NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27: Rate Changes, STA Unbundling and What Every Provider Needs to Update
The PAPL is finished. From 1 July 2026, the document you bill against is the new NDIS Pricing Schedule. It’s not just a rename. The NDIA has split the old combined document into two separate parts, restructured how several support categories are priced and changed the claiming rules for travel, telehealth, report writing and non-face-to-face time.
If your team hasn’t reviewed the new NDIS pricing schedule 2026-27 yet, you have until tomorrow. Here’s what’s changed and what you need to update.
The PAPL Is Now Two Documents
The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) has been replaced by two separate documents. The Pricing Schedule contains the price tables only. A separate rules document covers the claiming logic, conditions and definitions.
This matters because the old PAPL combined rates and rules in one place. Now you need to check both documents when verifying a claim. If your billing team or software was set up to reference one document, that workflow needs to be updated.
The structural change also reflects a bigger shift. The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill proposes moving the power to set binding NDIS prices from the NDIA to the Minister. The new Pricing Schedule format is built for that future.
Support Worker Rates Are Up 3.95%
The standard Level 1 Support Worker rate for weekday daytime hours has increased by approximately 3.95%, to around $70.23 per hour. This reflects the Fair Work Commission’s 2026 wage decision and the increase in superannuation from 11.5% to 12%.
Other support worker tiers follow similar percentage increases. Weekend, evening and public holiday rates have been adjusted in line with the base rate change.
For providers, this means updating your service agreements, invoicing templates and any internal rate cards before 1 July. If you need help understanding who in your team should have access to what, getting your permissions right now saves headaches later. If you’re charging below the price limit, you still need to check that your margins hold under the new super rate.
STA Has Been Unbundled
Short Term Accommodation (STA) has one of the biggest structural changes. The old bundled ratio items (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4) have been removed entirely.
STA is now split into two parts. Support hours are billed under dedicated support worker line items in Schedule 1, using the standard hourly rates. The accommodation component, covering the bed, meals and utilities, is billed separately under Schedule 2 as a flat day rate of $162.85 per day nationally.
If your organisation delivers STA or respite services, this is a significant change to how you quote, invoice and claim. Every existing STA service agreement needs to be reviewed and updated with the new line items and the separated pricing structure.
Therapy Travel Drops to 50%
Allied health providers face a direct hit to travel revenue. Under the new schedule, therapists claim provider travel at 50% of their hourly rate instead of 100%.
For occupational therapy, the travel rate sits at around $97.00 per hour nationally, roughly half the standard OT hourly rate. The same 50% rule applies across other therapy disciplines.
Travel time limits remain: up to 30 minutes in metro areas (MMM1-3) and 60 minutes in regional areas.
For providers who deliver therapy in participants’ homes, schools or community settings, model the revenue impact now. Some therapists may need to reduce travel-based services or restructure their caseloads to remain viable.
Cancellation, Telehealth and Reports Are Now Separate Line Items
Under the old PAPL, cancellation fees, non-face-to-face (NF2F) time, provider travel, report writing and telehealth were claimed using modifiers applied to existing line items. That system is gone.
Each of these now appears as its own line item in the Pricing Schedule. The claiming logic for each is set out in the separate rules document.
This means your billing system needs to support the new line item codes. If your software still generates claims using the old modifier structure, those claims will be rejected from 1 July. The NDIA’s pricing updates page has the full list of new line items and their codes.
What Your Organisation Should Do Before 1 July
Update your rate cards and service agreements.
Every rate that has changed needs to be reflected in your service agreements. The NDIS Commission’s provider obligations require you to discuss proposed changes with participants and get their agreement before the new rates apply. Don’t assume participants will accept changes without a conversation.
Reconfigure STA pricing.
If you deliver STA, update your quoting and invoicing to reflect the split between support hours (Schedule 1) and accommodation day rate (Schedule 2). Remove any references to the old bundled ratio items.
Check your therapy travel model.
If you’re an allied health provider, calculate the revenue impact of the 50% travel rate. Review your rostering and workforce setup to see whether your current travel-heavy caseload structure still works financially.
Verify your billing software handles the new line items.
Cancellation, NF2F, telehealth, travel and report writing are now standalone items, not modifiers. Test that your system generates claims using the correct new codes. A platform like FlowLogic can automate price guide updates so your team isn’t manually reconfiguring rates every July.
Brief your billing and admin team.
Make sure everyone who touches claims understands the two-document structure (Pricing Schedule for rates, rules document for conditions) and the new STA and therapy changes.
For more on managing NDIS operations and compliance, the FlowLogic blog has practical guides updated regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDIS Pricing Schedule?
The Pricing Schedule replaces the old PAPL from 1 July 2026. It contains the price tables only. A separate rules document covers the claiming logic and conditions. Together they replace the single combined PAPL.
How much have support worker rates increased?
The standard Level 1 Support Worker weekday daytime rate has increased by approximately 3.95% to around $70.23 per hour, reflecting the 2026 wage decision and the super increase from 11.5% to 12%.
What changed with Short Term Accommodation pricing?
STA has been unbundled. The old ratio items (1:1 through 1:4) are gone. Support hours are now billed under standard support worker line items and accommodation is billed as a separate day rate of $162.85 per day.
How much can therapists charge for travel?
Provider travel is now claimed at 50% of the therapist’s hourly rate, down from 100%. Travel time limits remain at 30 minutes in metro areas and 60 minutes in regional areas.
Are cancellation fees still claimed as modifiers?
No. Cancellation, non-face-to-face time, telehealth, provider travel and report writing are now separate line items in the Pricing Schedule. The old modifier system no longer applies.
Do I need to update my service agreements?
Yes. Any rate change must be discussed with participants and agreed before it takes effect. All service agreements referencing old PAPL rates or bundled STA pricing need to be updated.
