How Mobile Therapy Can Help You Live Well at Home
A Closer Look at Life With MS and the NDIS
Did you know that more than 37,000 Australians are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) right now? According to MS Australia’s 2025 prevalence report, 37,756 people were living with the condition in 2024, a rise of 77 per cent since 2010. If you or someone you care for is among them, you may be asking whether NDIS multiple sclerosis support is available and how to make it work. The short answer is that many people with MS can access NDIS funding, even when their symptoms feel manageable day to day.
This article explains how MS support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) works, which supports may be funded, and how mobile allied health care from On The Go Rehabilitation Services can help you turn an NDIS plan into steady progress at home. If you have questions about your options, call our team on 0429 115 211 for a friendly chat. By the end, you will know what to ask, what to prepare, and where to begin.
Why MS Support Matters Now Across Australia
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, which means it affects the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms can change over time, and no two people experience it in the same way.
The numbers show why this topic matters. MS Australia reports that the annual cost of MS now exceeds $3 billion for the first time. Costs also climb with disability, rising from $42,688 per person with no disability to $135,780 for severe disability. The same report calls for improvements to NDIS processes for people with MS, which shows the scheme is part of the national conversation.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) adds another angle. More than one in 10 neurological condition hospitalisations were for MS, and more than three in four people hospitalised for MS were women. The median age of those hospitalised was 42, so MS often affects people who are still working, raising families or caring for others.
For people across greater Perth, daily life is also shaped by distance and time. Travelling to appointments can drain energy, add stress and eat into work hours. That is one reason home-based support has become a practical option for many households.
Understanding NDIS Multiple Sclerosis Support Options
The NDIS is a nationally funded scheme designed to provide access to lifelong support for people living with a disability. MS is considered a permanent condition, although its effects vary greatly from one person to the next. That means NDIS funding for MS depends on how the condition affects your daily living, not on the diagnosis alone.
Depending on your plan, funding may support things such as support workers who help with personal care, household tasks and community activities. It can also cover emotional support, help managing fatigue or changes in thinking, allied health therapy, and assistive equipment that helps you stay independent. Every funded support must be reasonable and necessary, so your plan should match your goals and circumstances.
Think of your NDIS plan as a toolbox. You can add tools as your needs change, and you can raise those changes at a plan review meeting. If you receive Mobility Allowance, transport can also be considered in your plan.
Eligibility Depends on Impact, Not Just Diagnosis
Many people with MS assume they will not qualify because they are working, driving or feeling well most days. That assumption can stop people from asking. Whether NDIS multiple sclerosis support suits you depends on how MS affects your daily life. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assesses each application case by case and asks whether you usually need support from another person, or assistive equipment, to sustain your lifestyle.
Eligibility also looks ahead. If there is evidence that getting supports now will help reduce your future support needs, you may still be eligible, even if you currently manage well. MS Queensland’s NDIS eligibility guide explains this in plain language. Children under nine with MS may reach NDIS funding through the early childhood early intervention pathway, according to Mable’s MS NDIS funding guide.
To begin, review the NDIS Access Checklist on the NDIS website, then call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to talk through your eligibility. If the NDIA believes you may be eligible, you will receive an Access Request Form to complete.
Key Considerations Before You Apply
Preparing well can save time and stress later. Keep these points in mind as you get started:
- Gather real examples. Write down the daily tasks that have become harder, how often they happen and what help you currently use.
- Include fatigue and thinking changes. Fatigue and changes in memory or concentration affect daily life, so describe them honestly in your notes.
- Get a current medical summary. Ask your GP or neurologist for an up-to-date summary of your diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
- Set clear goals. Focus on what you want to achieve, such as working part-time, cooking meals or getting out to see friends. A clear NDIS plan for MS starts with clear goals.
- Plan for change. MS can change over time, so request a plan review when your needs shift.
Consider support coordination as well. A support coordinator can help you understand your plan and find providers that suit your goals. This can be especially useful when your plan includes several services at once.
How Mobile Therapy Compares With Clinic and Telehealth Care
Where therapy happens matters almost as much as what therapy involves. The table below compares the three main delivery models.
Table 1: NDIS multiple sclerosis support across mobile, clinic and telehealth models
| Feature | Mobile home visits | Clinic-based therapy | Telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel needed | None, because the therapist comes to you | Yes, including transport and parking | None, but a device and stable connection are needed |
| Setting for assessment | Your home and real daily routines | Clinic rooms | Video view of your surroundings |
| Equipment used | Items you already own, plus approved aids | Clinic equipment | Mostly what you already have |
| Hands-on treatment | Yes | Yes | Generally no |
| Energy demands | Lower, with no trip required | Travel can be tiring | Low, but limited hands-on care |
| Practice of skills | Skills are used where they matter | Skills must be transferred home | Demonstrated remotely |
Telehealth can suit some check-ins, but it cannot replace hands-on assessment or treatment. Clinic visits offer set equipment in one location, although the trip itself can be tiring. Mobile therapy keeps the benefits of in-person care while removing the journey, which matters when energy is limited.
Main Benefits of Mobile Therapy for People Living With MS
Mobile therapy offers several advantages for people managing MS at home:
- More energy for therapy. Skipping the trip leaves more energy for the session and for daily life afterwards.
- Practice in real surroundings. Skills are practised in the rooms and routines where they matter most.
- Equipment you already own. Therapists adapt exercises using household items, which makes home programs easier to keep up.
- Family can take part. Relatives can join sessions and understand how to support ongoing care.
- Scheduling that fits you. Appointments can be arranged around your energy levels and routine, with seven-day availability.
Each benefit points to the same goal: making therapy easier to keep doing. When treatment fits into your week, progress tends to build steadily rather than stall.
How On The Go Rehabilitation Supports Your NDIS Multiple Sclerosis Plan
At On The Go Rehabilitation Services, we understand that NDIS multiple sclerosis support works best when it fits around real life. As an NDIS approved provider, we bring our mobile allied health team to your home, your aged care facility or any preferred location across greater Perth. Our service area stretches from Two Rocks in the north to Mandurah in the south, with the Perth Hills to the east.
Our physiotherapists focus on movement, strength and balance. Occupational therapists concentrate on daily living tasks and practical home adaptations. Exercise physiologists design routines for fitness and long-term health conditions, while speech pathologists support communication and swallowing. Our dietitians offer nutrition advice that suits your health needs and daily meals. Because everything happens at home, we can see how you move and manage tasks in the setting where they actually occur.
We pride ourselves on having no waiting times and offering seven-day service, so support can start when you need it. Our team stays current with evidence-based practice, which helps when your goals or funding rules change. To talk about how allied health can fit your plan, call 0429 115 211 or visit our website at onthegorehab.com.au.
Practical Steps and Future Outlook
If you are starting out, these steps can help you move forward:
- Set your goals. Write down three outcomes you want from support over the next six months.
- Build your evidence. Collect notes, letters and recent reports that show how MS affects your daily tasks.
- Contact the NDIA. Call 1800 800 110 to confirm your eligibility and ask about the next steps.
- Choose providers who come to you. Compare services by location, availability and their approach to home-based care.
The outlook for MS support in Australia is shaped by rising prevalence and ongoing debate about the scheme. MS Australia has called for better NDIS pricing and processes for people with MS. Proposed NDIS changes may also affect how plans work, so check current rules on the NDIS website before you make decisions. When you are unsure, ask your support team to explain what a change means for your plan.
Where to Go From Here
MS affects tens of thousands of Australians, and its costs are rising alongside those numbers. Eligibility depends on how MS shapes your daily life, and mobile therapy can bring practical, hands-on care into your own home. The right NDIS multiple sclerosis support can turn a plan on paper into everyday progress.
Consider a few questions as you plan. What would change in your week if therapy came to your home? Which everyday tasks would you most like to manage with more confidence? How could your NDIS plan reflect the life you want to live with MS?
If you are ready to talk, call On The Go Rehabilitation Services on 0429 115 211 or visit onthegorehab.com.au to arrange a friendly conversation about your options.