Your child may be eligible for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if their needs significantly impact their daily functioning. The NDIS can provide funding for ongoing therapy supports where appropriate. Further information about eligibility and the application process can be found at www.ndis.gov.au.

1. Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP) / Team Care Arrangement (TCA)
If your child has a condition that is expected to last 6 months or longer, your GP may be able to prepare a Chronic Condition Management Plan.

This allows the GP to refer your child to allied health professionals (including speech pathology). Under this plan, you get up to 5 Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year, shared across all allied health providers involved in the plan.

Sessions are paid for at the time of the appointment, and you can then claim the Medicare rebate back from Medicare.

2. Medicare M10 – Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder Assessment and Support
There is an additional Medicare pathway called M10, which allows GPs or paediatricians to refer children for allied health assessment and therapy related to diagnosed or suspected developmental conditions. This means that the child doesn't necessarily have to have a diagnosis, just be suspected of having one. 

This pathway has recently been expanded to now include speech sound disorders, stuttering, and cleft lip and palate items, meaning speech pathologists can provide assessment and intervention under this pathway when referred appropriately by the GP or paediatrician. 

This pathway can give up to 8 assessment appointments, and 20 intervention appointments in total.

Some families may be able to access rebates for speech pathology services through their private health insurance, depending on their level of extras cover.

If you have extras cover that includes speech pathology, you may be eligible to claim a portion of the session fee back after each appointment. The rebate amount and number of sessions covered will vary between providers and individual policies.

It is recommended that you check with your health fund prior to commencing services to confirm your level of cover, rebate amount, and any annual limits.

Payment is required at the time of the appointment, and a receipt will be provided for you to submit to your health fund for reimbursement.