Fees and Funding for Occupational Therapy

Working out what an occupational therapy assessment will cost, and who pays for it, can feel confusing before you have even booked. This page sets out how fees and funding work at Drive & Thrive OT, so you can understand your options and plan your next step with clarity and confidence.

How Our Fees Work

Fees at Drive & Thrive OT depend on the type of assessment you need, how long it takes, and whether travel or vehicle-related components are involved. Because every situation is different, we do not publish a single fixed price for every service.

Instead, our team provides a clear written quote before you book, so you know exactly what to expect and can check it against your funding. Costs can differ between private, NDIS, insurer and aged care clients, and we will explain which fees apply to you.

Ways to Fund Your Assessment

There is usually more than one way to pay for an occupational therapy assessment. The main funding pathways our clients use are:

Private (self-funded): You pay for the assessment directly, without going through a scheme or insurer.
NDIS: If you have National Disability Insurance Scheme funding, occupational therapy assessments may be claimed from your plan, depending on your goals and budget. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants.
Insurer-funded: Some assessments are arranged and paid for through a compulsory third party (CTP), workers compensation or other insurer.
Aged care: Older clients may be able to fund an assessment through an aged care package, subject to their package inclusions.

If you are not sure which pathway applies to you, our request an assessment process is a good place to start, and our team can help point you in the right direction.

Understanding Your NDIS Management Type

For NDIS participants, how you pay a provider depends on how your plan is managed. There are three management types, and knowing yours makes booking much simpler. Drive & Thrive OT works with self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Plan-Managed

A plan manager handles the invoices and payments on your behalf. You choose the provider, we send the invoice to your plan manager, and they pay us from your NDIS funding. Plan-managed participants can generally use both registered and non-registered providers.

Self-Managed

You manage your own NDIS budget and payments. We invoice you directly, you pay the invoice, and you claim the amount back through the myplace participant portal. Self-managed participants have flexibility in the providers they choose.

NDIA-Managed (Agency-Managed)

The NDIA manages payments to providers on your behalf, and NDIA-managed participants generally need to use an NDIS-registered provider. Drive & Thrive OT works with self-managed and plan-managed participants, so we are not able to take NDIA-managed referrals. If your plan is NDIA-managed, get in touch and we can help point you in the right direction.

This flexibility matters for families exploring driver-readiness support, including neurodivergent drivers and learner drivers, where an assessment is often one step within a broader set of NDIS goals. Whichever management type you have, we can talk through how an assessment fits your plan.

Private, Insurer and Aged Care Options

You do not need to be an NDIS participant to work with us. Many clients pay privately, particularly for OT driving assessments where a licence, medical or return-to-driving question needs a timely answer.

Others are referred and funded through an insurer, such as a CTP or workers compensation claim, or through an aged care package. Cover varies between insurers and packages, so we recommend confirming what is included with your case manager, plan manager or provider before your appointment.

What Your Fee Covers

Your fee reflects the professional time involved in an assessment, not just the appointment itself. Depending on the service, this can include:

Preparation: Reviewing your referral, history and any relevant reports before we meet.
The assessment: Time spent with you, whether that is an off-road and on-road driving assessment or a functional capacity assessment.
Reporting: Writing up findings and recommendations for you and, where relevant, your referrer, insurer or plan.
Travel: As a mobile service across Greater Western Sydney, some assessments include travel to your home or community.

For OT driving assessments, additional costs such as vehicle hire or vehicle modification trials may apply. If they do, we will set these out in your quote so there are no surprises.

How to Pay and Book Your Assessment

Getting started is straightforward. Once you request an assessment, we confirm the service you need, explain the fees that apply to your funding, and provide a written quote before anything is booked.

You can learn more about our functional capacity assessments, or read about our process to see what happens at each step.

Refer a Client to Drive & Thrive OT

Ready to refer? Submit a referral through our secure online form and we will be in touch to confirm the assessment and arrange a suitable time. For questions before you refer, call 0424 851 858 or email info@drive-thriveot.com. We are based out of Seven Hills NSW 2147 and cover Greater Western Sydney.

Frequently asked Questions

How Much Does an OT Driving Assessment Cost?

The cost depends on the type of assessment, how long it takes, and whether vehicle hire or modification components are involved. Because these factors vary, we provide a clear written quote before you book rather than a single fixed price. This way you can check the fee against your private budget, NDIS plan, insurer or aged care package.

Can I Use My NDIS Funding for an Assessment?

In many cases, yes. Occupational therapy assessments may be funded through your NDIS plan where they align with your goals and available budget. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants, and how you pay depends on which of these applies to you. If you are unsure, our team can talk through how an assessment might fit your plan before you commit.

What Is the Difference Between Plan-Managed, Self-Managed and NDIA-Managed?

These terms describe who handles the payments in your NDIS plan. A plan manager pays providers on your behalf from your funding, self-managed means you pay providers and claim the funds back yourself, and NDIA-managed means the agency pays registered providers directly. Your management type affects which providers you can use and how invoices are handled.

Do I Have to Be on the NDIS to Book?

No. We work with private clients who pay directly, as well as people funded through an insurer or an aged care package. Whatever your situation, we will explain the fees that apply to you and provide a written quote before your assessment is booked.

Will My Insurer or Aged Care Package Cover the Assessment?

Sometimes. Assessments are often arranged through a CTP or workers compensation claim, or funded through an aged care package, but cover varies between insurers and packages. We recommend confirming what is included with your case manager, plan manager or provider, and we are happy to help you check before you attend.

Do I Need a Referral?

It depends on your funding pathway. Some insurers and schemes require a referral before an assessment can proceed, while private clients can usually get in touch directly. If a referral is needed, we can guide you or your referrer through our process so nothing is missed.

When Will I Know the Total Cost?

Before you book. Once we confirm the assessment you need and your funding pathway, we provide a written quote that sets out the fee and any additional components, such as vehicle hire for a driving assessment. You will have this information in writing before agreeing to go ahead.