What NDIS occupational therapy roles actually involve
NDIS OT work is built around functional capacity assessment and the evidence the scheme needs to fund support. A typical week mixes participant assessments, assistive technology trials, home and vehicle modification reports, and reviews with support coordinators and plan managers. Clinicians also spend time writing reports that translate clinical observations into goals, recommendations, and costed supports.
Caseloads vary enormously between providers. Some roles focus on a single age group or support type, while others cover participants across the lifespan and several hours of travel each day. Before accepting a role, ask how participants are allocated, what complex cases the team supports, and whether the provider has admin staff for bookings, invoicing, and report coordination.
NDIS OT pay, contracting and conditions
Employee NDIS OT roles commonly advertise between $85,000 and $120,000 depending on experience, caseload complexity, and location. Contractor arrangements can pay $90 to $140 per hour, but that rate has to cover leave, insurance, software, travel, and non-billable admin. Compare the two models on total earnings rather than the hourly or annual figure alone.
Many providers offer salary packaging, a travel allowance, and paid professional development because NDIS assessment work changes quickly. Check whether AHPRA registration, professional indemnity insurance, and NDIS worker screening are reimbursed, and whether report writing counts towards billable targets. Those details often matter more than a small difference in base salary.
Positioning yourself for an NDIS role
Providers look for clinicians who can write clear, defensible reports and manage a participant journey from first contact to plan review. Experience with assistive technology, home modifications, paediatric assessment, or complex disability support is especially valuable. If you have not worked under the NDIS before, learn the plan categories and the difference between core, capacity-building, and capital funding before your interview.
Ask about supervision, peer review of reports, and the provider's approach to billable hours. A sustainable NDIS role gives you enough time to assess, write, and follow up without unpaid overtime. New roles are added to this page as they are approved, and you can set up an alert for NDIS vacancies in your state.