Navigating the NDIS: A Beginner's Guide for Clinicians

Find out the key things you need to know to successfully navigate the NDIS!

This self-paced, online course covers the basics like terminology, important documents and who’s who in the NDIS, while also teaching you how to be a good clinician first, in a sector where this is sometimes forgotten.

Let’s face it, the NDIS can be challenging, confusing and frustrating

It’s completely different to other funding schemes. It’s got its own rules, own language, and own secret tips for efficiency and survival.

Yes, there is some information on the NDIS website and in blog articles from NDIS providers, but where do you even start?

There are so many legislative documents, operational guidelines and forms – do you need to know all of them?

And then there’s all the unwritten ‘rules’ that you hear other clinicians talking about, that aren’t in any official NDIA correspondence, but are the difference between why someone’s funding application will get approved and another’s won’t.

The type of inside knowledge you can only learn from someone who has been working in the NDIS themselves

Yes, the NDIS can be a challenge, but it will be much easier with the right information to get you started!

And it’s not just having “the right information,” but having it in a format that is easy to understand, focused on the essentials, and presented in a way where you can put that learning into action straight away.

This is a carefully crafted, self-paced, online course that has been developed by an experienced clinical educator with a track-record of delivering effective NDIS-specific training.

Training that provides clarity and direction, while helping you build your confidence in an overwhelming sector.

There are videos, transcripts, case studies, quizzes, and downloadable resources to help you understand and APPLY what you're learning to your everyday practice.

You’ll be able to access it via a user-friendly Learning Management system on your computer or mobile (no more lost Zoom links that expire on you!).

AND this course is an affordable price that will seem too good to be true.

Finally! Understanding the NDIS is about to get easier!

OK, I'm keen. But what will I learn?

This course will help you through the chaos of the learning process when you are new to the NDIS!

It will:

Help you decide where you need to allocate brain space, what you can think about later, and what can be forgotten because the process has actually changed.
Not only tell you what you need to know, but SHOW you where you can find it, in case things change in the future – hot tip, things are always changing in the NDIS!
Provide practical examples of what all that terminology looks like in action from the perspective of an allied health clinician.
Demonstrate how you can explain your reasoning using language that will make an impact.
Remind you how to be a good clinician who demonstrates client-centred practice, prioritises collaboration with all stakeholders, and who works towards meaningful and measurable client goals.

Need some social proof to take the plunge?

Sarah is a highly experienced occupational therapist, but she was new to the NDIS space. She was feeling a confused and overwhelmed when this course arrived at just the right time:

Tell me more about the nitty-gritty...how will I learn?

This self-paced course has been carefully created for ultimate flexibility and options and enhance the learning experience, no matter how you like to learn!

Access 3 hours of video recordings and a total of 3.5 hours of CPD (if you do the activities)
Practical case study examples in the videos and downloads to help you learn
Check your understanding with optional quizzes
Transcripts for each module
PowerPoint slides in a handy workbook
Downloadable resources (keep scrolling to see what's included!)
Certificate of completion and pre-filled CPD reflection template
Ask questions via an online discussion board
Bonus: Access to the Your OT Tutor Learning Library with over 60 videos, webinars and downloads on a range of topics relevant to OTs and allied health clinicians.

You can work through these modules in any order, and re-visit them as many times as you like. Skip the parts you already know or re-watch the ones that need more time to absorb.

Module 1 – What is the NDIS
Module 2 – Terminology you need to know
Module 3 – The reasonable and necessary criteria
Module 4 – The in, out and maybe support lists
Module 5 – Who makes funding decisions?
Module 6 – Which report do I write?
Module 7 – Why language and details matter
Module 8 – Multidisciplinary care is essential
Module 9 – Be a good clinician first
Module 10 – Surviving and thriving in the NDIS

Meet your instructor, Clare Batkin

I’m a proud #OT Nerd who is on a mission to make professional development simple, practical and worth it for all OTs and allied health professionals, so you can improve your competence and confidence and deliver high quality services to your clients.

Here’s a little about me:

I’ve worked as an OT for over 16 years across public and private sectors, in hospital, clinic and community settings.
I work as a sessional academic at a university and have supervised many students and new grads - so breaking down complex concepts for beginners is my thing!
I've completed independent OT assessments for NDIS participants contesting decisions at the AAT (now ART)
I'm a busy working mum - I know CPD has to be accessible, affordable and impactful!
Over 4000 people have signed up to access my resources, webinars and courses in two years.
In 2024 I was a finalist for Occupational Therapist of the Year at the Allied Health Awards!!

Did I mention the bonus downloads?

I've created some downloadable resources that will help you to keep learning even when you're not watching the course videos.

Resource 1: Comprehensive list of NDIS definitions and terminology with practical examples and hyperlinks for more information
Resource 2: NDIS report writing success 10-step framework
Resource 3: NDIS report planning tool - The quick version
Resource 4: Executive Summary example for long NDIS reports
Resource 5: Functional capacity assessment report writing tips
Resource 6: Caseload snapshot template, for keeping on top of who is in your caseload, when they need you next and why

Why Choose Your OT Tutor?

Access your content via a Learning Management System –
everything in one place via one login

Learn with an experienced educator so you can apply what you learn straight
away.

Get long-term access for 6 months so you can revisit the
content as often as you need to.

Not always at your computer or prefer to learn on the go? Access your content via the free mobile app.

Want to hear a little story about how this course almost didn't happen?...

After creating a few NDIS online courses, I wasn't planning on creating any more. My plan was to build more content to teach OTs core OT skills. The things that were being overlooked in complex NDIS caseloads. Skills they could apply in any sector.

But then an OT team leader reached out to me. They were transitioning into providing NDIS services, but they'd be transitioning staff one at a time.

So they needed on-demand training that staff could access at any time to teach them the basics. Training that wouldn't be reliant on having the same senior staff member delivering it repeatedly, but that would share consistent information.

They had found some other NDIS beginner's courses, but they weren't quite what they were looking for. It needed to be suitable for everyone from new grads to experienced clinicians, with enough practical examples to help clinicians apply what they were learning straight away.

So "Navigating the NDIS: A beginner's guide for clinician" was born! And now their staff are setup to access this as Step 1 of their NDIS training, followed by some deep-dive FCA training with "The OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment."

CONTACT CLARE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NDIS TRAINING FOR YOUR TEAM

Remind me what I'm getting...

Access 3.5 hours of on-demand CPD
Convenient 24/7 access via a learning management system on your laptop or mobile app – one login, no lost recording links or expiries!
Videos, case studies, quizzes, downloads and transcripts to help you learn in a way that works for you
Clarity and direction to help you focus on the essential knowledge as you get started in a complex sector

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I have to access the content?

You will have access to the three online courses for 6 months, but if life happens and you need longer, let me know and I may be able to extend it. Access to the Learning Library won't expire!

I’m not an OT – will this course be relevant for me?

This course has been written with all clinicians in mind. It will be helpful for allied health clinicians, nurses, and anyone else providing capacity building services to NDIS participants.

There have been lots of NDIS changes lately - will these courses cover those?

The course content was recorded in late February 2025. The NDIS continues to undergo changes, with more planned throughout 2025. The course has been designed to show you how to find key information yourself, so you will be able to keep up with changes as they occur. If major changes in NDIS practice occur, a text note or update will be added to the course. You will be able to access any updates free of charge while ever you have access. You are also welcome to use the discussion board to ask questions if you think something may have changed.

Will this course teach me everything I need to know to be a competent NDIS clinician?

Unfortunately not, no course could do that (if it says it can the creators are fibbing!). The NDIS is a challenging sector to work in. Courses like this can provide you with foundational skills and knowledge to help you increase your confidence and competence, but they can't teach you everything you need to know. Throughout the course content it is recommended you engage with a clinical supervisor who can help you implement what you have learnt in the course to your own caseload. If you don't have access to a supervisor, get in touch and I can send you some suggestions for who would be most suitable for your needs.

Will completing this course guarantee the NDIA will approve my recommendations?

Unfortunately not. NDIA funding decisions are often inconsistent and unclear, and it is not possible to guarantee success as decisions are made on a subjective basis. Completing this course, combined with good supervision, will help you feel more confident in your own reasoning though, so if your recommendations are declined, you have the perfect starting point to decide whether the decision is one you and your client should challenge.

I’ve been working in the NDIS for a while now, will this course be too basic?

This course was built for any clinician new to the NDIS – there’s no assumed knowledge! A range of teaching strategies have been used with a focus on practical application and consolidating your learning as you go, so it will be helpful for new graduate clinicians and students, and those who have been working for a while but are new to the NDIS. If you’ve been working in the NDIS for a while there may be some content you already know, but it may also give you a few tips you hadn’t considered. It could also be helpful to hear another perspective on how to tackle tricky tasks like report writing and liaising with the multidisciplinary team. If you’re unsure if it’s right for you, feel free to reach out before purchasing.

Can I share my login access with someone else?

Unfortunately not – this special price is for one OT only. When you make your purchase, this is one of the terms you are agreeing to. If you want to sign-up a team of OTs, get in touch and ask about my corporate bundles for bulk sign-ups.

Do I have to pay for the mobile app?

No, the mobile app is free! You’ll receive details about how to download it and get started once you sign-up.

How do the bulk sign-ups work?

If you’ve got a team to sign-up, I can streamline the process for you. Send me a list of your staff who need access (name, email address and phone number), I’ll manually grant them access and send you one invoice. Every 10th sign-up is free; I keep a rolling tally so you don’t need to sign everyone up at once. The benefit is your staff get access to consistent training exactly when they need it.

What other NDIS training do you offer?

If you found this training helpful, you might be on the lookout for more! There are courses available for report writing and managing challenging situations in the NDIS (appropriate for all allied health) and courses on completing Functional Capacity Assessments for OTs. I also offer one-on-one or group supervision and team training options so you can ask questions specific to your situation. Get in touch to find out more. For the OTs and OT students, while I’ve got lots of training specific to the NDIS, it’s not all I do! Before being an NDIS newbie myself, I was a senior OT and clinical educator within the public hospital system, covering both inpatient and outpatient caseloads. I have CPD memberships available for OTs and OT students to help you learn the ‘Foundations of OT Success’ – the skills you need to become a better OT who loves what you do. Find out more here.