Many people with NDIS plans are being told they can’t get funding for psychology. This is causing a lot of confusion and frustration. Planners are saying that psychology should be funded by the health system through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP).
At The Good Fight, we are seeing this happen to many people. If you have autism, you might be denied psychology funding because you don’t have a psychosocial disability. If you have a psychosocial disability, you might also be denied and told to use the health system instead. It seems like no one can get the support they need.
Even though planners say there is no written rule about this, it is happening all over Australia. That means there is something going on. To get psychology funding, you need to provide strong evidence that it will help you with things related to your disability.
What the NDIS Will and Won’t Fund
The NDIS does not pay for medical treatment for mental health conditions. That means they won’t pay for psychology if it is used for treating depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Those services are the responsibility of the health system.
But the NDIS can pay for psychology if it helps you become more independent and build important skills. This is called capacity building.
Examples from the NDIS Website:
- Not Funded: Emilia has a psychosocial disability and asks for funding for treatment with a psychologist. The NDIS says no because treatment is funded by the health system.
- Funded: Jim has schizophrenia and asks for psychology to help him get better at planning and being on time for work. The NDIS says yes because it helps him become more independent.
- Funded: Roxanne has a psychosocial disability and asks for support to learn skills like paying bills and cooking. The NDIS says yes because it helps her live more independently.
How to Ask for Psychology Funding
If you are asking for psychology funding, you need to show that it will help you with your disability, not just with mental health treatment.
Tips for a Strong Request
- Use the Right Words – Instead of saying you need psychology for 'mental health support,' say it will help with social skills, emotions, planning, or daily tasks.
- Connect It to Your Disability – Explain how psychology will help with the challenges caused by your disability.
- Focus on Independence – Show how psychology will help you do more things on your own.
- Get Reports from Professionals – Ask your psychologist or therapist to write a report explaining why this support is important for you.
- Avoid Words Like ‘Treatment’ – The NDIS may reject your request if it sounds like medical treatment. Instead, focus on how it helps you learn skills.
- Give Examples Where It Was Funded – Show that others have been funded for similar support.
- Ask for an Explanation if Denied – If your request is denied, ask why and refer to NDIS rules.
- Consider a Psychosocial Recovery Coach – If you have a psychosocial disability, a recovery coach can help you get the right supports.
10 Goals You Can Include in Your Request
When asking for psychology funding, you need to show how it will help you grow and learn. Here are ten examples of goals you can include in your request:
- Managing Emotions – Learning ways to stay calm and handle stress better.
- Planning and Organising – Learning how to make schedules and manage daily tasks.
- Improving Social Skills – Learning how to talk to people and make friends.
- Daily Living Skills – Learning how to take care of yourself, cook, and clean.
- Speaking Up for Yourself – Learning how to ask for help and explain your needs.
- Managing Stress and Anxiety – Finding ways to handle stress and feel more in control.
- Getting Ready for Work – Learning skills to help you get and keep a job.
- Making Good Choices – Learning how to make decisions and solve problems.
- Being More Social – Learning how to join activities in your community.
- Relying Less on Family and Carers – Becoming more independent and needing less help.
Keep Fighting for Your Rights
It is unfair that so many people are being denied psychology funding. There is no clear rule that says it should not be funded, yet it is happening to many people.
If you are denied funding, don’t give up. You have the right to challenge the decision. Ask for a written reason and use the NDIS rules to show why psychology is important for your independence.
At The Good Fight, we are here to help NDIS participants get the support they need. If you need help with your request, reach out to us. We believe that every participant deserves fair and reasonable funding.