FAQs – NDIS, Disability Therapy & Allied Health

1. What geographic areas does Active Ability provide services in?

As a mobile therapy provider, Active Ability provides exercise physiology, dietetic and physiotherapy services across all of Sydney. Specifically, we see our clients in the Eastern Suburbs, Sutherland Shire, Campbelltown, Western Sydney, Inner West, Sydney City, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Hornsby Shire, Hills Shire, Blacktown and Penrith.

We also provide exercise physiology services in Wollongong and the Sunshine Coast.

2. What are the NDIS funding categories that I need in order to access exercise physiology, dietetic or physiotherapy services?

  • Exercise physiology: improved daily living and/or improved health and wellbeing
  • Dietetics: improved daily living and/or improved health and wellbeing
  • Physiotherapy: improve daily living

Further to this, it may be possible that you are able to access dietetic and physiotherapy assessment from Core funding if you do not have any of the above categories available. Please discuss this with us upon enquiry.

3. What are the benefits of exercise physiology, dietetics and physiotherapy?

You can read more about the benefits of Active Ability’s services through the following links:

4. For what disabilities does Active Ability provide services?

Active Ability provides services to people with intellectual disability, mental illness and neurological conditions.

5. What funding schemes can be utilised to receive therapy services through Active Ability?

Active Ability can provide services through all funding schemes. This includes the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA), WorkCover, iCare and Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans.

6. What is the difference between an Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist? How do I know which is right for me?

Both exercise physiologists and physiotherapists are physical therapists who complete a minimum of 4 years university study to become allied health professionals. Therefore, you will find that there are areas of professional overlap in their scope of practice. One is not more qualified than the other, however there are some factors that you might like to take into consideration in order to determine which therapist may be better suited to working with you.

  1. Your goals – the goals that you have set yourself to achieve using your NDIS funding may determine which therapist is more appropriate to work with you. For example, if your goals pertain to contracture management, then physiotherapy is likely to be more appropriate for you. Is your goal better suited to one or the other? Contact us if you’d like some help with this decision
  2. NDIS funding categories – if you are wanting to utilise a physical therapist and have funding in ‘improved daily living’ you can choose to access a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist in order to achieve your physical therapy goals. However, if your funding is available through ‘improved health and wellbeing’, this category will only allow for access to an exercise physiologist.
  3. Disability expertise – each physical therapist will have their own area of expertise and expanded scope of practice based on their professional experiences and training. Therefore, we would recommend finding a physical therapist, whether an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist, that can demonstrate competencies in and understanding of your disability.

7. Do Active Ability’s dietitians take referrals for PEG feeding?

Active Ability’s dietitians are disability specialists and as such, are able to provide annual review for enteral nutrition recommendations.

8. What will happen if I choose Active Ability as my NDIS service provider?

If you choose Active Ability as your service provider, our admin team will work with you or your support coordinator to arrange a service agreement. Once we have your written consent to proceed with the service agreement, your allocated clinician(s) will be in touch with you via your preferred method of contact within 48 hours to arrange an initial assessment so that they can learn more about you.

As a result of your initial assessment, you will be provided with a treatment plan that will detail how we recommend your funding be utilised in order to best meet your NDIS goals. This treatment plan will provide a breakdown of exactly how your NDIS funding will be utilised including time allocated to assessment, intervention, resource development and NDIA reporting. Your services will then be provided as per your treatment plan.

Please keep in mind that if your circumstances or wishes change, your clinician will be able to adapt your treatment plan accordingly. As you near the end of your intervention, your clinician will provide reassessment and report on your progress, as a result of your therapy, toward your NDIS goals for submission to the NDIA.

9. Why do I have to sign a service agreement?

The NDIA recommends having a written service agreement so that participants and providers are explicitly clear about what each party has agreed to. As Active Ability is a registered NDIS provider, we have adopted this NDIA recommendation. Our service agreements help to provide the participant with transparency so that all parties involved have equal expectations of the services to be delivered. You can read more about the NDIA’s information regarding service agreements here.

10. How will my NDIS funding be used?

At Active Ability, after completing an initial assessment and understanding your personal preferences, each participant will be provided with a treatment plan that will detail how we recommend your funding be utilised in order to best meet your NDIS goals. This treatment plan will provide a breakdown of exactly how your NDIS funding will be utilised including time allocated to assessment, intervention, resource development and NDIA reporting.

11. What might a typical session for me look like?

When working with Active Ability, you will receive your services in the environment of your choice. This could be your home, local park or other facility, day program, workplace or school. Active Ability do not charge participants for travel and provide 1-hour appointments. A typical session will include the provision of therapy as well as education for you and your support people in order to build your independence and capacity.

12. What does an exercise program look like?

Your exercise program will be designed individually based on both your disability needs and NDIS goals. Depending on your goals, your exercise intervention may include a focus on building your strength, aerobic capacity, balance, flexibility and or coordination.