NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits published

The NDIA has published the 2025-2026 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL), effective 1 July 2025. Recommendations from the Annual Pricing Review (APR) were included in the PAPL, despite calls from Speech Pathology Australia and other peak bodies to reject them.

Aspects of the 2025–26 PAPL that are relevant to speech pathologists include:

Price freeze on speech pathology supports

As indicated in the APR, Price Limits for speech pathology therapy and early childhood supports remain unchanged. The Price Limits for therapy assistants (Levels 1 and 2) supports also remain unchanged.

Learn more about Price Limits on pages 90–95.

Provider travel Price Limit reduced by 50%

The Price Limit for travel time is reduced to 50% of the Price Limit for the support (therapy or early childhood) that the provider is traveling to deliver.

This does not impact the amount that can be claimed for non-labour costs.

Learn more about provider travel on pages 22–23.

Units of support and claiming

The 2025–26 PAPL quotes Price Limits in 1-hour, 'full units' of support. Where speech pathologists provide less than an hour of support, they should only claim the time spent.

Claims can now be made in either:

  • A quantity of units: 30 minutes = 0.50 units
  • Hours: 30 minutes = 0:30

The NDIA provide this example:

Support duration

Unit quantity (hour)

Hour format

Total claim amount if unit price is set to $193.99

10 minutes

0.17

0:10

$32.33

20 minutes

0.33

0:20

$64.66

30 minutes

0.50

0:30

$97.00

40 minutes

0.67

0:40

$129.33

50 minutes

0.83

0:50

$161.66

60 minutes

1.00

1:00

$193.99

SPA is advocating for these pricing decisions to be scrapped

We're calling on the NDIA to scrap these recommendations and engage in genuine consultation with the speech pathology profession.

We're also urging government to transfer pricing decisions to an independent body with proper oversight and evidence-based review.

Last week, we publicly called on the NDIA to take urgent action. We and other allied health peak bodies met with the Commonwealth Chief Allied Health Officer and NDIS staff to voice our deep concerns for the sustainability of NDIS services. We have also spoken to Senator Jordon Steele-John's team and are seeking meetings with NDIS Ministers Butler and McAllister.

We'll keep fighting for fair pricing – and for every person's right to access the care they need, when and where they need it.

New member advocacy tools are coming soon – to learn about what you can do to advocate for change, stay tuned to our social media and eNews.