The Real Impact of NDIS Changes on Allied Health Services Across Australia
When the government introduced sweeping NDIS changes just weeks before implementation, allied health providers across the country were left racing to adapt. For Judy Scott, founder of My Therapy Crew, the impact was immediate, and personal.
She shares her story on It Takes Heart, opening up about how rapid policy changes are affecting not just service delivery, but the future of person-centred care.
“Two and a half weeks before July 1st, it landed. The new pricing structure had red lines through it – it was literally a draft. As business owners, we had to pivot immediately.”
As an occupational therapist and business owner leading five clinics and over 80 staff, Judy knew these changes weren’t just about budgets, they were about people. The sudden shift in travel reimbursement rates posed a serious challenge, particularly for mobile services supporting clients with high and complex needs.
“They’ve halved what we can charge for travel, which makes it completely unsustainable.”
Her team has always prioritised meeting clients where they are, whether that’s at home, in schools, or in the community. But with reduced funding, the viability of these essential services is now under pressure. Judy notes that despite providers’ commitment to care, running a sustainable business isn’t possible on goodwill alone.
The consequences are already visible. Providers are closing, teams are shrinking, and some allied health professionals are leaving the sector altogether. Referrals to My Therapy Crew have jumped 25% in recent months, not because of marketing efforts, but because other services simply can’t continue travelling to clients.
Judy’s concern extends beyond her own business. She’s thinking about workforce retention, long-term sustainability, and the need for reform that genuinely centres people with disability.
“I think they assumed we’d just keep going because we care. And we do. But we can’t run on love alone.”
The episode also touches on Judy’s personal ‘why.’ She shares how growing up as a young carer for her mum shaped her path into healthcare, and why human-first leadership remains at the heart of everything she does. From those early days starting a clinic out of her garage to leading a thriving, values-led organisation, Judy’s always done things differently.
She’s proud of the work her team does, but she’s also worried. The pressure of unpredictable NDIS changes is making it harder for providers to plan, invest in staff, and innovate. Still, Judy remains committed to pushing forward.
“We don’t want to just survive these NDIS changes. We want to keep building something good. Something people can believe in.”
In a sector built on trust and connection, Judy’s story is a powerful reminder: policy changes may come from the top, but their impact is felt most deeply at the frontline – by clients, by families, and by the people who show up to care every day.
Watch Season 2, Episode 27 of It Takes Heart with My Therapy Crew’s Judy Scott
More about Judy’s organisation of choice, The Christmas Party Darwin
The Christmas Parties are Australia’s largest events for children with disabilities and complex needs, with the Darwin Party giving up to 1,200 children from Darwin and surrounds the chance to experience the magic of Christmas in a safe, inclusive setting. Free and invitation-only, the event lets kids aged birth to twelve set aside therapies and treatments for a few hours to simply have fun, surrounded by a community wider than their family and carers.
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