What Does an Allied Health Assistant Do? (NDIS Explained)

What Does an Allied Health Assistant Do? (NDIS Explained)

If you’ve been involved with the NDIS for a while, you might have noticed a shift recently.

Many NDIS plans now include stated supports, meaning the funding must be used exactly as described in the plan. In some cases, this has reduced flexibility around allied health supports like OT, physio, or exercise physiology. At the same time, we’ve seen Allied Health Providers scale back services, close their doors, or extend waitlists significantly due to funding changes.

That’s where Allied Health Assistants come in.

This post explains what an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) actually does, how therapy assistants work under the NDIS, and how this support can look very different depending on the setting. Further down, I’ll also explain how I use the Allied Health Assistant role a little differently—especially in group and community environments.

What Is an Allied Health Assistant?

An Allied Health Assistant—sometimes called a therapy assistant—works alongside qualified allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, podiatrists, and social workers, supporting participants under delegated therapy goals.

Under the NDIS, this role is usually classified as Therapy Assistant Level 2. This means the assistant can work independently once tasks and goals have been delegated by the Allied Health Professional.

An Allied Health Assistant does not:

• diagnose

• create therapy plans from scratch

• replace an allied health professional

Instead, the assistant helps put the plan into action.

For many participants, that means getting more time actually doing the therapy-related activities, without needing the therapist present every session.

What Does an Allied Health Assistant Do Under the NDIS?

In simple terms, an Allied Health Assistant helps participants practise and apply the strategies set by their therapist.

For example:

A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist might design a movement or strengthening program. The Allied Health Assistant can then support the participant to complete those exercises regularly, safely, and consistently.

An occupational therapist might set goals around independence, routines, social skills, or emotional regulation. The Allied Health Assistant can help practise those skills in everyday environments.

A speech pathologist might identify communication goals. The Allied Health Assistant can support the participant to practise those goals in real conversations, not just clinical ones.

This model allows funding to stretch further, while still keeping the allied health professional involved where their expertise matters most.

A psychologist might outline strategies for emotional regulation, coping skills, or behaviour support. The Allied Health Assistant can help reinforce these strategies during activities, social interactions, and daily routines.

What Is a Therapy Assistant, and Is It the Same Thing?

Yes—under the NDIS, the terms Allied Health Assistant and therapy assistant are often used interchangeably.

If you’re searching things like:

• what does a therapy assistant do

• what is an allied health assistant NDIS

• therapy assistant Gold Coast

You’re usually looking at the same type of support.

The key point is that therapy assistants work under delegation and within a defined scope, following guidance from the Allied Health Professional.

How Allied Health Assistants Support Different Therapies

This is where the role becomes more interesting, because it’s not limited to one discipline.

Supporting Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology

This is the most commonly understood area.

An Allied Health Assistant can support:

• strength and conditioning programs

• mobility and balance exercises

• injury prevention or rehabilitation activities

• general physical activity goals

  
  

Sessions can be one-on-one or, where appropriate, delivered in small groups.

Supporting Speech Pathology

Speech therapy doesn’t only happen at a table with flashcards.

An Allied Health Assistant can support speech goals by:

• practising conversation skills with peers

• encouraging turn-taking and listening

• supporting use of specific words or phrases in real situations

• helping participants navigate social communication

  
  

This is often far more effective when done in natural environments rather than clinical rooms.

Supporting Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy covers a broad range of life skills.

An Allied Health Assistant might support OT goals such as:

• social interaction and peer engagement

• emotional regulation during group activities

• following routines and instructions

• coping with frustration or disagreement

• Understanding personal boundaries

• interacting with authority figures in appropriate ways

These are skills that are difficult to fully practise in isolation—and this is where community-based support becomes powerful.

Supporting Psychology

Psychologists may identify strategies to support emotional regulation, coping skills, behaviour support, or managing anxiety and stress.

An Allied Health Assistant can help reinforce these strategies during everyday activities, social interactions, and routines. This allows participants to practise using coping tools in real situations, rather than only talking about them in appointments.

Supporting Dietetics

Dietitians may provide goals related to nutrition, eating routines, or food exposure.

An Allied Health Assistant can support the practical side of these goals by helping participants build routines around meals, practise food preparation skills, or try new foods in a supported and low-pressure way.

Supporting Podiatry and Other Allied Health Supports

Where relevant, a podiatrist may recommend exercises, routines, or strategies related to foot care, movement, or footwear. An Allied Health Assistant can help participants follow through with these recommendations as part of their regular routine.

Similarly, social workers may identify goals related to community participation, relationships, or navigating systems. An Allied Health Assistant can support skill development and confidence-building in real-world settings, helping participants practise what they’re working toward.

How I Work as an Allied Health Assistant on the Gold Coast

This is where my approach differs from what many people expect.

Yes, I can provide traditional one-on-one Allied Health Assistant support under delegation from an OT, physio, exercise physiologist, or speech pathologist.

But I also work extensively in group and community settings.

Fitness is my delivery method—but it’s not the end goal.

Movement creates natural opportunities for:

• conversation

• teamwork

• problem-solving

• emotional regulation

• social learning

In a group environment, participants are practising therapy goals without it feeling like therapy.

They’re learning how to interact with peers, handle conflict, manage disappointment, advocate for themselves, read social cues, and build confidence — all while moving their bodies and being part of something.

Being active, outdoors where possible, and connected with others also supports the body’s natural chemistry. Movement and play can increase endorphins and dopamine, social connection supports oxytocin, and positive experiences help regulate stress responses.

These physiological factors make learning and emotional regulation easier, not harder.

This approach allows multiple allied health goals — physical, social, emotional, and communicative — to be supported at the same time, in an environment that feels enjoyable, motivating, and real.

Who Is Allied Health Assistant Support For?

Allied Health Assistant support can suit participants with stated supports, participants whose plans no longer allow frequent therapist sessions, and families looking for more consistency between appointments. It’s also a strong option for allied health professionals wanting reliable implementation support, and for support coordinators seeking cost-effective ways to help plans stretch further.

Importantly, this type of support suits participants who benefit from learning alongside others. Being part of a group introduces something therapy alone often can’t — shared experiences, friendships, laughter, and the motivation that comes from feeling included.

For many participants, having fun, moving together, and building real connections isn’t a “nice extra” — it’s a meaningful goal in itself. When therapy goals are practised in environments that feel enjoyable and social, participants are often more engaged, more confident, and more willing to show up.

This makes Allied Health Assistant support especially valuable when goals need to be practised in real-life settings rather than clinical ones, and when building confidence, participation, and connection is just as important as ticking off tasks.

Allied Health Assistant Gold Coast – Working Together

I regularly work alongside:

• occupational therapists

• physiotherapists

• exercise physiologists

• Psychs

• speech pathologists

• support coordinators

  
  

My role is not to replace anyone—but to help plans actually work in the real world.

If you’re a parent, participant, support coordinator, or allied health professional on the Gold Coast and want to understand whether Allied Health Assistant support could fit into your plan or service model, this is a conversation worth having.

If this sounds like a good fit, you can register your interest using this form.