NDIS therapy at school or preschool in Adelaide
Families can request that NDIS-funded supports be delivered during teaching and learning time when support cannot be provided outside school or preschool hours.
NDIS funding does not automatically provide access to a school or preschool
Schools and preschools must protect teaching and learning time while considering the safety, needs and participation of every child.
The site leader decides whether an external provider can deliver support on site. Decisions are made individually and approval may be subject to specific days, times, locations and conditions.
The family makes the request
The written request must come from the child’s family or carer—not directly from CTA or another provider.
The site considers it
The Principal or Preschool Director considers the request in the context of the child, the learning program and the wider site.
Other times are considered
Where possible, families are encouraged to consider whether the support could occur outside school or preschool hours.
How school or preschool-based support is arranged
The family, site and provider each have a role before therapy can begin.
Family submits a request
The family or carer contacts the school or preschool and completes the site’s written request process.
The leader considers it
The Principal or Preschool Director reviews the request and may seek more information from the family.
The family receives the decision
The site advises the family whether the request has been approved. The family then informs CTA.
CTA supplies its documents
If approved, CTA provides the required screening, qualifications, insurance and service information.
Arrangements are completed
CTA and the site complete the licence agreement, confirm the schedule and complete an induction before support begins.
For the complete government process, visit the South Australian Department for Education .
Support aligned with the person’s goals
If site access is approved, the agreed service, schedule and arrangements are documented before visits begin.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy may support disability-related speech, language, communication or participation goals where the service is appropriate for the participant.
Explore Speech Therapy
Music Therapy
Music therapy may use structured musical experiences to work towards disability-related communication, regulation, participation and wellbeing goals.
Explore Music Therapy
School and preschool visits
CTA therapists may travel to approved sites across Adelaide, depending on service suitability, therapist availability and the arrangements recorded in the Service Agreement.
View fees and service informationWhat the school or preschool considers
Approval is based on the individual request and the site’s ability to provide safe access without unnecessarily disrupting education.
Learning and participation
How the proposed support relates to the child’s needs, goals and participation in the learning program.
Safety and line of sight
How the site will maintain its duty of care, including appropriate supervision and line of sight.
Time and location
Whether a suitable room, day and time are available without creating unreasonable disruption.
Classroom impact
The effect on the child, other children and the educator’s delivery of the learning program.
Other providers
The number and complexity of external-provider requests already being managed by the site.
Provider requirements
The provider’s qualifications, screening, training, insurance and proposed service arrangements.
Clear responsibilities help visits run smoothly
The family remains the main communication link between CTA and the school or preschool.
Your role
- Submit the written request to the school or preschool.
- Tell CTA when the site has made its decision.
- Notify CTA about absences, excursions or special events.
- Tell the site if support stops or the provider changes.
- Provide written consent before information is shared.
- Arrange educator meetings through the agreed site process.
What CTA manages
- Professional qualifications and membership information.
- Required screening and child-safety training evidence.
- Required insurance and compliance documentation.
- Details of the proposed support and schedule.
- The site licence agreement and induction process.
- Identification, sign-in, privacy and record-keeping requirements.
If on-site therapy is not approved, there may still be another option
A declined school or preschool request does not necessarily mean the person cannot access therapy.
Torrensville clinic
Therapy may be available at CTA’s clinic at 247 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville.
View contact informationHome or community
Outreach support may be considered where it is suitable, available and included in the agreed service arrangements.
View service informationTelehealth
Online therapy may be considered where it is clinically appropriate and suitable for the participant.
Ask about your optionsNDIS therapy in schools and preschools
These answers provide general guidance. The school or preschool makes the final decision about provider access.
Is school-based therapy automatically approved?
No. NDIS funding does not automatically give a provider access to a school or preschool. The site leader considers every request individually.
Can CTA make the request for my child?
No. The request must come from the child’s family or carer. CTA can provide relevant service information after the site begins considering the request.
Can CTA communicate with my child’s educator?
Communication must be agreed with the family and arranged through the school or preschool. Written consent is required before CTA and the site share information about the child.
Can therapy happen inside the classroom?
The site decides the approved location. It may choose a separate room or another suitable space and must be able to maintain its supervision and line-of-sight requirements.
What happens if the request is declined?
Families can discuss the decision with the site leader and speak with CTA about other possible delivery options, including clinic, outreach or telehealth where appropriate.
Does this process apply to every school?
This page is based on South Australian Department for Education guidance. Catholic and independent schools may have their own provider-access processes, documentation and agreements.
Will the NDIS fund therapy delivered at school?
Funding depends on the participant’s plan, disability-related needs and the NDIS funding criteria. Supports whose primary purpose is education remain the responsibility of the education system. Read the NDIS school education guidance .
Where can I find the official family information?
Read the Department for Education guide for families and carers or visit the external-provider access page .
Talk to us about the support you are considering
Tell us whether you are exploring speech therapy or music therapy and whether you have already spoken with the school or preschool.
We can discuss service suitability and explain the information CTA can provide if the site begins considering your request.
The family or carer must submit the provider-access request directly to the school or preschool.
Sending an enquiry does not guarantee site approval or commit you to accessing services.
Please avoid including sensitive health information in this initial message.
You can also complete our Intake Form .