Regional Australians face a unique challenge when it comes to autism support—geographical isolation compounds every setback.

The removal of NDIS funding for neurofeedback creates an especially harsh impact in regional areas, where alternative therapy options are already limited. Families in these communities often travel hours for specialist appointments, making the loss of an effective at-home treatment like neurofeedback particularly devastating. The reality of regional healthcare means fewer providers, longer waitlists, and fewer alternatives.

When neurofeedback funding disappears, regional families lose more than just a treatment option.

They lose one of the few therapies that worked within the constraints of regional living. Neurofeedback’s ability to be administered at home made it uniquely valuable for families far from major centres. Now, these families face impossible choices between relocating, spending hours travelling for alternative therapies, or watching their loved ones go without needed support.

The urban-rural divide in autism care grows wider with each funding cut.

While city-based families might find alternative providers or private options, regional families often have no backup plan. The NDIS decision overlooks how neurofeedback helped bridge the geographical gap in service delivery, providing equal access to effective treatment regardless of location.

Regional Australians deserve equal access to life-changing treatments, not further barriers to care.

We must restore neurofeedback funding to ensure regional families aren’t forced to choose between their community and their loved ones’ development. The geographical challenges of regional living shouldn’t determine access to effective autism support.