Self-managed
You receive our invoices, pay them, and claim the amount back through the my NDIS portal. You have the most choice in who you see.
The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed participants for speech therapy and occupational therapy at our Northmead clinic. Here’s how the funding usually works, what it can cover, and what to bring to your first appointment.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy for children are usually funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. That funding is there to build your child’s skills over time through assessment, therapy sessions, reports and the planning behind them.
Your plan sets an amount of funding, not a number of sessions. How far it goes depends on the mix of assessment, therapy and reporting your child needs, something we map out with you after the initial assessment.
How your child’s plan is managed decides how invoices are paid. Your plan document shows how each support category is managed.
You receive our invoices, pay them, and claim the amount back through the my NDIS portal. You have the most choice in who you see.
A plan manager holds your funding and pays our invoices for you. Give us your plan manager’s details and we invoice them directly.
The NDIA pays providers on your behalf. Some families ask at their next plan review about moving to plan management, which is a common request and doesn’t reduce the funding in the plan.
Your plan document states how each support category is managed, and your support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator can confirm it. You’re also welcome to call us on (02) 9037 1163 and we’ll help you check.
Where it’s funded in your child’s plan and aligned to their goals, capacity building funding can be used for:
Once you know your child’s plan is self-managed or plan-managed, these make the first appointment run smoothly. You don’t need all of it finalised before you call.
Children under 9 may be able to get early intervention support through the NDIS early childhood approach without a formal diagnosis. In the meantime, a Medicare pathway or private health extras may help with the cost.
Answers to common questions about using NDIS funding for speech therapy and OT. Can’t see yours? Call us on (02) 9037 1163.
The Bridge Effect supports NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families. If your child’s plan is NDIA-managed, call us before booking and we’ll talk you through your options, including the Medicare pathways and private sessions.
It depends on how much sits in the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget and what else it’s being used for. After the initial assessment we recommend a session frequency and give you the cost per session, so you can map it against the budget and the plan dates.
Yes. Progress reports and plan review reports are part of the service and are funded from your child’s plan like any other therapy support. Let us know your review date early so there’s enough time to prepare it properly.
No. You can contact us directly. If you have reports from other professionals, bring them along, but they aren’t required to book.
Yes, but not for the same appointment. Medicare and NDIS can’t both be claimed for a single session. Some families use each for different services across the year. Our Medicare page sets out which pathways cover speech therapy and occupational therapy.
Many families use more than one pathway across the year, one funding source per session.
GP Chronic Condition Management Plans, the Item 135 pathway, Better Access and the First Nations pathway.
How extras cover works for speech pathology and OT, and what to ask your fund before you book.
Compare NDIS, Medicare and private health side by side, and find the pathway that fits your family.
Using your plan for speech therapy or occupational therapy? Both services are under one roof at our Northmead clinic. Read more on our NDIS & funding blog.
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. NDIS rules and plan management arrangements change from time to time. Confirm your own plan details with the NDIS, your plan manager or your support coordinator.
Send us your plan details and we’ll let you know availability, session costs and how the funding is likely to work for your child.
Share how the plan is managed, your plan dates and, if plan-managed, your plan manager’s details.
We explain session costs, reports and how the budget is likely to be used across the plan.
We get to know your child, assess their strengths and needs, and set goals that line up with their plan.