In this episode of Allied Health Business Brilliance, Cathy Love speaks with Michelle Oliver from Occupational Therapy Australia about the current pace of reform across the disability sector and what it means for OTs, Allied Health Business Owners, participants, children and families.

Michelle shares OT Australia’s response to the new NDIS bill, the concerns surrounding functional capacity assessments, the impact of capacity building reductions, and the broader campaign behind “No OTs, No NDIS.”

The conversation also explores Thriving Kids, state and territory procurement challenges, the need to include the existing private Allied Health workforce, and why advocacy needs to stay both loud and practical.

Topics covered on NDIS reform, Thriving Kids, and advocacy boldly for OTs across the nation:

NDIS reform and functional capacity assessments
Michelle explains OT Australia’s concerns around the new NDIS bill, proposed eligibility changes, functional capacity assessments and the need for qualified OTs to be involved in shaping assessment models.
Thriving Kids, procurement and private practice risk
The episode explores how Thriving Kids is shifting from national policy into state and territory implementation, with major concerns around procurement, workforce inclusion and the risk of excluding existing private providers.
Advocacy, small business impact and the OT voice
Michelle outlines the work OT Australia is doing through submissions, ministerial meetings, member activation, webinars, upcoming Private Practice Day and the “No OTs, No NDIS” campaign.

Resources Mentioned

No OTs, No NDIS campaign

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More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:

The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.

We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.