An NDIS physiotherapy progress report for a plan reassessment explains the therapy provided, the participant’s functional progress, barriers encountered and recommendations linked to their goals. It can give the participant and the NDIA clearer evidence about what has changed and what supports may be relevant next. A report is supporting information, however; it does not guarantee that a recommended support will be funded.
This guide is for NDIS participants, families, carers and support coordinators preparing for a plan reassessment. It explains what a physiotherapy report may contain, when to discuss it with the provider and what information can help make the report useful.
Why might a physiotherapy report be needed for a plan reassessment?
The NDIA advises that information and evidence for a plan reassessment may include assessments or reports from treating healthcare professionals, therapists or support workers. These documents can show how current supports are helping a participant work towards their goals and may include recommendations about future supports.
A physiotherapy report can be particularly relevant when mobility, transfers, balance, endurance, falls risk, pain affecting function or participation are important parts of the participant’s support needs. It can connect clinical observations and assessment findings with everyday activities, rather than describing exercises in isolation.
The current NDIS guidance on preparing for a plan reassessment recommends discussing the evidence needed with the participant’s my NDIS contact. The type and timing of evidence will depend on the person’s circumstances, so it is worth confirming requirements before commissioning a report.
What an NDIS physiotherapy progress report for a plan reassessment may include
The exact content should reflect the participant, the physiotherapist’s scope and the purpose of the report. According to the NDIA’s guidance for allied health plan reassessment reports, useful information may include:
- the physiotherapy service provided, including its duration, frequency and intended outcomes;
- the participant’s relevant goals and how therapy has been directed towards them;
- a summary of functional capacity at the beginning of the reporting period;
- assessment methods or outcome measures used, where clinically appropriate;
- progress towards functional and participation goals;
- therapies or strategies trialled and the participant’s response;
- barriers, challenges or risks identified and how they were addressed; and
- clear, evidence-based recommendations within the physiotherapist’s professional scope.
Not every report will use the same assessment tools or include every item. Measures should be suitable for the participant and interpreted alongside their lived experience, preferences, environment and day-to-day function.
How functional progress can be described clearly
A useful report goes beyond saying that someone has “improved” or “needs more therapy”. It may describe the starting point, what was tried, what changed and why the change matters in daily life. For example, improved lower-limb strength may be linked to standing from a chair with less assistance, while improved endurance may support participation in a community activity.
Progress is not always a straight line. Disability, illness, fatigue, pain, changing environments or interruptions to support can affect outcomes. A report can still be useful when a goal has not been reached if it explains the barriers, any changes made to the therapy approach and what has been learned.
If there has been a decline or a significant change in support needs, the report should describe observations carefully and identify whether further medical or multidisciplinary assessment may be appropriate. A physiotherapy report should not make conclusions outside the clinician’s scope.
When should you request the report?
Start the conversation early enough for the physiotherapist to review records, complete any appropriate reassessment and discuss the report with the participant. The right lead time varies between providers and depends on the complexity of the report.
Before requesting it, confirm the plan reassessment timing and ask the my NDIS contact or support coordinator what evidence is likely to be relevant. Then tell the physiotherapist the purpose of the report, any due date and where it will be sent. CEO Therapy states that progress reports and recommendations can be prepared when requested or required, in line with the participant’s goals and agreed service arrangements. Support coordinators can review the NDIS physiotherapy referral pathway for service and consent information.
A preparation checklist for participants and support coordinators
Good preparation helps the report focus on the participant’s current priorities rather than becoming a generic summary. Consider gathering:
- the reassessment or evidence due date;
- the participant’s current NDIS goals and any priorities they want discussed;
- examples of functional changes at home or in the community;
- details of falls, near falls, transfer difficulties or changes in assistance, where relevant;
- information about equipment or strategies trialled;
- feedback from the participant about what has or has not been useful;
- relevant reports from other professionals, shared with consent; and
- the preferred recipient and method for sharing the completed report.
The participant should decide what information is shared and who receives it. Where a nominee or authorised representative is involved, the provider should still communicate in a way that supports the participant’s involvement and preferences.
Questions to ask before the report is finalised
- What period of physiotherapy does the report cover?
- Which goals and functional activities are being addressed?
- What assessments or observations support the conclusions?
- Are the recommendations clearly connected to expected functional outcomes?
- Does the report explain barriers or changes in circumstances?
- Will the participant receive a copy and have an opportunity to correct factual information?
- Is any additional evidence needed from another professional?
A report should be accurate, understandable and proportionate to its purpose. Participants can ask for clinical language to be explained. They can also clarify factual details, although professional findings and recommendations remain the clinician’s responsibility.
What a progress report cannot promise
A physiotherapist can provide evidence and recommendations within their scope, but cannot decide what the NDIA will fund. The NDIA considers the participant’s circumstances, plan, evidence and the rules that apply to NDIS supports. A report also cannot predict a particular clinical outcome.
It is best to treat the report as one part of the wider reassessment preparation. The participant’s own account of their priorities and experience, information from their support network and other relevant professional evidence may also contribute.
Discussing physiotherapy reporting with CEO Therapy
CEO Therapy provides mobile NDIS physiotherapy across Western and South West Sydney and can discuss reporting needs as part of agreed service arrangements. If you are a participant, family member or support coordinator, use the NDIS physiotherapy enquiry form to share the participant’s suburb, goals, plan-management type and any reporting deadline. CEO Therapy can then confirm service suitability, availability and what information is required.