From 1 July 2026, the way occupational therapy is billed on the NDIS changed. The hourly price for OT did not move (it stayed at $193.99 per hour), but your invoice will probably look different, with more lines on it than before.
This guide shows you, line by line, what a 2026-27 OT invoice can look like, what each charge means, and what to check before you pay. It is written for participants, families and support coordinators, in plain English.
The one big change: bundled to itemised
In the past, an OT session and the work around it were often shown as one or two lines on an invoice. From 2026-27, each type of activity is claimed as its own separate line item, using a new code system.
“Occupational therapy – assessment and report – 4.5 hours”
One bundled line.
- Direct service (your session)
- Non-face-to-face (report writing)
- Provider travel
- Telehealth
- NDIA-requested reports
- Short-notice cancellation
Not every invoice will have all six. You only see the lines that actually apply to your supports.
A sample 2026-27 OT invoice
Here is an illustrative example for a home-visit assessment. The hours are made up to show how the lines work; they are not a standard charge.
Tax Invoice (sample)
| Line item | Type | Time | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OT assessment (home visit)01_661_0128_1_3 | Direct service | 2.0 hr | $193.99 | 2.0 hr x $193.99 |
| Travel to and from the visit01_661_0128_1_3_PT | Provider travel · 50% | 0.5 hr | $97.00 | 0.5 hr x $97.00 |
| Writing the assessment report01_661_0128_1_3_NF | Non-face-to-face | 2.0 hr | $193.99 | 2.0 hr x $193.99 |
| Telehealth follow-up01_661_0128_1_3_TH | Telehealth | 0.5 hr | $193.99 | 0.5 hr x $193.99 |
5.0 hr
Two lines that do not appear above, because they only apply in certain situations:
- NDIA-requested report (
01_661_0128_1_3_RR) – charged at the full rate ($193.99/hr) only if the NDIA specifically asks for a report. - Short-notice cancellation (
01_661_0128_1_3_CA) – charged at up to the full rate, only if a session is cancelled with less than 2 clear business days’ notice and the conditions in your service agreement are met.
Why the item number changes by service
Each line on your invoice has an NDIS support item number. In 2026-27 these are built from a base code plus a suffix that says what kind of activity it is. For the main “Therapy – Occupational Therapist” supports, the family looks like this:
| Activity | Item number | National rate |
|---|---|---|
| Direct service | 01_661_0128_1_3 | $193.99/hr |
| Cancellation | 01_661_0128_1_3_CA | up to $193.99/hr |
| Non-face-to-face | 01_661_0128_1_3_NF | $193.99/hr |
| Provider travel | 01_661_0128_1_3_PT | $97.00/hr |
| NDIA-requested reports | 01_661_0128_1_3_RR | $193.99/hr |
| Telehealth | 01_661_0128_1_3_TH | $193.99/hr |
Two things change the number you actually see:
- The activity changes the suffix (the part after the last underscore), as shown above.
- Who the support is for, and where, changes the base code. Occupational therapy for young children (early childhood) uses a different stem (for example a
15_617_0118or01_650early-childhood item), and remote and very remote areas attract higher price limits (around $271.59 and $290.99 per hour for direct service). There is also a parallel OT therapy series under the15_617_0128_1_3stem.
Because of this, the exact code on your invoice should always be checked against the official NDIS Support Catalogue. The structure above is reliable; the precise stem depends on your situation.
What each line on your invoice means
The face-to-face time with your OT, in clinic or at home.
01_661_0128_1_3
Essential work outside your session, such as writing your report or planning your program. Charged at the full rate.
01_661_0128_1_3_NF
The OT’s travel time to and from you, charged at half the hourly rate, within distance and time caps.
01_661_0128_1_3_PT
A session delivered remotely where appropriate. New as its own line for 2026-27, charged at the full rate.
01_661_0128_1_3_TH
A report the NDIA specifically asks for, charged at the full rate.
01_661_0128_1_3_RR
If you cancel with less than 2 clear business days’ notice, your provider may be able to claim it, if your service agreement allows.
01_661_0128_1_3_CA
What this means for you as a participant
- Your invoice may look longer, but it is more transparent. You can now see exactly what each part of your support cost.
- It is not a hidden price rise. The hourly rate did not change. Splitting the charges out does not, by itself, cost you more.
- Travel is cheaper than session time. Provider travel is billed at half rate.
- You can ask questions. If a line does not look right, or you are not sure why it is there, it is completely reasonable to ask your provider to explain it.
An important caveat: the rules are still being finalised
This is worth being clear about. The NDIA released the 2026-27 price tables but split out the detailed claiming rules into a separate document that, as of late June 2026, had not yet been published. Software and providers are using the new prices alongside the carried-over 2025-26 rules in the meantime.
In practice this means the structure above is reliable, but some fine detail (exact caps, conditions and codes) may be confirmed or adjusted once the full rules are released. We will update this article when they are.
Quick checklist before you pay
- Check each line matches a support you actually received.
- Confirm travel is billed at the 50% rate, not the full rate.
- Make sure non-face-to-face time looks reasonable for the work done.
- Ask about any cancellation charge, and check it against your service agreement.
- If anything is unclear, ask your provider, support coordinator or plan manager.
For the bigger picture of everything that changed this year, see our guide to the 2026-27 NDIS pricing changes. To understand how the hours add up, see how much an NDIS OT assessment costs.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my NDIS OT invoice have more lines in 2026-27?
From 1 July 2026, each type of OT activity (session, report writing, travel, telehealth) is claimed as its own line item rather than being bundled together. It is a change in how charges are itemised, not a price rise.
Is travel charged at the full OT rate?
No. Provider travel is charged at 50% of the hourly rate, which is $97.00 per hour based on the $193.99 direct-service rate, within the usual distance and time caps.
Can my OT charge me for writing a report?
Yes. Non-face-to-face work such as report writing is a legitimate, claimable support and is charged at the full hourly rate. It should be shown as its own line.
Can I be charged if I cancel a session?
Possibly. For therapy, a short-notice cancellation is generally less than 2 clear business days’ notice. A provider can only claim it if your service agreement allows it and the NDIA’s conditions are met.
What is the NDIS item number for occupational therapy?
The main 2026-27 item for therapy OT is 01_661_0128_1_3 (direct service), with suffixes for the other activities: _CA (cancellation), _NF (non-face-to-face), _PT (provider travel), _RR (NDIA reports) and _TH (telehealth). Early-childhood OT and remote areas use different codes or rates, so confirm the exact item against the official NDIS Support Catalogue.
Did the OT hourly price go up in 2026-27?
No. Occupational therapy stayed at $193.99 per hour. Only the billing structure changed.
Sources
- NDIS, Pricing arrangements and pricing updates (2026-27 Pricing Schedule and Annual Pricing Review), ndis.gov.au.
- NDIS, Travel claiming rules, gap fees and other costs, ndis.gov.au.
- Provider commentary on the 2026-27 allied health line-item system and rates (Conway Consulting; Cas Health; ISO Consulting; SupportAbility), accessed 1 July 2026.