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• Guide to NDIS Registration Group 0128: Therapeutic Supports

Therapeutic supports are evidence-based supports delivered by qualified allied health professionals. Their primary goal is to help you build or maintain your skills and independence so you can confidently manage everyday activities at school, work, in your home, and out in the community.

Understanding the Therapeutic Supports Registration Group (0128)

In the NDIS pricing structure, services are categorised into registration groups. The therapeutic supports registration group is officially designated by the code 0128. When you see providers or line items referring to 0128, it means they fall under this broad and highly regulated category of allied health services.

Capacity Building vs. Maintenance

Therapeutic supports typically fall into two categories:

• Capacity Building: Short-term or targeted therapy to help you learn new skills (e.g., learning to catch a bus or use new communication tools).
  
• Maintenance: Ongoing therapy designed to slow the loss of existing skills and prevent your functional capacity from declining.

List of 0128 Therapeutic Support Categories

Under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission’s requirements for the therapeutic supports registration group, a wide variety of allied health professionals can deliver services. Below is the complete list of therapeutic support line item categories (types of therapy) funded by the NDIS:

• Speech Pathology / Therapy. Builds skills for communication (spoken, non-spoken, and sign) and assists with eating, drinking, or swallowing difficulties.
• Social Work. A holistic approach to maintaining social functioning, navigating life transitions, and improving overall quality of life.
• Rehabilitation and Vocational Counselling. Specialist support for pursuing education, employment, and community living goals.
• Audiology. Expert care for hearing loss and balance issues, including communication training and the use of assistive technology.
• Counselling. Provides a safe space to explore emotions, develop resilience, and learn positive communication and coping strategies.
• Developmental Education. Focuses on building skills, independence, and navigating life stage transitions, particularly for children and adolescents.
• Dietary Support. Dietitians provide evidence-based nutrition services, creating personalised mealtime plans to manage disability-related dietary needs.
• Exercise Physiology. Clinical exercises tailored to help you maintain muscle strength, physical activity, and independence related to your disability.
• Music Therapy. Uses the therapeutic impact of music to build skills in memory, movement, sequencing, communication, and self-expression.
• Occupational Therapy. Builds skills and confidence for everyday activities, exploring practical solutions and equipment for home, community, and work.
• Orthoptist. Specialised support for vision loss or eye movement disorders, helping you optimise functional vision with assistive technology.
• Physiotherapy. Assesses and treats muscular, joint, and neurological conditions to build or maintain mobility, movement, and independence.
• Podiatry. Diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet and lower limbs, improving mobility and reducing pain through strategies like orthotics.
• Psychology. Builds your capacity to engage in everyday activities and manage behaviours/emotions (Note: mental health treatments fall under the standard health system).
• Art Therapy. Supports you to explore and regulate feelings, improve self-awareness, and develop communication skills through the creative process.
  

What Isn't Funded Under 0128?

As your Plan Manager, I always remind participants that the NDIS will not fund therapies lacking strong evidence of functional outcomes. This means things like crystal therapy, general massage for relaxation, gym memberships, standard personal training, or "therapy in a box" subscriptions cannot be claimed under the 0128 therapeutic supports budget.

List of 0128 Therapeutic Support Line Items