Allied Health Business Brilliance

This is a timely conversation about what the federal budget is signalling for Allied Health Business Owners. This episode is a business conversation about what owners need to notice, question and prepare for as NDIS reform, Thriving Kids, tax changes, workforce movement and government decision-making continue to reshape the sector. Cathy and Layland discuss why this season requires more than clinical quality and a strong reputation. Allied Health businesses now need sharper financial discipline, stronger governance, clearer operations, compliance readiness, workforce strategy and owner-level thinking. Topics covered on budget signals, NDIS reform and business readiness: Budget signals – Layland explains why the federal budget does not give every answer, but it does show where government attention, pressure and future decisions may be heading. NDIS reform and Thriving Kids – Explore how reform, foundational supports and state-based procurement could reshape private Allied Health business models. Business structure and financial discipline – The episode looks at tax changes, succession planning, workforce movement, governance, operations and why owners need to think beyond day-to-day clinical delivery. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Have a great podcast idea or know someone who should be part of the conversation? Email podcast@nacre.com.au Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love and Layland Webb unpack the growing pressure, uncertainty, and strategic questions surrounding Thriving Kids and Foundational Supports for Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy shares why she pulled together a Victorian working party of Business Owners to discuss what is known, what is missing, and what action needs to happen next. Together, Cathy and Layland also reflect on the PRECI webinar, the lack of clear communication to the sector, and the frustration many providers are feeling whilst significant reform signals continue to emerge without enough practical guidance. This conversation also explores Nacre’s recent white paper, the risks of waiting too long to respond, and why Business Owners may need to think differently about diversification, decision-making, and future readiness. Topics covered on Thriving Kids, Foundational Supports, sector pressure, and business readiness. The Victorian Thriving Kids working party – Cathy shares how a small group of Allied Health Business Owners came together in Melbourne to discuss what they know, what they do not know, and how a submission is now being shaped for state government. The PRECI webinar and sector frustration – Cathy and Layland reflect on the tension that followed the webinar, including the concerns raised by Business Owners about viability, representation, and the lack of practical answers. What Allied Health Business Owners need to do now – The conversation explores why “wait and see” is not a strategy, the hidden cost of delay, and why diversification and different commercial thinking may now be essential. Resources Mentioned White paper: What the No Child Left Behind report signals for Allied Health Business Owners found in Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers blog Masterclass in April: Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers A 4-day Bootcamp in May for Allied Health Business Owners P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business.Midroll Message: Register for Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers Masterclass Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love speaks with Vanita Clark, Director of Freedom Plan Management, about the often-misunderstood role of plan managers in the NDIS. Drawing on her experience across disability services, multidisciplinary Allied Health businesses, and plan management, Vanita shares a practical perspective on compliance, invoicing, collaboration, and participant funding oversight.Together, Cathy and Vanita unpack what delays provider payments, why accurate invoicing matters, and how quarterly funding periods have increased operational pressure for both providers and plan managers. They also touch on group invoicing, late cancellations, the in-and-out lists, assistive technology recommendations, and the wider reform environment shaping the NDIS.Topics covered on plan management, NDIS invoicing, and quarterly funding periods:What plan managers actually do – Checking invoice compliance, confirming correct support categories and line items, verifying available funds, and managing financial risk.NDIS invoicing that delays payment – Common provider errors such as incorrect line item numbers, missing bank details, and poorly configured practice management systems.Quarterly funding periods and payment pressure – How funding periods have changed plan management through tighter budgeting oversight, software changes, and the challenge of exhausted funding periods.P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you.Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Join Foundational Support for Thriving Providers Masterclass in April.Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Joining Cathy Love this week is Sara Gingold, Editor-in-Chief of the Disability Services Consulting (DSC) Resource Hub, to unpack the fast-moving changes shaping the NDIS through an Allied Health Business lens. They explore the shift toward I-CAN (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs) as the foundation for new NDIA-led Support Needs Assessments, and the unanswered questions about how assessment data will translate into individual budgets. They also examine the proposed Foundational Supports framework, including the Thriving Kids program, and what these reforms could mean for children currently receiving NDIS-funded therapy. The episode also addresses mounting provider pressures ranging from therapy operational guideline updates and pricing uncertainty to the real-world disruption caused by quarterly funding periods. Throughout the discussion, Sara brings clear sector perspective, and key reflections for Allied Health Business Owners navigating uncertainty. Topics covered on I-CAN & Support Needs Assessments, Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids, & operational pressure points for providers: I-CAN & Support Needs Assessments – The critical unanswered question remains: how will I-CAN results translate into a participant’s budget? Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids – An overview of the proposed Foundational Supports model, including Thriving Kids for children with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism, and the complexities of state and territory negotiations still underway. Operational pressure points for providers – New therapy operational guidelines, discussions around differentiated pricing, the impact of recent price changes across therapy disciplines. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: A workshop not to be missed. Join us in-person this March in Melbourne. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode of Allied Health Business Brilliance, Cathy Love is joined by Angie (Angelina) Saunders, Founding Director of the Online Breathing Academy, for a grounded, science-informed conversation about stress, breathing, and self-regulation. Angie shares her personal journey from fast-paced production life, postnatal depletion, and emotional reactivity into the field of behavioural breathwork. Together, Cathy and Angie unpack why controlling the breath can keep people functioning while still operating at a physiological deficit — and why reflexive regulation, where the body leads, creates more sustainable calm, clarity, and capacity. The conversation also explores how breathing patterns influence leadership decisions, energy management, and recovery for business owners under constant pressure. Topics covered on reflexive regulation, stress breathing, self-regulation, business decision-making: Reflexive breathing vs forced calm – Why “just take a deep breath” can backfire and what works more effectively instead. Stress breathing patterns – How stress shows up through shallow, rapid, irregular breathing, sighing, or yawning — and why it’s highly individual. CO₂ and nervous system regulation – The role of carbon dioxide in oxygen delivery, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity. Breathing, rest, and leadership capacity – How rest, sleep, hydration, nourishment, and breathing interact to support better business decisions. Resources Mentioned Online Breathing Academy – https://www.onlinebreathingacademy.com/ Podcast: Breathing Edge Podcast page – https://www.breatheme.com/the-breathing-edge-podcast Book – 8 Superhuman Habits P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Join us in-person this March for The Allied Health Business Reset. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love is joined by Emma Leckenby, OT and founder of Little Rockets Children’s Clinic, for a grounded conversation about building a paediatric business that stays values-led as it grows.Emma shares what it’s been like moving from sole trader life to a small (and growing) clinic team — including the realities of waitlists, a brand-new clinic fit-out, and why the “little things” (like a kettle and a dedicated kitchen) matter more than you’d think. They also unpack Emma’s passion for community building, not just for families, but for clinicians too — and how strong professional networks reduce isolation, strengthen referrals, and support sustainability in an unpredictable Allied Health landscape.Topics covered on community-led practice growth, sustainable business design, and cinician support networks:Community-led practice growth – How Emma intentionally builds trusted relationships with families, schools, and fellow clinicians to support access, referrals, and long-term care.Sustainable business design – Designing a clinic, team, and pace of growth that protects energy, avoids burnout, and supports high-quality care.Clinician support networks – Why creating local professional communities reduces isolation, strengthens decision-making, and helps practices navigate uncertainty together.P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you.Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: The Allied Health Business Reset – Ready to step back and work on your business? Join us in Melbourne this March.Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

This week, we have Carolyn Weatherby, a Speech Pathologist with 27 years’ experience across disability, private practice, and clinical supervision, to explore what has unfolded for providers during a turbulent year in the NDIS — and what comes next. Carolyn shares her journey from deep frustration and loss of professional pride during the June–July 2025 NDIS cuts, to becoming part of a growing collective that found momentum through union support, Professionals Australia. The conversation unpacks why providers felt unheard, how reputational damage took hold despite “doing nothing to deserve it,” and why being believed again became a turning point. This is an honest conversation about why the union pathway emerged, how it differs from professional bodies and peak organisations, and what a collective, electorate-based campaign is asking the NDIS to do next. Topics covered on NDIS reform, union advocacy, collective voice, provider sustainability: NDIS cuts and sector impact – How funding changes hurt both providers and the people they support, triggering widespread distress and loss of pride in professional work. Professionals Australia Union – Carolyn explains why a union’s mandate to represent members directly made it the right vehicle to be heard, alongside (not instead of) peak bodies. Being heard and believed again – How meeting with MPs, senators, and media changed the tone of the conversation and restored a sense of professional worth. P.S. Need a little extra support on your business journey? Whether you’re navigating challenges or looking to reach new goals, we’re here to support your growth. Book a Complimentary Power Call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Kicking off 2026, Cathy Love is joined by Muriel Cummins for a grounded, timely conversation on what is moving fast and what remains unresolved across NDIS reform. With consultation windows opening and decisions being shaped quickly, this episode focuses on what Allied Health providers need to be paying close attention to right now. Designed for Allied Health Business Owners, leaders, and clinicians, the discussion breaks down the two major levers shaping early 2026: the NDIS Bill and the new Rules. Muriel outlines emerging changes to support needs assessments, explains why the detail matters, and highlights the importance of informed, collective advocacy during this critical period. Muriel Cummins works across disability, mental health, and the NDIS, and in this episode speaks from her role with OTSi (OT Society Inc for Invisible Disability / OT Society for Hidden and Invisible Disabilities) — a national society supporting Occupational Therapists working alongside people with invisible and hidden disabilities, with a strong focus on systemic advocacy, policy direction, and protecting access to occupational therapy. Topics covered include NDIS Bill 2.0, NDIS Rules & Planning Framework, Support Needs Assessments, Foundational Supports: NDIS Bill 2.0: What’s in the fine print Why Allied Health must look beyond safeguarding, including concerns around Section 45A and expanded NDIA powers to request participant information before claims are paid. NDIS Rules & Framework Planning: Where decisions will be made How the upcoming Rules will shape assessments, budgets, appeal rights, and possible Section 10 changes, making them the most critical lever in early 2026. Support Needs Assessments & I-CAN: Key risks Concerns about adapting the I-CAN tool, including assessor qualifications, validity, budget-setting processes, and limited appeal pathways. Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids: Unresolved questions How Thriving Kids fits within foundational supports, with ongoing uncertainty around funding, state agreement, and access for people with psychosocial disability and Allied Health services. Resources Mentioned Attend for free: OT Community Town Hall Meeting on the NDIS Bill and New Framework Planning Rules Related Episodes Episode 378: 2025 – A Shapeshifter Year for Allied Health Business OwnersEpisode 373: 2026 on the Horizon – Thriving Kids, Pricing & Allied Health Business Change P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.