More repetition
Regular practice helps new strategies become more familiar.
Clinician-directed NDIS therapy support
Helping therapy happen between appointments.
Allied Health Assistants help NDIS participants practise therapist-directed programs at home and in the community under physiotherapist or occupational therapist supervision.
Delegated by physiotherapists and OTsHome and community visitsGoal focusedNDIS
Why use an AHA
More opportunity to practise what matters.
Clinician appointments are essential for assessment, clinical decisions and program changes. Progress also depends on having enough opportunity to practise the right activities between those reviews.
An Allied Health Assistant can provide structured, cost-effective practice under a clinician's direction. That may mean more repetition in the places where the participant actually walks, transfers, prepares meals or accesses the community.
Real environments
Skills are practised at home and in the community.
Clinical connection
Observations are shared with the supervising clinician.
Goal alignment
Every activity stays linked to the therapy plan.
Consistent practice
Therapy doesn't stop after assessment.
A physiotherapist or occupational therapist first assesses the participant, identifies goals and decides which activities are appropriate to delegate.
The AHA then supports the participant to practise those activities safely and consistently. They record progress and barriers, while the clinician remains responsible for review and any program changes.
What participants practise
Everyday activities. Clear clinical direction.
What happens in a session depends on the participant's assessed needs, therapy goals and delegated program.
Exercise programs
Practising prescribed strength, balance, flexibility or conditioning activities with the documented level of assistance.
Walking and mobility
Repeating clinician-directed walking, transfer, stairs or mobility-aid practice in familiar environments.
Daily living skills
Working through agreed routines such as dressing, kitchen tasks, shower preparation or household activities.
Community participation
Building confidence with therapeutic activities linked to local access, routines and participation goals.
Home programs
Making therapist-directed activities easier to repeat consistently between clinician reviews.
Equipment practice
Practising the agreed use of prescribed mobility or adaptive equipment after clinician assessment.
Who we support
For participants who benefit from guided practice.
Older children
Age-appropriate practice connected to therapy goals, routines and participation.
Adults
Structured support to build confidence and independence in everyday life.
Neurological conditions
Delegated programs for people living with stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions.
Physical disability
Mobility, strength and functional practice within the clinician's plan.
Daily living skills
Participants working towards greater independence with practical home routines.
Community participation
Therapeutic practice that supports access, confidence and meaningful participation.
Clear clinical roles
AHAs don't replace clinicians.
They extend a clinician's work by helping the participant practise an agreed program. Assessment, diagnosis, prescription and clinical decisions stay with the qualified allied health professional.
Assesses movement and function
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Clinical decisions
- Exercise and mobility planning
- Program changes and review
Assesses daily function
- Functional assessment
- Equipment prescription
- Home modification recommendations
- Reports and program review
Supports delegated practice
- Practises the documented program
- Records relevant progress
- Feeds observations back
- Works under clinician supervision
How delegated therapy works
One connected journey.
Clear delegation and review keep every session safe, purposeful and clinically connected.
Assessment
A physiotherapist or OT assesses goals, function, risks and support needs.
Therapy plan
The clinician documents the program, boundaries and activities suitable for delegation.
AHA practice
The participant practises the agreed activities at home or in the community.
Clinical review
The clinician reviews progress and makes clinical changes when required.
For providers and coordinators
Why providers use AHAs.
A practical way to increase therapy carry-over while keeping clinical responsibilities clear.
More repetition
Participants have more opportunities to practise therapist-directed activities between clinical appointments.
Better carry-over
Strategies are applied in the home and community environments where they are needed.
More therapy time
Delegated sessions can extend the reach of the therapy plan where clinically appropriate.
Connected care
Session observations and barriers feed back to the supervising clinician for review.
Examples of delegated programs
Practical goals, practised in real life.
WalkingBalanceTransfersHome exerciseKitchen tasksDressingShower routinesCommunity accessEquipment practiceStairs
The supervising clinician decides what can be delegated, provides instructions and reviews the participant's response.
Clinician + AHA model
One plan. Clear roles. Ongoing review.
The AHA is part of the therapy pathway, not a separate or independent service.
Physiotherapist
or OT
or OT
Assessment
Therapy plan
AHA
Practice and progress
Clinician review
Funding pathways
Refine currently accepts NDIS referrals for plan-managed and self-managed participants, subject to available funding, clinical suitability and a service agreement.
NDISPlan managedSelf managed
We come to you.
Home and community visits are available across selected South East Queensland locations, subject to clinician availability and local capacity.
BrisbaneLoganIpswichGold CoastMoreton Bay
Frequently asked questions
Allied Health Assistant FAQs.
Clear answers for support coordinators, providers, participants and families.
What is an Allied Health Assistant?
An AHA supports a participant to practise activities that have been assessed, planned and delegated by a qualified physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Why would I refer to an AHA instead of booking more clinician appointments?
An AHA may be appropriate when the participant needs additional structured repetition of an established program. The clinician still completes assessment, clinical decision-making, program changes and review.
Does an AHA replace a physiotherapist or occupational therapist?
No. AHAs do not independently assess, diagnose, prescribe, change programs or make clinical decisions. They work within clear delegation from the treating clinician.
Who creates the therapy plan?
The participant's physiotherapist or occupational therapist creates the plan, decides which activities can be delegated and provides instructions, boundaries and review requirements.
What can an AHA help a participant practise?
Depending on the delegated plan, sessions may include exercise, walking, transfers, balance, daily living routines, community participation or use of prescribed equipment.
How is progress communicated?
The AHA records relevant observations and shares progress, barriers or changes with the supervising clinician. The clinician decides whether the program needs to be reviewed.
Who can make a referral?
Referrals may come from support coordinators, providers, clinicians, participants or family members. Our team will confirm whether an assessment or existing therapy plan is required.
Can sessions happen at home or in the community?
Yes. Sessions can be delivered in the participant's home or community where appropriate to the delegated activities, risks and goals.
How is the service funded?
Refine currently works with plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants. Funding availability and the most appropriate service pathway are confirmed before sessions begin.
Refer with confidence
Help therapy carry into everyday life.
Send us the participant's goals, current therapy information and location. Our team will confirm capacity, clinical suitability and the next step.