We understand that Speech Therapy can be ongoing for many families and often alongside other complex care needs. Inevitably this can become quite expensive for many families so we have compiled a list of federal and state level funding sources that may be able to help cover the cost of allied health services for children.
NDIS
Funding Package (What is Covered)
Elegibility Requirements
Amount Covered (Rebate)
NDIS Support for Ongoing Therapy
(Improved Daily Living)
For Speech Language Pathology services such as Assessment, Therapy and Reports. Includes Travel to clients home or school. Please note your plan must include the Improved Daily Living Category.
Have a diagnosed disability and be an approved NDIS Participant with an active NDIS Plan.
Contact your local LAC or ECEI partner for more information.
In Cairns, this is Mission Australia
The full cost of a speech therapy session is covered by the NDIS, so long as Improved Daily Living is included in you or your child's NDIS plan.
Medicare
Funding Package (What is Covered)
Elegibility Requirements
Amount Covered (Rebate)
Medicare Rebates for 4 Assessment and 20 Therapy Sessions (ASD Only)
For Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology.
Children between 0-13 years of age once in a childs lifetime.
Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Rhett’s Disorder).
Rebate of $74.80 per session from Medicare.
Medicare Rebates for 4 Assessment and 20 Therapy Sessions
For Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology.
Children between 0-13 years of age once in a childs lifetime.
Diagnosed with a number of disabilities including; Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf-blindness, and a number of syndromes including Prader Willi Syndrome, Williams Syndrome or Microcephaly.
Rebate of $74.80 per session from Medicare.
Department of Social Services (DSS)
Funding Package (What is Covered)
Elegibility Requirements
Amount Covered (Rebate)
Helping Children With Autism (HCWA)
Fully funded payments for Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology sessions and recommended resources.
Aged 0-6 who are not yet at school.
Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Rhett’s Disorder).
$12,000 in total funding, with up to $6,000 to be spent per financial year and up to $2,100 of that may be spent on resources per financial year.
Better Start for Children with a Disability Initiative (BSI).
Fully funded payments for Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology sessions and recommended resources.
Aged 0-6 who are not yet at school.
Diagnosed with a number of disabilities including; Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf-blindness, and a number of syndromes including Prader Willi Syndrome, Williams Syndrome or Microcephaly.
$12,000 in total funding, with up to $6,000 to be spent per financial year and up to $2,100 of that may be spent on resources per financial year.
Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA)
Funding Package (What is Covered)
Elegibility Requirements
Amount Covered (Rebate)
Dependents of Cardholders with Gold (DVA) Card
Fully Funded payments for Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology sessions.
Any dependents of cardholders who currently hold a Gold Department of Veterans Affairs cards.
Fully Funded Speech Therapy Services.
Dependents of Cardholders with White (DVA) Card
Fully Funded payments for Occupational Therapy and/or Speech and Language Pathology sessions in some circumstances.
Any dependents of cardholders who currently hold a White Department of Veterans Affairs cards.
Full Cost Covered in Some Circumstances.
Amount Covered (Rebate)
Private Health Insurance
Funding Package (What is Covered)
Elegibility Requirements
Private Health Cover with Extras
(Subject to the health fund)
Speech Pathology/Therapy Services included in the list of optional extras.
Have a active private health insurance with extras.
Typically, up to $800 covered per calendar year.