Program

Navigating NDIS change: Practical strategies for allied health professionals

• Friday 20 November, 2026

• 10.30am to 3.00pm

• Sydney Showground, Hall 3 (Pod 3 South)

• Tickets: FREE to attend, register here

10.30am to 11.30am Navigating the new NDIS: What’s changing and how allied health needs to respond with Sarah Collison, Verve OT

This session will provide allied health professionals with a practical understanding of the latest NDIS reforms, what they mean for day-to-day practice and how to prepare for the changes ahead. We'll explore the key changes already introduced and what's coming next, particularly around planning, funding and assessments, and what these mean for clinicians and the families they support. With a focus on practical strategies, the session will also examine how clinical evidence, assessment and reporting requirements may evolve, how to effectively demonstrate functional needs and therapy outcomes, and how allied health professionals can adapt their documentation, recommendations and service delivery to meet changing expectations.

11.30am to 12.15pm Supporting families through NDIS change with Sylvana Mahmic & Kylie Aekins, Plumtree

This session will explore how allied health professionals can support children, young people and their families as they navigate ongoing changes to the NDIS. With uncertainty around funding, planning processes and access to supports, we'll look at the challenges families are facing and how clinicians can help them understand changes, manage expectations and make informed decisions. The session will focus on practical communication strategies, building family confidence, managing difficult conversations and supporting families through periods of uncertainty, while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships.

12.15pm to 1.30pm‍ ‍Lunch break + explore expo

1.30pm to 2.15pm When NDIS plans don’t meet needs: helping families navigate decisions and next steps, presenter TBC

This session will explore how allied health professionals can support families when NDIS funding decisions don't adequately reflect their needs or the supports required. We'll look at the options available when plans fall short, including understanding funding decisions, identifying gaps in support and navigating plan reassessments and review processes. With a focus on practical strategies, the session will explore how clinicians can help families gather relevant evidence, strengthen supporting documentation, understand their rights and options, and navigate next steps with greater confidence, while maintaining their role as trusted professionals throughout the process.

2.15pm to 3.00pm Rethinking therapy: delivering great outcomes in a changing NDIS with OT Australia

This session will explore how allied health professionals can adapt their therapy approaches and service delivery in response to a changing NDIS environment. With increasing pressure on funding and a greater focus on measurable outcomes, we'll look at how clinicians can prioritise goals, maximise the impact of available supports and deliver effective, family-centred therapy. The session will focus on practical strategies for adapting therapy models, building family capacity, demonstrating meaningful progress and maintaining quality outcomes while navigating changing funding arrangements and expectations.