ensure that formal consultation and comprehensive evidence-based analysis is performed.”

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About Speech Pathology Australia

Speech Pathology Australia is Australia’s peak body for speech pathologists, representing 16,000 members. Our purpose is to empower speech pathologists and strengthen access to speech pathology for people with communication and swallowing needs. Speech pathologists are university-trained allied health professionals, who help people with communication and swallowing needs. They support people across the lifespan, who have trouble speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, or using their voice. They also help people who find it hard to eat, drink, or swallow safely. Speech pathologists work in hospitals, early childhood education and care settings, schools, aged care and disability settings, and the community.