Mobile Therapy vs Clinic Care: NDIS Participant Benefits

For decades, the default approach to allied health has been clinic-based. Participants or families travel to see physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or dietitians in dedicated facilities. But in recent years, the NDIS has reshaped how Australians think about therapy.

Mobile allied health — delivered in the home or community — has become the gold standard for many participants. This article explores why mobile therapy matters, the real-world benefits compared to clinic care, and how case workers can decide when in-home services are best.

Barriers to Clinic-Based Therapy

While clinics provide structured environments, they come with challenges:

• Transport barriers: Participants with mobility issues or living in regional areas face high transport costs

• Fatigue and stress: Long travel times can make therapy counterproductive

• Accessibility gaps: A clinic setting doesn’t always reflect the real-life context where skills need to be applied

Why In-Home Therapy is More Effective

1. Therapy in Real Environments
   Skills taught in the participant’s own home are more likely to be retained. For example, an OT can recommend adaptive kitchen tools while observing how the participant actually cooks.

2. Family and Carer Involvement
   Parents, carers, or siblings can participate in therapy sessions, learning strategies to support the participant day-to-day.

3. Consistency & Engagement
   Reduced cancellations mean more consistent therapy. Participants often feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings.

4. Holistic View of Daily Life
   Therapists can identify issues not visible in a clinic — like unsafe stairs, poor nutrition options, or lack of adaptive equipment.

Service Examples by Discipline

• Physiotherapy: Falls prevention, strength training, and mobility assessments in the actual home environment

• Occupational Therapy: Real-world functional assessments, home modifications, and activities of daily living training

• Dietitian Services: Reviewing pantry and fridge contents, meal planning with the family, hands-on cooking support

• Podiatry: Foot care, gait assessments, and footwear recommendations without the travel burden

Paediatric vs Senior Outcomes

• Children: Therapy through play at home builds comfort and faster skill development. Sessions integrate naturally into family life.

• Seniors: In-home therapy supports independence, reduces falls risk, and allows older adults to age in place with dignity.

How the NDIS Supports In-Home Therapy

The NDIS funds mobile allied health under Capacity Building supports. Case workers should:

• Align therapy requests to participant goals

• Document why in-home delivery is more appropriate than clinic sessions

• Leverage multidisciplinary providers to streamline care

Mobile therapy is more than a convenience — it’s often the most effective way to help participants achieve meaningful outcomes. By meeting people where they live, therapists embed skills in daily routines, involve families, and reduce barriers.

Team Rehab Solutions specialises in mobile allied health, combining physiotherapy, OT, dietetics, and podiatry into one reliable, participant-centred service.

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