Mobile rehabilitation counselling for NDIS participants across Perth
NDIS rehabilitation counselling in Perth helps people with disability set and reach goals around work, study, daily roles and community life. Voyager Allied Health provides mobile support at home, in the community and at suitable workplaces or campuses across the metropolitan area.
✓ Plan-managed, self-managed and NDIA-managed participants
✓ Sessions at home, in the community or by phone
✓ Reports for your plan review
This page explains what a rehabilitation counsellor does and how it differs from a psychologist or general counsellor. You will also find how the NDIS may fund it, what the first appointment looks like, how it links with Disability Employment Services and school leaver supports, and how Perth’s industries, distances and training options shape a realistic plan. To talk it through, get in touch or send a referral.
Who it is for
NDIS participants in Perth aged from the senior school years upward who want help with work, study, adjusting to disability or building a fuller daily life.
Where we work
Across Perth, at home, in the community, at a workplace or campus, and by phone or video for some sessions. Areas and travel are confirmed at intake.
How it is funded
Often from Capacity Building supports in your plan, for example employment-related or daily-living categories. It depends on your plan and goals.
How to start
Call 0493 576 868 or send a referral. Costs are explained in writing before anything begins.
What Is NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling in Perth?
NDIS rehabilitation counselling is goal-focused support from a counsellor who understands disability, work and the services around you. It combines counselling skills with practical planning. The aim is to help a participant work out what they want to do, what stands in the way, and which steps and supports make it possible.
Rehabilitation counselling is a self-regulated profession in Australia. Professional associations such as the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC) keep a directory and set standards. Whoever you choose, ask about their qualifications, their membership and how they will measure progress against your plan goals.
Rehabilitation counsellor, psychologist or counsellor?
The roles overlap but are not the same. A psychologist assesses and treats mental health conditions and holds AHPRA registration. A general counsellor supports emotional wellbeing and life challenges. A rehabilitation counsellor focuses on function and participation: work, study, daily roles and the environment, using counselling to work through adjustment and confidence. Many people benefit from more than one. Ask any provider where their scope stops.
What the work looks like in practice
Sessions may involve exploring interests and strengths, mapping work capacity, rehearsing job interviews, planning a return to study, or talking through the grief and frustration that can come with a new diagnosis. Rehabilitation counsellors also liaise with employers, training providers, doctors and other therapists, with your consent.
What it is not
Rehabilitation counselling is not crisis care, and it is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. If you or someone you know is at risk of harm, call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Speak to your GP about urgent health concerns.
How Is NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling Funded for Perth Participants?
Rehabilitation counselling is usually funded from the Capacity Building part of an NDIS plan, most often where the plan includes employment, daily living, relationship or community participation goals. The NDIS price guide includes support items for employment-related assessment, counselling and advice delivered by a rehabilitation counsellor, but your plan decides what you can use.
Which Capacity Building categories matter
Plan management types
Evidence that supports funding requests
Which Capacity Building categories matter
| Capacity Building category | How rehabilitation counselling may relate |
|---|---|
| Finding and Keeping a Job | Vocational assessment, job goals, interview skills, workplace adjustments and on-the-job planning |
| Improved Daily Living | Skills and routines for independence, adjusting to disability, planning a day |
| Relationships | Communication, boundaries and building social connections |
| Increased Social and Community Participation | Skills-based learning to access community, volunteering and study |
Not every plan holds every category, and amounts vary. Some plans have flexible Capacity Building funds, while others are split by category. Look at the front of your plan or ask your support coordinator how the budget is arranged.
Plan management types
Plan-managed participants can use any suitable provider, and the plan manager pays invoices. Self-managed participants pay and claim invoices themselves. NDIA-managed participants generally need a provider registered with the NDIS. Tell us your management type when you get in touch so that the service agreement matches how you pay.
Evidence that supports funding requests
A counsellor can provide a written report on your goals, your work or study capacity, what has been tried and what is recommended. This helps at a plan review. It does not guarantee funding, because the NDIA makes the decision. Ask for reports to be planned into the first service agreement so time is not a surprise later.
Funding depends on your goals, your evidence and the NDIA’s view of what is reasonable and necessary. Western Australia has been part of the national scheme since the NDIA took over delivery in July 2018. Check ndis.gov.au, your plan documents or your support coordinator before relying on any summary of funding rules.
Questions about your plan or funding? Talk to us before you book. There is no pressure.
What Happens at a First NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling Appointment in Perth?
The first meeting is a conversation. A rehabilitation counsellor wants to hear your story, your strengths, what a good day or good job looks like for you, and what is getting in the way. There is no wrong answer and no pressure to decide everything at once.
1
Referral and intake
You, a family member, GP, support coordinator or another professional makes contact. We check plan details, goals and anything urgent.
2
Conversation and assessment
We explore your history, interests, skills, supports, health factors and previous work or study. Tools may include interviews, questionnaires and observation.
3
Goals and action plan
We agree two to four goals, such as exploring jobs, enrolling in a course or learning to manage fatigue at work, and break them into steps.
4
Sessions and practice
Regular sessions build skills. They may include work trials, workplace visits, practice interviews or gradual exposure to new routines.
5
Review and report
We check progress, adjust the plan, and prepare a readable report for your plan review or for other services.
What to bring
Bring your plan summary, a recent resume if you have one, school or training records, medical or therapy letters that you are happy to share, and any ideas about work or study you are curious about. If you have none, that is fine. Exploring options is part of the work.
Who to include in NDIS rehabilitation counselling
You choose. A parent, partner, friend or support worker can join. For school leavers, teachers or transition officers may help describe strengths and interests. Under adult services you remain the decision maker unless there is a formal arrangement for someone else to act.
Where sessions can take place
Meeting at home can feel more relaxed. Other sessions suit the real environment: a library for study planning, a cafe for interview practice, a local workplace for a trial. Phone or video can suit follow-ups, particularly when travel across Perth is the main barrier.
Ready to begin? Send a referral or call, and we will confirm your next step.
Who Does NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling Help in Perth?
Participants come to rehabilitation counselling for three broad reasons: getting into work, adjusting to a change in health or ability, and building a more connected life. Most people have a mix, and the plan moves between them as confidence grows.
Work and career goals
For some participants the goal is a first job. For others it is returning after injury, changing careers or increasing hours. A counsellor can explore interests, map transferable skills, discuss disclosure of disability at work, plan workplace adjustments and prepare for interviews. They can also explain how NDIS employment-related support differs from Disability Employment Services (see below), and when both are useful.
Adjustment, confidence and wellbeing
A new diagnosis, a spinal or brain injury, a progressive condition or mental health challenges can change how a person sees their future. Rehabilitation counselling creates space to talk about grief, identity and fear, then connects those feelings to practical choices. It does not replace treatment from a psychologist or psychiatrist when that is needed. If low mood or anxiety is severe, speak with your GP.
Study, volunteering and community roles
Work is not the only goal. Participants might start a TAFE or university course, volunteer, join a club or build routines that make days feel full. A counsellor can help you find options, request reasonable adjustments, and plan the transport and support needed to keep going.
NDIS Employment Supports, Inclusive Employment Australia and Rehabilitation Counselling
NDIS employment supports and Inclusive Employment Australia do different jobs. NDIS employment-related supports help build work readiness and skills where your plan funds them. Inclusive Employment Australia is the federal specialist employment program that started on 1 November 2025, replacing Disability Employment Services, with no time limits on participation.
Which suits you depends on where you are on the journey. You may use one, the other or both at different times. A rehabilitation counsellor can help you decide, always with your consent and your own goals leading.
Preparing for job-ready services
If work feels a long way off, NDIS-funded planning might focus on routines, travel training, money handling, communication and confidence. When you are ready to apply for jobs, a specialist employment provider can help with job search, employers and in-work support. Questions to ask any provider: what is the cost to me, how long does support last, and who is my main contact?
School Leaver Employment Supports
Some young people who are finishing school may be eligible for School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), which can help with the move from school to work. Whether you can use SLES depends on your plan and circumstances, so ask your planner or coordinator. Rehabilitation counselling can help clarify goals before SLES or alongside it.
Workplace adjustments
Reasonable adjustments might include flexible hours, a quiet workspace, assistive technology or a mentor. A counsellor can work with you and, with consent, with an employer to describe needs in practical terms. An occupational therapist in Perth may be needed for a workplace assessment or equipment.
Workers' compensation is different
If an injury happened at work, WorkCover WA and the workers’ compensation system have their own return-to-work processes and rehabilitation providers. NDIS funds disability-related supports and does not replace those arrangements. If you are unsure which system applies, ask your case manager, insurer or support coordinator.
Psychosocial Disability, Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counselling
Rehabilitation counselling can support people with psychosocial disability to build routines, relationships and meaningful roles. It works best alongside clinical care, not instead of it. The counsellor focuses on function and participation in everyday life.
Fluctuating capacity
Mental health conditions can change from month to month. A good plan allows for better and harder periods, with flexible session timing, shorter meetings and a clear safety plan agreed with your treating team. Goals are set at a pace that is achievable, then adjusted.
Recovery-oriented practice
Recovery means building a life that matters to you, with or without symptoms. Sessions may include setting small goals, practising daily structure, learning to manage stress at work or study, and building a support circle. Your clinician, GP and family can be included with your consent.
When to involve other services
If there is a risk of harm, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Speak to your GP or treating team about changes in symptoms. A rehabilitation counsellor will say when clinical care or crisis support is the right next step and help you connect with it.
Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Disability
People who acquire a disability later in life often need to rebuild roles at home, work and in the community. Rehabilitation counselling supports this process alongside medical and therapy teams. It focuses on what matters to the person and which adjustments make participation possible.
Returning to work or study after injury
A return may be gradual and planned, with reduced hours, task changes, rest breaks and clear communication with an employer. Fatigue, memory, attention and mobility can all affect planning. A counsellor can work with an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech pathologist to match demands with capacity.
Identity and relationships
Injury changes family roles. A partner may become a carer, or a parent may no longer be able to do familiar tasks. Counselling helps people name these shifts and decide how they want their relationships to work. Families can be included where the participant wishes.
Equipment, transport and access
Getting to a job or campus can be the biggest barrier. Planning may include accessible transport, parking arrangements, assistive technology or home-office set-up. Some items need a formal assessment by an allied health professional, such as through our NDIS assessments in Perth service.
Autism, Intellectual Disability and Learning Differences
For autistic people and those with intellectual disability or learning differences, rehabilitation counselling can make the path from school to work clearer. Planning is concrete, visual and paced. It uses the person’s interests to identify roles, and it prepares workplaces for success as well.
Discovery and strengths
Sessions might include trying activities, visiting workplaces, talking with people in different jobs and noting what feels good. The goal is to find roles that fit the person’s strengths rather than forcing a fit. Pictures, checklists and short written summaries make plans easier to follow.
Travel and routine training
Using Transperth trains and buses safely is a big step towards independence. Travel practice can be built into sessions, starting with a familiar route and removing support gradually. Safety planning, such as what to do if a service is cancelled, is part of the training.
Communication and social skills at work
Understanding unwritten workplace rules, asking for help and handling feedback can be practised through role play and real-life examples. A speech pathologist may also support communication goals, so the two plans should line up.
Who Does What? Rehabilitation Counselling and Other Supports in Perth
Rehabilitation counselling is rarely the only support in a plan. The best results come when each professional’s role is clear, so effort is not duplicated. Here is a simple guide.
| Service | Main focus | How it links to rehabilitation counselling |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation counselling | Work, study, adjustment and participation goals | Leads on vocational planning and goal pathways |
| Occupational therapy | Daily living skills, sensory needs, equipment, workplace assessment | Supplies functional evidence and adjustments |
| Speech pathology | Communication and swallowing | Supports interviews, workplace communication and social skills |
| Physiotherapy | Strength, mobility, pain and fatigue | Helps build physical capacity for work and study |
| Dietetics | Nutrition and energy for daily demands | Supports health habits behind attendance and energy |
| Psychology | Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions | Provides clinical care that the counsellor works alongside |
Learn more about NDIS physiotherapy in Perth and our NDIS dietitian service in Perth. For a full overview, see NDIS allied health therapies in Perth or the national page on NDIS allied health therapies.
How Perth Shapes Rehabilitation Counselling
Perth’s working life, geography and training options all influence what a realistic plan looks like. A good rehabilitation counsellor uses local knowledge so goals are not only ambitious but achievable.
A resource-driven economy
Western Australia has a large resources and construction sector, with many roles built around rosters, FIFO travel and safety-sensitive tasks. These jobs can be difficult to fit with some disabilities, though other roles in administration, logistics, retail, hospitality, health, community services and the public sector are plentiful. A counsellor can help you explore both pathways and understand what each demands.
Training and study options
Perth has several TAFE colleges, including North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE, as well as universities with disability support services. Many offer pre-vocational courses and access plans. Planning might include enrolment support, adjustments, assistive technology, and a realistic timetable around fatigue or health appointments.
Distances and public transport
Perth’s suburbs spread along a long coastal plain. A job in Joondalup can be hard to reach from Armadale without a car, and public transport trips can be long. Planning therefore includes travel training, shift times and accessible routes from the outset. The Transperth network includes trains, buses and ferries, with accessibility features that vary by station and service.
Heat and work
Hot summers can affect fatigue, medications and outdoor work. A counsellor can help plan for heat safety, hydration, flexible hours and an arrival time that avoids peak temperatures where possible.
Regional and remote access
People living outside the metro area face different options, and the NDIS has a Joint Work Program with the WA Government to improve regional access. If you live in the South-West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt or further away, call us to talk through what may be possible by visit or by phone.
Where We Provide NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling Across Perth
Our mobile approach means sessions can take place where daily life happens. The areas below are where participants often ask about support. They are examples, not a coverage promise. Availability, travel and any travel billing are confirmed at intake.
Perth CBD · Northbridge · East Perth · Subiaco · Leederville · Victoria Park · Mount Lawley
Joondalup · Wanneroo · Clarkson · Butler · Scarborough · Stirling · Balga · Girrawheen
Midland · Ellenbrook · Bassendean · Morley · Mundaring · Kalamunda · Maylands
Fremantle · Cockburn · Willetton · Bull Creek · Melville · Murdoch · Thornlie
Armadale · Gosnells · Maddington · Cannington · Byford · Kelmscott · Canning Vale
Rockingham · Baldivis · Kwinana · Mandurah · Port Kennedy · Warnbro
Sessions in familiar places
Home visits suit people who find new places draining. Community sessions work well for practising real tasks, such as catching a train or visiting a library. A workplace visit or a campus walk-through can give confidence before the first day.
Telehealth and phone
Phone or video may suit some follow-up sessions. These can be helpful when fatigue, travel or health makes an in-person visit hard. Your counsellor will say when meeting in person is more useful.
Want to check we can visit your suburb? Get in touch and we will confirm.
How We Work With Your Support Team
Support works best when it is joined up. With your consent, we communicate with your support coordinator, plan manager, GP, therapists, employment provider, school and employer so everyone is working towards the same goals.
Support coordinators and local area coordination
In Western Australia, adults and teenagers aged 9 to 64 generally start with a local area coordination partner. Younger children start with an early childhood partner. These partners and your support coordinator can help you understand plan categories and find services. We are happy to share goals and progress with them, with your permission.
Employers, schools and training providers
If you want us to speak with an employer, tutor or teacher, you decide what is shared. Information can be as simple as “needs a quiet space and written instructions”. Disability disclosure is a personal choice, and you can decide how and when to do it.
Reports
We prepare readable reports for plan reviews, employers or services you nominate. They describe your goals, activities, progress and next steps. We cannot guarantee funding outcomes, but clear evidence helps decision makers understand your situation.
Meeting the wider team
You can learn about our team, read participant stories or browse frequently asked questions.
Why Choose Voyager Allied Health for NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling in Perth?
Choosing a provider should feel comfortable and clear. Here is what we aim to offer, so you can compare us with any other option.
More detail
- Goal-led. Your hopes, strengths and pace shape the plan.
- Practical. Real-world practice in places that matter, not only talking.
- Joined-up. Rehabilitation counselling can be coordinated with occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy and dietetics.
- Plain language. Short, clear plans and summaries you can share with whoever you choose.
- Transparent costs. Fees, travel and reports are explained before you agree to anything.
We also tell you when another service suits you better, such as clinical psychology, a specialist employment provider or a medical review. We would rather point you to the right place than fill your plan with the wrong supports.
Comparing providers? Ask us anything before you decide.
How to Choose a Rehabilitation Counsellor in Perth
A few direct questions can show whether a provider is a good fit.
Questions to ask any provider
- What qualifications do you hold, and which professional association are you a member of?
- Do you have experience with my type of disability and my goals?
- How will you measure progress, and how often will we review it?
- Where will sessions take place, and what are the travel arrangements?
- How will you work with my support coordinator, employment provider or employer?
- What are all the costs, including reports and travel?
Warning signs to watch for
Be cautious of anyone who guarantees you a job or funding, pressures you to disclose your disability, bills for sessions without a clear plan, or ignores your own goals. A good counsellor listens first and explains each step in plain terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling in Perth
What is NDIS rehabilitation counselling in Perth?
It is goal-focused support from a rehabilitation counsellor to help people with disability reach work, study, daily living and community goals. Sessions can include vocational assessment, adjustment counselling, action planning and practice in real settings. Whether it is funded depends on your NDIS plan.
Is rehabilitation counselling different from a psychologist?
Yes. A psychologist is AHPRA-registered and assesses and treats mental health conditions. A rehabilitation counsellor focuses on participation: work, study and daily roles, using counselling skills. Some people use both. A good provider will tell you when clinical care is needed.
Does the NDIS fund rehabilitation counselling?
Often, but it depends on your plan. Rehabilitation counselling is usually claimed from Capacity Building supports, such as those linked to employment or daily living. Check your plan or ask your support coordinator or the NDIA. The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary.
What is the difference between NDIS employment support and Inclusive Employment Australia?
NDIS employment supports can help build work readiness where your plan funds them. Inclusive Employment Australia is a federal program, in place since 1 November 2025, that replaced Disability Employment Services. You may use one or both. Ask your planner or provider which fits your goals.
Can I get help finding a job through rehabilitation counselling in Perth?
Yes. A counsellor can explore interests, assess work capacity, build resumes, practise interviews and plan workplace adjustments. They cannot promise a job. Many people combine counselling with a specialist employment provider when they are ready to apply for roles.
Do I need a referral for rehabilitation counselling?
You do not usually need a GP referral for NDIS-funded rehabilitation counselling. A referral from a doctor, support coordinator or other health professional can help us understand your history. Call 0493 576 868 and we will explain what information is useful.
Can a rehabilitation counsellor visit me at home in Perth?
Yes. Mobile support is how Voyager works. Sessions may take place at home, in the community or at a workplace or campus where appropriate. Service areas and any travel arrangements across metropolitan Perth are confirmed at intake.
Can school leavers in Perth use rehabilitation counselling?
Often yes, if their plan includes relevant goals. Young people finishing school may also qualify for School Leaver Employment Supports, depending on their plan. A counsellor can help clarify strengths and interests before the move into work or training.
What if my injury happened at work?
Workers’ compensation arrangements in WA, including WorkCover WA processes, have their own rehabilitation and return-to-work pathways. The NDIS funds disability-related supports and does not replace them. Ask your case manager or insurer which system applies to which support.
Is telehealth available for rehabilitation counselling?
Phone or video sessions may suit some follow-ups, especially when fatigue or travel is a barrier. Initial planning and real-world practice often work better in person. Your counsellor will suggest the best format for your goals.
What if I am in crisis?
Rehabilitation counselling is not a crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For emotional support at any time you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, and speak to your GP or treating team about urgent mental health concerns.
Start With NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling in Perth
The first step is a short, no-pressure conversation. Tell us what you would like to do, what is getting in the way, and what your plan says. We will explain what is realistic, what funding may cover and who would work with you. You can bring a support person.
Related services in Perth
Rehabilitation counselling often works with other supports. Explore NDIS assessments in Perth, early childhood intervention in Perth and the NDIS physiotherapy service in Perth. See how the service works elsewhere, such as NDIS rehabilitation counselling in Melbourne or Adelaide.
Other NDIS services in Perth
Rehabilitation Counselling in other cities
Plan Your Next Step With a Perth Rehabilitation Counsellor
Call 0493 576 868 or send a referral. We will explain your options, the costs and the first step in plain language.