The recording of "Climbing the Mountain: Maintaining OT Presence in an Evolving NDIS" is now ready. Delivered as a presentation at the recent OTA conference by Sarah Collison and Jenny Gribbin, we are sharing the recording so that every OT navigating the NDIS can listen, reflect, and reconnect with the power of our collective journey. This talk is a love letter to our profession. It’s the story of how OTs have climbed, scrambled, adapted, and persisted through every twist and turn of the NDIS si...
Jul 09, 2025•15 min
In this raw and real episode of OT Unplugged, we’re back from the OT Australia Conference in Adelaide — inspired, exhausted, and now smacked in the face by July 1 changes to the NDIS Price Guide. Sarah, Nikki, and Alyce get candid about the emotional rollercoaster of returning to real life after a week of professional connection, community hugs, and the sudden reality of delivering OT services in an increasingly complex NDIS landscape. We talk tears, travel rates, KPIs, client communication, and...
Jul 03, 2025•31 min
In this week’s episode of OT Unplugged, Nikki and Alyce hold the fort while sending love and support to Sarah, who's attending a family funeral. Amidst personal challenges, EOFY chaos, and the looming OT Conference, Nikki and Alyce dive deep into the storm that is sweeping through the NDIS OT community. From burnout and business survival to media advocacy and political silence, they discuss the emotional toll this season is taking and share practical insights into what OTs and business owners ar...
Jun 26, 2025•47 min
The Most Disastrous Price Guide Ever? Let’s Talk About It. This week on OT Unplugged, we're diving headfirst into what might be the most chaotic and damaging NDIS Price Guide we’ve ever seen. Raw, unfiltered, and recorded just hours after its release, this episode captures the real-time emotional and professional impact on OTs across Australia. From gut-wrenching client stories to logistical nightmares and moral dilemmas, we unpack what the 2025 price guide really means for service provision, se...
Jun 19, 2025•44 min
NDIS Pricing Bombshell: What It Means for OTs, Physios & Practice Owners Hold onto your spreadsheets — this week, the NDIS Annual Pricing Review has dropped, and the ripples are real. In this two-part episode, Sarah, Nikki, and Alyce break down what the new pricing changes mean for OTs, physios, and allied health practice owners. From the calm-before-the-storm long weekend catch-up to Nikki rage-reading all 134 pages of the review (with help from her 9-year-old), this episode is part therapy...
Jun 12, 2025•49 min
Episode Summary: In this jam-packed episode of OT Unplugged , Sarah, Nikki, and Alyce dive deep into the chaos and clarity of OT life as the new financial year looms. From backseat laptop sessions and overflowing diaries to the real cost of missed billable time, we get honest about what it really takes to survive – and thrive – in today's OT landscape. We break down: What the Section 33 changes really mean for your service agreements How to future-proof your paperwork against price guide updates...
Jun 05, 2025•46 min
In this weeks episode we discuss the latest on Section 33 changes and the updates to Foundational Supports. To access the free webinar head to https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/ndis-insights-unpacking-changes-to-ndis-section-33
May 29, 2025•45 min
In this episode of OT Unplugged , we dive headfirst into the sweeping changes triggered by Section 33 of the NDIS Act, which came into effect on May 19. These changes have introduced locked funding periods within participant plans, meaning OTs and providers can no longer rely on full plan budgets being accessible up front. Instead, budgets are now broken into quarterly allocations, and unspent funds can only roll forward—not backward. The result? Increased admin, reduced therapy flexibility, and...
May 22, 2025•45 min
If you're interested in attending the OTA conference, click on the link below to take advantage of the Friends of the Podcast rate: https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2025/friendsofthepodcast-otunplugged
May 15, 2025•45 min
Show Links The Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association - https://sites.google.com/view/theanpa/home?authuser National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention information session - https://events.humanitix.com/national-best-practice-framework-for-early-childhood-intervention-information-session?hxchl=mkt-hme Don't forget to book your tickets!! PERTH Networking Drinks 14 May 2025 - https://www.trybooking.com/DAEDQ MELBOURNE Networking Drinks 20 May 2025 - https://www.trybook...
May 08, 2025•37 min
Podcast Link - https://commongrounddisability.substack.com/p/surviving-stated-supports-and-section Don't forget to book your tickets!! PERTH Networking Drinks 14 May 2025 - https://www.trybooking.com/DAEDQ MELBOURNE Networking Drinks 20 May 2025 - https://www.trybooking.com/DBAWQ ADELAIDE Networking Drinks 24 June 2025 - https://www.trybooking.com/DAIQD...
May 01, 2025•48 min
Apr 10, 2025•49 min
We hope to see you at one of the Networking Events Click on the link below to book! PERTH 14 May 2025 - https://www.trybooking.com/DAEDQ ADELAIDE 24 June 2025 https://www.trybooking.com/DAIQD
Apr 03, 2025•45 min
Daily Mail article https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-14525417/Wife-reveals-harrowing-reality-living-former-rugby-league-player-battling-CTE-dementia.html Youtube Video Story on Trevor Crow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjV3WAWKFKg&t=5s...
Mar 27, 2025•41 min
This week we discuss the ART of War: Fighting for What’s Reasonable & Necessary Links for Show notes – Facebook Page – ADHD OTs providing OT to ADHDers!! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18gRiwVxqb/ Daily Telegraph Article from Sarah’s Linked In - https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/australian-law-firms-made-37m-representing-failing-ndis/news-story/d473f11a05c64d292d9b4e55ff44dcb0 Daily Mail Article for Sarah’s inclinator client - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14471317...
Mar 19, 2025•40 min
This week we discuss Scallop Pies, ATSA Highlights & A Toast to Strong Women following International Women's Day. Please see links below as discussed during this episode: National Assistance Card - https://www.nationalassistancecard.com.au KISA phone - https://kisa.com.au Tochie Smart Speaker - https://homelifetech.com.au/products/tochie-smart-speaker Studio 10 Segment - https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/mothers-can-get-what-they-want-when-they-return-to-work/news-story...
Mar 12, 2025•42 min
Mar 06, 2025•44 min
In this week's episode we discuss Providing Therapy in Schools, Cancellation Charges and Split Billing Tasmania Networking Drinks Event - https://www.trybooking.com/CYZCP Kelly Mahler’s Interception Curriculum - https://www.kelly-mahler.com/product/the-interoception-curriculum-a-step-bystep-guide-to-developing-mindful-self-regulation/...
Feb 27, 2025•36 min
In this weeks episode we discuss OT advocacy, support needs assessments and NDIS report writing challenges. To connect with OTSI, please visit their website: https://otsi.net.au/
Feb 20, 2025•44 min
In this episode we discuss the increasing concerns around mental health, burnout and support strategies for OTs plus delve further into the support needs assessment tenders. Link for Hobart networking drinks - https://portal.trybooking.com/au/event/1352743
Feb 13, 2025•38 min
This week we discuss the NDIS challenges and the realities of private practice Reasonable and necessary supports across the lifespan: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5898f042a5790ab2e0e2056c/t/5b1a02b62b6a286703f766f6/1598505493903/Reasonable+and+necessary+support+for+families+%28October+2014%29+Advice.pdf Reasonable and necessary support for families: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5898f042a5790ab2e0e2056c/t/5b1a003a562fa72ab72fbc07/1598505538299/Reasonable+and+necessary+support+...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min
Jan 30, 2025•42 min
In this weeks episode we discuss the January referral surge, commencement of NDIS impairment notices and community advocacy for NDIS reform. Please refer to link below for information on NDIS impairment notices: https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/applying-ndis
Jan 22, 2025•45 min
In this week's episode we discuss the independent review of music and art therapy, the latest on support needs assessment plus we reflect on the year that has been.
Dec 19, 2024•47 min
In this weeks episode we discuss NDIS impairment notices, disability related health supports & making changes to reports. Link below to the participant access information request form: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/access-information/participant-information-access-request
Dec 12, 2024•50 min
In this week's episode we discuss the balance of personal and professional life, impact of NDIS policy on OT practice and opportunities for OT advocacy.
Dec 05, 2024•45 min
In this week's episode we discuss AI in practice, Music & Art therapy, Replacement supports and OTSI Music therapy petition: https://www.change.org/p/keep-music-therapy-as-an-ndis-funded-therapeutic-support Link to OTSI: http://www.otsi.net.au/ Link to AI Privacy & Security for Occupational Therapists workshop: https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/ai-privacy-security-for-occupational-therapists...
Nov 28, 2024•44 min
This week we discuss plans for the Christmas shutdown period and how OTs can use AI to support their OT practice: Link to ACCC media release - https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/ndis-providers-put-on-notice-about-consequences-of-misleading-advertising Link to AI training workshops - https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/store/#business If you would like to share anything with us, ask a question or suggest a discussion piece please complete this form! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHZ...
Nov 20, 2024•42 min
In this week's episode, we discuss eligibility reassessments and responding to requests for evidence. Link to the Reasonable and Necessary Supports Across the Lifespan Paper: https://individualisedliving.com.au/resource/reasonable-and-necessary-support-across-the-lifespan-an-ordinary-life-for-people-with-disability/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGhBjlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbN8C5VfZcUj35tz-QvOxpBNXPg3E_U9TVzAaNG0Fxqh5OE96I62ZOOa5g_aem_dKHgVk6go_SCbk3Sx8Qufg...
Nov 14, 2024•40 min
In this week's episode, we have a lengthy debate on all things NDIS OT Unplugged Listener Form If you would like to share anything with us, ask a question or suggest a discussion piece please complete this form! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHZswuTRmhDjRV6fBHKTZ9LuPKNLnEV_EaMI0MS9I-b_kujw/viewform NDIS OT COP Supervisor Register Form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf99Pi8xuUAwrbdtba4wZ_SWKdE2CkTJMof4WA8hNuN1h-0vw/viewform...
Nov 07, 2024•45 min
