Steppingstone Service Agreement and Schedule of Supports

This Service Agreement is made for the purpose of providing a range of Occupational Therapy services to participants with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, Medicare or private clients through Steppingstone Occupational Therapy, QLD Australia.

This Service Agreement is made between Steppingstones Occupational Therapy (the Provider) and the Participant (or their authorised representative) for the provision of Occupational Therapy services under the Participant’s current NDIS Plan.

This Agreement is established in alignment with the objectives and principles of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and supports the Participant’s right to exercise choice and control in the pursuit of their goals. A copy of the Participant’s current NDIS Plan is attached to this Agreement for reference.

• Provide clear information about the supports to be delivered.

• Set out how and when services will be provided.

• Establish responsibilities of both Steppingstone OT and the Participant.

• Ensure compliance with the NDIS Act 2013, NDIS Code of Conduct, and NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (2025).

The purpose of this Agreement is to:

Promote the Participant’s independence, well-being, and social participation (and, where applicable, their economic participation),
Enable the Participant to make informed choices and have control over the planning and delivery of their supports, in accordance with relevant legislation and NDIS practice standards.

Services will be delivered by Steppingstones Occupational Therapy (the Provider) in accordance with the Participant's NDIS Plan. Sessions may be delivered at the Provider’s office, via telehealth (e.g., phone or video conferencing), or in community-based settings, as agreed upon with the Participant.

The Provider agrees to deliver Occupational Therapy services for the duration of this Service Agreement, as detailed in the attached Schedule of Supports table. Fees are aligned with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. The Provider reserves the right to apply any updates to prices or terms as issued by the NDIA during the course of this agreement.

In the event the Participant receives a new NDIS Plan, the existing Service Agreement and attached Schedule of Supports will remain in effect until reviewed and re-signed, if required.

All NDIS services are billed at $193.99 per hour, in line with the current NDIS pricing for Occupational Therapy services. Any additional expenses not covered by the NDIS (e.g., cooking ingredients, transport fees, entry fees) are the responsibility of the Participant.

Private and Medicare appointments are billed at $235 per hour and are to be paid in full at the time of the appointment. A full list of services, fees, and chargeable items is provided in the attached Schedule of Supports. All rates are charged in line with the current NDIS Price Guide. If the NDIA changes pricing, Steppingstone OT will adjust rates accordingly. Services will be delivered as agreed in your therapy plan and in alignment with your NDIS goals.

•A full list of services, fees, and chargeable items is provided in the attached Schedule of Supports.

• All rates are charged in line with the current NDIS Price Guide. If the NDIA changes pricing, Steppingstone OT will adjust rates accordingly.

• Services will be delivered as agreed in your therapy plan and in alignment with your NDIS goals.

• Deliver supports professionally, safely, and in line with evidence-based practice.

• Work with the Participant to identify goals and track progress.

• Communicate openly and honestly, giving notice of any changes to appointments.

• Safeguard the Participant’s privacy and confidentiality.

• Ensure staff hold the necessary qualifications, registrations, and insurances.

• Maintain professional indemnity, public liability, and workers’ compensation insurance.

• Keep records of support provided and share progress reports as required.

• Follow the NDIS Code of Conduct and all Australian laws.

• Work with Steppingstone OT to set and review therapy goals.

• Provide accurate information relevant to their care.

• Treat staff with courtesy and respect.

• Notify Steppingstone OT of any changes to their NDIS Plan, funding, or personal circumstances.

• Attend appointments or provide at least 48 hours’ notice of cancellations.

• Pay invoices within the agreed timeframe.

• Acknowledge that Steppingstone OT does not provide emergency or crisis support services.

In the situation where the client is late for an appointment, the session length is shortened so that the session will end on time, to avoid the Practitioner being late for subsequent appointments or duties.

If the Participant makes a short-notice cancellation or reschedules an appointment, within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment, the client will be charged 100% of the agreed cost of the scheduled service.

For other cancellations, where the client has provided notice of cancellation at least 48 hours before the appointment of the scheduled service, the Provider will not charge a cancellation fee.

A request for rescheduling or cancellation can be made by calling or texting the Steppingstone Occupational Therapy clinic on 0421440605 or emailing hello@steppingstone.au

• Invoices will be issued after each appointment.

• Payments are due within 7 days of invoice.

• Plan Managed – invoices sent directly to Plan Manager.

• Self-Managed – invoices sent directly to Participant for payment.

• Failure to make payment within 7 days may result in services being paused. Non-payment beyond 14 days may result in termination of services and recovery action.

• NDIS supports are GST-free unless otherwise stated.

Payments are made as follows: 

1. Self-management: NDIS funding is managed by themselves or for a nominated person. In this case, you pay your invoices from Steppingstone Occupational Therapy directly and strictly within 7 days of service provision.

2. Plan Management Provider: The Plan Management Provider pays the invoices directly.

3. Private/Medicare: You, as a Client, pay the full amount at the time of the appointment via direct bank transfer or HICAPS (where applicable).

• Travel will be charged at 50% of the hourly rate, capped at 30 minutes each way, plus $0.99 per km for vehicle use.

• Parking and tolls directly incurred for appointments will also be charged.

• Where travel exceeds NDIA maximums, prior written agreement will be sought.

• Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at the full session fee.

• Non-attendance without notice will also be charged at the full session fee.

• This is consistent with NDIS Pricing Arrangements and industry standards.

• Frequent cancellations may trigger a review of service provision.

• Steppingstone OT complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

• All personal information and clinical notes are stored securely and only accessed by authorised staff.

• Information will not be shared without the Participant’s consent, except in circumstances where disclosure is required by law.

• This includes (but is not limited to):

• Where there is a risk of harm to the Participant or others, and disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm.

• Where Steppingstone OT is legally required to provide records (e.g., court orders, subpoenas, or lawful requests by authorities).

• Where mandatory reporting obligations apply (e.g., concerns for the safety of a child or vulnerable person).

In such cases, information will only be shared with the relevant authorities, and the Participant will be informed of the disclosure wherever possible.

• Steppingstone OT maintains a safe working environment for staff and clients.

• Participants are expected to ensure a *safe environment for home/community sessions.

• If unsafe conditions are identified, services may be paused until addressed.

• In emergencies, Participants must contact 000 – Steppingstone OT does not provide crisis services.

*This includes (but is not limited to):

• Ensuring that smoke-free and drug-free environments are maintained during sessions.
• Securing pets where appropriate to reduce risk to clinicians.
• Providing a space that is reasonably clean, accessible, and free of immediate hazards.
• Ensuring that others present in the home act respectfully and do not engage in unsafe, abusive, or threatening behaviour.

• Steppingstone OT will declare and manage any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

• Participants have the right to seek services from other providers at any time.

We value your feedback and encourage you to let us know if you have any uncertainties, concerns, or issues with the services we provide. We will work with you to resolve the matter to the best of our ability. Please contact us on 0421440605 or email feedback@steppingstone.au.

If you are not satisfied with our response, or if the issue cannot be resolved directly with us, you can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission:

o Phone: 1800 035 544

o Online: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

• Feedback is encouraged and can be provided verbally, in writing, or via email.

• Complaints will be managed promptly and fairly.

• This Agreement may be varied at any time with mutual consent.

• Changes must be confirmed in writing (email is sufficient).

• Reviews will occur at least annually, or earlier if goals, needs, or plans change.

• By either party, with 14 days’ written notice.

• Immediately, if the Participant engages in unsafe or abusive behaviour, or fails to make payment as agreed.

• Any outstanding invoices remain payable upon termination.

This Service Agreement, together with the attached Schedule of Supports, represents the entire understanding between Steppingstone OT and the Participant.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service for people who do not speak English.  If this service would help you to speak with us, you can find more information on https://www.tisnational.gov.au/en