In our latest podcast episode, Alice Lans, CEO of Noah's Inclusion Services and qualified Speech Pathologist, reveals a crisis that's quietly unfolding across Australia's disability sector. The stark reality is:

·      Therapy pricing has been frozen since 2019, and some rates actually reduced this year. 

·      There has been a 50% cut to travel allowances for therapists

·      Allied health providers facing an "ethical and financial dilemma" - operate at a loss or withdraw services from vulnerable participants...

As Alice explains: "Being able to be where the participant works, plays, spends time and learns is very important. The continued pricing reductions are making this increasingly difficult for allied health services."

Who's hit hardest? Rural families, those without transport, and isolated communities - the very people who need these services most.

 Then there’s the bigger picture that Alice highlights: therapy services aren't just costs, they're investments. Allied health services keep people with disabilities living their best lives, healthy and out of acute care settings. Cut early intervention, and we will see more people unnecessarily ending up in hospital and crisis care.

 Alice leads a dedicated team that understands the power of "the right support at the right place and the right time" - combining professional expertise with family knowledge through collaborative coaching models.

This conversation breaks down complex policy into real-world impacts that affect children, families, and our entire healthcare system.