Does the NDIS cover telehealth psychology?
It may, when the psychology support relates to a participant’s disability, builds or maintains functional capacity, connects with their NDIS goals and is consistent with the funding available in their plan.
Telehealth is simply a way of delivering psychology support. An online appointment does not automatically become eligible for NDIS funding just because it is delivered by video.
Similar funding principles apply whether the psychologist sees the participant online or in person.
The key question is the purpose of the psychology support.
NDIS telehealth psychology may be relevant when sessions focus on practical disability-related outcomes, such as communication, emotional regulation, decision-making, relationships, daily routines or community participation.
Quick answer: The NDIS may cover telehealth psychology when the support is disability-related, helps build or maintain functional capacity, aligns with NDIS goals and can be purchased from available plan funding.
Telehealth is the delivery method, not a separate funding category. Psychology primarily used to diagnose, treat or monitor a mental health condition generally belongs to the mainstream health system.
Does the NDIS Cover Telehealth Psychology?
The clearest answer is: sometimes.
NDIS telehealth psychology must meet the same underlying requirements as psychology delivered face-to-face.
Online delivery does not automatically make psychology either eligible or ineligible for NDIS funding.
The proposed support should generally have a clear connection with the participant’s disability and everyday functioning.
It should also work towards identifiable NDIS goals and use an appropriate, evidence-based approach.
A participant should consider whether:
- The psychology support responds to a disability-related functional need;
- It is intended to build or maintain capacity;
- It connects with one or more NDIS goals;
- Appropriate funding is available in the participant’s plan; and
- The provider and support are suitable for the participant’s plan management arrangements.
Having an NDIS plan does not mean every psychology appointment can be paid from it.
People also commonly ask, does NDIS cover online psychology? The same principle applies.
Telehealth is the appointment format; eligibility depends primarily on the purpose of the support and whether it fits the participant’s plan.
Moreover, if you are exploring your broader options, our guide to psychology services in Australia explains common psychology supports, access pathways and different ways to receive care.
When May NDIS Telehealth Psychology Be Funded?
NDIS telehealth psychology may be appropriate when psychology is being used to address disability-related functional needs rather than general mental health treatment.
For example, a psychologist may work with a participant to develop emotional regulation strategies that help them participate in daily routines, appointments or community activities.
Psychology may also support communication, social interaction, problem-solving, decision-making, independence or adjustment to disability-related changes.
The important connection is between the participant’s disability, the functional impact they experience and the intended outcome of the sessions.
A diagnosis by itself does not automatically establish access to NDIS psychology funding.
For example, a participant might have an NDIS goal to increase independence in the community.
Psychology could potentially support this goal by helping the participant develop strategies for decision-making, communication, emotional regulation or managing changes in routine.
The psychologist should also be able to explain what outcomes the sessions are designed to achieve and how progress will be reviewed.
The source strategy identifies functional outcomes such as communication, relationships, emotional regulation, problem-solving, decision-making, daily routines and community participation as relevant examples of capacity-building psychology support.
This is why NDIS online psychology should not simply be described as general counselling delivered online.
Its purpose should be clearly connected to disability-related functioning and participant goals.
Moreover, for a broader overview of remote support, explore our guide to telehealth psychologists in Australia to understand online therapy, suitability and access.
What Psychology Will the NDIS Generally Not Fund?
One of the most important distinctions is between disability-related capacity building and clinical mental health treatment.
The NDIS generally does not fund psychology when the primary purpose is to diagnose, treat or monitor a mental health condition as a clinical health service.
Examples may include diagnosis of a mental health condition, general counselling unrelated to disability-related functional needs, crisis mental health care, or psychological treatment whose main purpose is clinical treatment rather than disability capacity building.
The same psychological technique can sometimes be used for different purposes. What matters is why the service is being delivered.
For example, developing emotional regulation strategies to help a participant complete daily activities or participate in the community may potentially align with a disability-related capacity-building purpose.
By contrast, psychological treatment focused primarily on treating a mental health condition would generally belong to the health system rather than NDIS psychology funding.
Moreover, when psychology is primarily for clinical mental health treatment, another funding pathway may be more appropriate. Our guide to Medicare rebates for psychology in Australia explains eligibility, rebates and potential out-of-pocket costs.
This distinction is central to the funding guidance used for the article: telehealth alone does not create eligibility, and psychology primarily used for assessment, diagnosis, treatment or monitoring of a mental health condition is generally treated differently from functional capacity support.
Which NDIS Budget May Pay for Online Psychology?
NDIS psychology funding commonly relates to Capacity Building supports.
Participants may see terms such as Improved Daily Living, therapy supports or capacity-building therapy supports in their plan.
However, having a Capacity Building budget does not automatically mean psychology can be paid from it.
The participant should check the wording of their individual plan, the specific support category, the available balance and any conditions attached to the funding.
This is particularly important because Capacity Building categories may be stated supports, which means funding cannot simply be moved freely between categories.
For this reason, Improved Daily Living psychology should not be described as automatically available to every participant who has Improved Daily Living funding.
The original strategy specifically recommends checking the support description rather than relying only on the total Capacity Building budget and warns against stating that psychology is always funded under Improved Daily Living.
If the funding position is unclear, a participant can speak with their plan manager, support coordinator, provider or my NDIS contact before starting regular sessions.
NDIS Telehealth Psychology Cost in 2026
The 2026–27 NDIS Pricing Schedule referenced in the provided strategy lists Therapy – Psychologist – Telehealth at the following hourly amounts:
|
Location classification |
Listed hourly amount |
|
National |
$252.99 |
|
Remote |
$354.19 |
|
Very remote |
$379.49 |
These listed amounts do not prove that a participant can automatically use their NDIS plan to pay for psychology.
The appropriate support item, participant funding and provider arrangements still need to be confirmed.
The provider’s actual fee may also depend on the service agreement and applicable claiming arrangements.
Before beginning NDIS telehealth psychology, ask about the session duration, hourly rate, cancellation terms, report fees and whether non-face-to-face work or case discussions may be charged separately.
Pricing information checked: August 2026. NDIS pricing documents may change, so current rates and support items should be confirmed before services are claimed.
How to Check Whether Your NDIS Plan Can Pay for Online Psychology
Before starting ongoing psychology sessions, check the purpose of the support as well as the funding available.
A practical check is to ask:
- Does the psychology support address a disability-related functional need?
- Which NDIS goal will the sessions work towards?
- Is psychology consistent with the relevant support category?
- Is enough funding available for the proposed sessions?
- Is the funding self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed?
- Does the provider meet the requirements for that management arrangement?
- What telehealth support item and rate will be used?
- Are reports, preparation, case discussions or cancellations charged separately?
The full strategy recommends confirming these details before booking rather than relying on a provider simply saying that psychology is “NDIS funded”.
A provider should be able to explain how the psychology support relates to the participant’s goals and functional needs, how progress will be measured and how the service will be invoiced.
This is particularly important for NDIS online psychology, because online delivery itself does not confirm that the service can be purchased from the participant’s plan.
If online appointments are new to you, our guide to how telehealth psychology works for NDIS participants explains preparation, privacy and what to expect during an online session.
Telehealth Psychology with Affective Care
Affective Care provides telehealth psychology across Australia where online delivery is suitable for the participant.
Support can be shaped around the participant’s disability-related functional priorities, goals, strengths and communication preferences.
With the participant’s consent, psychologists may also work with family members, carers and other support professionals where appropriate.
Affective Care can provide information about service fees, appointments and the details participants may need to check before using NDIS psychology funding.
Moreover, Funding may follow similar principles, but the experience of receiving support can differ. You can compare telehealth vs face-to-face psychology to consider accessibility, privacy, communication and personal preferences.
NDIS online psychology remains subject to the participant’s individual plan, available budget and management arrangements.
Funding should not be described as guaranteed, fully covered or “NDIS approved”.
Final Answer
Does the NDIS cover telehealth psychology? It may when the support is clearly related to the participant’s disability, builds or maintains functional capacity, supports their NDIS goals and is consistent with their plan and available funding.
Telehealth does not create a separate form of NDIS eligibility. It is simply a way of delivering psychology.
Before beginning NDIS telehealth psychology, confirm the plan category, available budget, management type, provider requirements, fees and intended functional outcomes.
Unsure whether telehealth psychology may fit your plan? Speak with Affective Care about your support needs, service options and the information to check before booking.
