“Returning to OT After Maternity Leave: Is NDIS Work Still Worth It?”
"Beyond the Numbers: A Netball Court Reminder of Why We Do This Work"
By Amy Oman, Occupational Therapist & Mum
The latest NDIS price guide update has landed, to be rolled out from the first of July — and like many allied health professionals, I’ve been watching closely from the sidelines. Officially, I’m on maternity leave right now. Unofficially? I’m quietly debating if I even want to return.
Because honestly, it’s disheartening.
Rising complexity. Reduced rates. A system that keeps asking more of clinicians while giving less in return. As someone who has poured heart, energy, and hours into family-centred practice, it’s hard not to wonder: Is it worth it?
🏐 A Moment That Brought Me Back to Centre
Last week, I was playing in a mums' social netball team — a much-needed outlet during this wild season of early motherhood. The comp includes a few younger teams that use the games as training.
Lining up, my teen opponent turned to me and gently asked:
“Is your name Amy?”
I nodded, surprised. She smiled and said:
“You were my OT when I was younger.”
Now a confident 13-year-old, towering over me with poise, she remembered me from when she was no older than nine. But in that moment, she saw me — and remembered.
Tears pricked my eyes.
Because even as I sit at home, unsure whether I can or should return to NDIS work, this young person reminded me of the quiet, lasting impact of what we do.
💛 This Is Why We Do It
Not for the pricing schedules or compliance checklists.
Not for the backlogs, budget caps, or late-night admin.
But for the child who feels seen.
For the parent who feels heard.
For the spark of confidence that keeps growing years after we step out of the picture.
That netball game reminded me:
We are not just part of someone’s plan — we’re part of their story.
📉 And Yet… the Reality Is Hard
The recent pricing changes don’t just challenge our business models — they challenge our values.
They create a push-pull between sustainable practice and heart-led work.
They make us question if it’s possible to return without burning out.
And that question — Can I afford to go back? — is no longer just financial. It’s emotional. Energetic. Personal.
🌿 Still, I Believe in the Work
Even if I’m unsure of when or how I’ll return, I know this:
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Our work matters
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The relationships we build matter
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The way we show up — with creativity, compassion, and deep respect — matters
No price cut can erase that.
💬 To Fellow OTs Wondering If It’s Worth It:
Your doubt is valid. Your fatigue is real.
But so is your impact. So is your presence. So is your ‘why.’
Whether you're returning, redefining, or resting — you are part of something bigger than the system. You're part of the legacy of children growing stronger, more confident, and more understood.
🧠 For Now, I’m Holding Both
The privilege of staying present with my baby — and the ache to keep doing the work I love.
The heartbreak of feeling undervalued — and the hope that we can change that.
Because maybe, someday, another young person will turn to you in a random moment and say:
“You were my OT.”
And in that moment, everything will make a little more sense again