National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants

Can I see an osteopath using my plan funding?

If you are a plan-managed or self-managed NDIS participant, you may see an osteopath to help with physical skill development or disability-related health support goals.

Your support goals are in your NDIS plan. Your NDIS plan says what the scheme is funding you to achieve. Osteopaths can help with some support goals, mainly to do with how your body moves for daily activities.

If you are plan-managed, talk to your plan manager first about your support goals and ask about the types of clinical professionals that can be involved.

Safeguards for NDIS participants

• Osteopaths are bound by a Code of Conduct (Section 3.5) that says they must involve you in your care. They must give you clear information and ask your permission to give you support. This is known as ‘informed consent’.
•  The Code of Conduct (Section 3.8) also recognises that there may be clients with additional needs and identifies key elements of good practice in managing the care of these clients.
• You can contact Osteopathy Australia for information on good practice in osteopathy and standards for Osteopathy Australia members, or to provide feedback and suggestions.
• Client-centred care is a core element of osteopathic practice, and your osteopath will talk to you about your needs and preferences and work with you to plan and implement strategies to help you achieve your goals.
• Osteopaths are also required to ensure their knowledge and skills are kept up to date, and Osteopathy Australia members are provided with access to a range of continuing professional development and other learning opportunities to support them in knowing how best to work with you as a participant.
• If you have not been able to resolve an issue or have serious concerns, you can make a complaint to:
  • The government body that registers osteopaths (AHPRA)
  • The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission