Cerebral Palsy and the NDIS

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders caused by damage to the developing brain, typically occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. CP affects muscle tone, movement, coordination, and posture. The severity varies enormously — from mild limitations affecting one limb to severe quadriplegia affecting all four limbs, trunk, and often speech and swallowing.

Under the NDIS Act 2013 (Section 24), cerebral palsy is a permanent disability that meets the disability criterion. Most people diagnosed with CP will be eligible for the NDIS, though the level of funding depends on the severity of functional impacts and the supports required.

The GMFCS classification system

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is the standard tool used to describe motor function in people with CP. Understanding GMFCS levels helps providers plan appropriate supports and documentation:

GMFCS Level Mobility Typical NDIS Support Needs
Level I Walks without limitations Therapy supports (physio, OT), minor assistive devices, capacity building
Level II Walks with limitations, may use hand-held mobility device Therapy, walking aids, some personal care assistance, community access support
Level III Walks using hand-held mobility device indoors, wheelchair for longer distances Manual wheelchair, increased personal care, home modifications, therapy, community access
Level IV Self-mobility with limitations, transported in wheelchair or uses powered wheelchair Powered wheelchair, significant personal care, SIL potential, high intensity supports, home modifications, SDA potential
Level V Transported in wheelchair, severely limited self-mobility Full personal care, powered wheelchair with specialised seating, 24/7 SIL, SDA (High Physical Support), high intensity supports, PEG feeding, complex positioning

NDIS Funding Categories for CP Supports

Participants with cerebral palsy typically access supports across all three NDIS funding categories. The range and value of supports depends on the participant's GMFCS level and individual functional profile.

Core Supports

Capacity Building Supports

Capital Supports

Assistive Technology for Cerebral Palsy

Assistive technology (AT) is often the most significant capital investment in a CP participant's NDIS plan. Providers who supply, maintain, or support the use of assistive technology need to understand the NDIS AT framework.

AT categories and approval pathways

AT Category Cost Threshold Assessment Required Examples for CP
Low-cost AT Under $1,500 No formal assessment — can be self-purchased from Core or Capacity Building budgets Adapted utensils, non-slip matting, simple switch devices, bath seats
Mid-cost AT $1,500 – $15,000 Assessment by a qualified therapist (OT, physiotherapist, speech pathologist) Manual wheelchairs, standing frames, basic AAC devices, shower commodes
High-cost / complex AT Over $15,000 Comprehensive AT assessment, quotes from multiple suppliers, NDIA approval Powered wheelchairs, custom moulded seating, eye-gaze communication systems, ceiling hoists, vehicle modifications
Provider Tip

If you provide support to participants who use complex assistive technology, your staff must be trained in the correct use and maintenance of that equipment. Auditors will check that staff competency is documented in your training register. This includes wheelchair operation, hoist transfers, AAC device setup, and pressure-relieving equipment management. The SIL Rescue Kit includes a Training Register template for tracking these competencies.

Specialist Disability Accommodation Eligibility

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is specialist housing for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Many participants with severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS Level IV and V) are eligible for SDA.

SDA design categories relevant to CP

High Intensity Daily Activities for CP

Many participants with cerebral palsy require high intensity daily personal activities — clinical care tasks that go beyond standard personal care. Providers delivering these supports need registration under registration group 0104 and must comply with the High Intensity Daily Personal Activities supplementary module.

Common high intensity supports for CP

SIL Registration Deadline: 1 July 2026

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Therapy Supports: Physio, OT, and Speech

Therapeutic supports are a lifelong component of care for most people with cerebral palsy. The NDIS funds allied health services that address the functional impacts of CP and work toward the participant's NDIS plan goals.

Physiotherapy for CP

Physiotherapy for participants with CP focuses on maintaining and improving mobility, strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Common interventions include stretching programs (to manage muscle contractures), strength training, gait training, hydrotherapy, and post-surgical rehabilitation (e.g., after orthopaedic surgery for contracture release). Progress notes should document specific measurements where possible — range of motion, functional mobility scores, timed mobility tasks, and pain levels.

Occupational therapy for CP

Occupational therapy addresses the participant's ability to perform daily activities independently. For CP, OT commonly covers upper limb function (fine motor skills, grip strength, hand function), adaptive equipment prescription and training, home modification assessments, wheelchair and seating assessments, sensory processing support, and daily living skills training. OTs also play a key role in prescribing assistive technology.

Speech pathology for CP

Speech pathology for CP may address communication (speech intelligibility, AAC systems, social communication) and swallowing (dysphagia management, mealtime management plans, PEG feeding oversight). Progress notes for speech pathology should document communication outcomes using functional terms — what the participant was able to communicate, using which method, and how this compares to previous sessions.

Progress Notes for Physical Disability

Progress notes for participants with cerebral palsy must capture physical support accurately, document equipment use, and link all activities to NDIS plan goals. The NDISCompliant Notes Rewriter can help support workers format their shift notes into compliant, audit-ready documentation.

What to include in every progress note

Documenting transfers and positioning

Poor Documentation Compliant Documentation
"Helped with shower" "Completed two-person hoist transfer from bed to shower chair at 07:15 using ceiling hoist and large sling. Sarah tolerated the transfer well, maintaining a neutral head position throughout. Showered with full assistance — staff washed hair, body, and applied moisturiser to pressure areas. No skin breakdown observed on sacrum or heels. Transferred back to wheelchair at 07:45."
"Had physio exercises" "Completed prescribed stretching program (hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors — 3 repetitions, 30 seconds each). Jason reported discomfort during left hamstring stretch (3/10 pain). Stretch was modified to reduce intensity. Standing frame session: 20 minutes in standing frame with trunk support. Goal 1: Maintain standing tolerance of 30 minutes by December."

Important: This article provides general guidance about NDIS compliance requirements. It is not legal or professional advice. Requirements may change as the NDIS Commission updates its policies and Practice Standards. Always verify current requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or a registered NDIS consultant before making compliance decisions.