NDIS Reform Update

Today’s NDIS reform announcement outlines significant changes to how the Scheme will operate in the future. The proposed reforms include a shift toward functional capacity assessments, tighter definitions of what is considered “reasonable and necessary,” reduced flexibility in plans, and a likely reduction in participant numbers and budgets over time. These changes will be rolled out gradually and are not yet law.

We know this announcement may bring uncertainty, concern, and even anxiety for many of you, particularly those working closely with participants, as well as for individuals and families who rely on the NDIS for essential supports. Some of the public conversation leading up to today has also been difficult and, at times, stigmatising. We are acutely aware that behind any discussion of budget cuts or reducing participant numbers are real people. Individuals, families, and communities who rely on these supports. And psychologists who have spent their careers supporting them with best practice care.

While there are elements aimed at improving consistency and clarity, we are concerned about the risk of overly rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches that do not reflect the complexity of psychological care or the lived realities of the people you support.

We are actively engaged in these discussions and will continue to advocate to ensure reforms reflect the realities of practice and do not limit access to the supports people genuinely need. We also want to acknowledge that some of these proposed changes may directly affect your clients, their families, and many of our members. We will continue to monitor developments closely, advocate strongly on your behalf, and provide clear, practical guidance as more details emerge.

Read our full breakdown of what’s been announced here.

In case you missed it - last week the Psychology Board released a major consultation, proposing a complete redesign of psychology education and training.

The scale of change is significant, and the Psychology Board has rightly framed this as a once-in-a-generation reform of the profession.

The headline proposal is a move to a single, streamlined pathway: a 5-year degree leading directly to general registration. This would include more practical skills training far earlier.

This would mean:

• No more +1 internship
• No more provisional registration (for domestic graduates)
• No more National Psychology Exam for domestic pathways
• Introduction of student registration instead
• Practical placements embedded into University courses

Moving to a single pathway and a single qualification opens the door to something the profession has long needed: more consistent and equitable training costs.

A single model creates the opportunity to align training under the same higher funding band, reducing financial barriers, inequities between pathways, and reliance on limited postgraduate places.

This has the potential to be a significant step forward for access and workforce supply, but there are missing details on what this will look like in reality, and AAPi will be analysing this proposal carefully.

The proposal separates the education and training pathways for general registration from endorsement and introduces a new model where endorsement becomes a standalone 2-year part-time Masters, completed while working in a relevant role. The registrar program would be removed and replaced with work-integrated training.

The consultation also proposes a potential psychology assistant pathway, with an exit point after three years of study.

We encourage members to carefully review the consultation information. Consultation is open until 10 June 2026. The Psychology Board will then review feedback and refine the model.

We have prepared a comprehensive update detailing the proposed changes - read it here.

Necessity of NDIS

AAPi Executive Director Tegan Carrison’s letter to the editor was published in The Australian, responding to suggestions that people with psychosocial disability should be removed from the NDIS. Tegan describes these proposals as misguided and dangerous, warning they reinforce stigma by questioning who is “disabled enough” to access support. She highlights that psychosocial disability is often severe and enduring, and that the NDIS provides essential supports that help prevent hospitalisation, homelessness and crisis. With approval rates already around 25 per cent, access is at historic lows, raising concerns about whether the scheme is meeting its intent. Tegan emphasised that restricting access without a fully funded alternative shifts costs elsewhere, "these are life-saving services that keep people safe, connected and able to participate in their community."

AAPi has continued to reinforce these concerns across multiple platforms. In coverage by Croakey, President Sahra O’Doherty warned against harmful public narratives that risk undermining people with psychosocial disabilities and reversing progress on stigma, particularly in light of reports the Government may target the NDIS’s $6 billion spend on mental health supports, potentially impacting around 65,000 participants. AAPi reiterated that any reforms must recognise psychosocial disability as legitimate, maintain access to psychology through the NDIS, avoid destabilising participants, ensure continuity of supports, and involve meaningful consultation with the sector.

Sahra was also featured on 2SM radio this week, advocating strongly against the proposed changes and highlighting the real-world impact they could have on individuals and communities.

Australians report declining life satisfaction post-pandemic

AAPi President Sahra O'Doherty spoke to ABC Radio about new findings from an Australian National University poll of nearly 4,000 adults, which revealed Australians are now less satisfied with their lives than they were during COVID-19 lockdowns. Reflecting on the results, Sahra noted that this trend aligns with what psychologists are seeing across the country, with many people experiencing ongoing dissatisfaction. She highlighted the importance of recalibrating expectations in response to current social and economic realities, encouraging a focus on what is realistic and achievable today rather than holding onto outdated expectations formed earlier in life.

AAPi has been contacted by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) regarding a significant and growing issue within the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme: delayed invoicing for health services.

Recent data indicate that $174.6 million in payments have been delayed, with $8.8 specifically attributed to psychologists, largely due to invoices not being submitted within required timeframes. 

Under the current Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services, invoices must be submitted within 30 days of service delivery. 

While this is not a new requirement, SIRA has flagged increasing non-compliance and is now seeking support from professional bodies to reinforce awareness and adherence.

Why timely invoicing is critical

SIRA has noted that delayed invoicing has broader implications across the scheme:

• Worker outcomes – Delays can disrupt treatment continuity and recovery
• Claims process trust – Administrative inefficiencies erode confidence in the system
• Scheme sustainability – Cash flow disruptions impact overall system viability
• Regulatory risk – Non-compliance may result in regulatory action 

What AAPi members need to do

We are encouraging all members working within the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme to:

• Ensure invoices are submitted within 30 days of service delivery
• Review internal administrative processes to avoid delays
• Stay up to date with SIRA requirements and guidance

AAPi recognises the importance of maintaining compliance within funding schemes. At the same time, we are acutely aware of the administrative burden placed on psychologists, particularly across multiple funding streams including NDIS, Better Access, and Workers Compensation.

Need support?

If you have questions about invoicing requirements, SIRA has advised that providers can contact them directly: via email providers@sira.nsw.gov.au or phone on 13 74 72.

The sexual misconduct reforms to the National Law are now in effect, strengthening transparency and public protection.

Under the changes, findings of professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct will be permanently recorded on the public Register of practitioners and displayed more clearly. This applies retrospectively to all relevant tribunal findings since the start of regulation for each profession.

Information will only be published where a tribunal has made a finding of professional misconduct and sexual misconduct formed part of that finding. National Boards will rely on tribunal decisions and apply a fair, structured process, with affected practitioners notified and given an opportunity to respond.

You can access the practitioner guide, which provides a high-level overview of the changes.

More information about the reforms, including a guide for consumers is available on the National Law Amendments web page.

A range of free, evidence-based alcohol and other drug resources are available through the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Information Service, accessible to health professionals nationwide.

ADIS also provides a confidential, 24/7 counselling and support service for people in Queensland affected by alcohol and other drug concerns, as well as their families and carers.

Access these resources here.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is coming up on April 28 2026.

This year’s theme is about creating healthy psychosocial work environments, offering a timely reminder that psychosocial safety is often overlooked in work health and safety compared to physical risks, but it is just as critical.

Factors such as low job control, poor support, remote or isolated work, and exposure to traumatic events or material all shape mental health at work. When psychosocial hazards are not addressed, ongoing stress can build and contribute to burnout, anxiety, and even physical health impacts.

We welcome this year’s focus as an important reminder that psychosocial risks are present in most workplaces. It is up to all of us, particularly employers, to identify and manage these risks to create safer, healthier work environments.

Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA) have refreshed their Allied Health Digital Hub, making it easier for allied health professionals to find and use trusted digital health information. Developed in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency and member associations, the Hub brings together practical, easy-to-navigate resources to support understanding, access and adoption of digital health tools across practice.

Also coming up, AHPA and the Australian Digital Health Agency will host the final session in the Digital Health Education Series: My Health Record in Practice: What allied health professionals need to know now. This webinar will cover how to access and use My Health Record, the benefits for clinicians, practices and consumers, and provide real-world insights from practitioners already using it to support better care coordination.

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026

Time: 5–6pm (AEST)

Location: Online via Microsoft Teams

The recording for the recent Allied Health Professions Australia webinar 'What is an HPI-I and why do allied health professionals need one?' is now available to watch on demand.

By the end of the webinar, participants will:

• Understand what an HPI-I is and how it functions
• Know why an HPI-I is required for secure information sharing
• Identify the correct pathway to obtain an HPI-I
• Understand how their organisation obtains and uses an HPI-O
• Know where to access detailed guidance and support
• Understand how HPI identifiers enable participation in national digital health products

Watch the recording here.

NSW: Workers Compensation reforms – public consultation now open

Public consultation is now open on proposed updates to NSW workers compensation laws, including new regulations and guidelines that support recent legislative reforms. You can review the draft documents on the NSW Government Have Your Say website and provide feedback by 15 May 2026.

AAPi will be preparing a submission, and we encourage members to also make their own individual submissions so practitioner perspectives are clearly represented. There are also information sessions available from the week beginning 20 April, with additional consultation sessions throughout the process.

Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to commence hearings

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion will hold its first hearing block in Sydney between Monday 4 May 2026 and Friday 15 May 2026. You can read more about the Royal Commission, make a submission or learn more about the support available, here.

New report highlights impact of racism on diverse communities

A new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Seen & Heard project has found that Australia’s Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Arab and Israeli communities have all suffered, and continue to suffer, increased pain and distress caused by racism over the past three years.

The report, The Struggle to Be Seen, the Power in Being Heard, funded by the Australian government, aims to capture the voices and experiences of people in affected communities.