Funding Types
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS is a Federal Government funding scheme to assist individuals aged 65-years and under diagnosed with a disability or chronic health conditions. To receive funding, you must be assessed to determine your eligibility.
Useful links:
NDIS Access Checklist: https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-access-checklist
NDIS Contact Number: 1800 800 110
Medicare
If you are referred by a GP under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you or your child may be eligible for a Medicare rebate ($61.80 per session) for up to 5 allied health services per calendar year.
A CDM referral form is needed for your GP to complete. Your GP will decide if you are eligible for these services and will refer you accordingly.
From 1 March 2026, Medicare has expanded access to speech pathology services for children and young people with certain communication conditions.
Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) M10 allied health items, children and young adults with cleft lip and/or palate are now recognised as having an eligible disability. This means families may be able to access additional Medicare rebates for speech pathology assessment and treatment with a referral from their GP or paediatrician.
Our most common co-providers are audiology, ear nose & throat (ENT) and occupational therapy (OT). If you are already seeing one of these health professionals, you are likely to be eligible for a GP CDM plan.
Private Health Insurance
Depending on your policy and extras cover, you may be eligible to claim Speech pathology services through your private health insurance.
You will see these item numbers if you have the appropriate cover:
320 is the item number for a Speech Pathology Assessment.
340 is the item number for a Speech Pathology therapy consultation.
Check with your health insurance to see if your specific level of cover entitles you to a rebate.
Paying for Therapy: FAQs for Families
Can I use Medicare for therapy?
Yes — you can use a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM/EPC) for speech, OT, psychology (with MHCP), and some allied health sessions. Your GP can advise if your child is eligible.
Is play therapy covered by Medicare?
Not at the moment. There are no Medicare rebates for play therapy.
Do you accept NDIS funding?
Yes — for self-managed and plan-managed plans. We provide invoices and assist with documentation.
Can I claim private health insurance?
Yes — if your extras cover speech, OT, psychology, or feeding therapy. Each fund is different, so check your cover.
What if I don’t have funding?
You can still access therapy as a private-paying client. No referral needed — just contact us to book.
We hope these FAQs help clarify our services and put your mind at ease. Our team at Blackburn Speech & Paediatric Therapy is here to support your child and family in every step, whether you’re navigating bilingual language development or helping a picky eater, whether it’s in our clinic or at your home in Blackburn, Box Hill, or surrounding areas. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions – no question is too small. We’re here to help!
Our team is here to support you. Check out Our Team!
We want therapy to be accessible for all families. Our clinic accepts Medicare plans (CDM/EPC), private health insurance, and NDIS self-managed or plan-managed funding. We’ll help you understand which options your child may be eligible for, how to claim rebates, and what your out-of-pocket costs may be. Whether you’re new to funding pathways or already have a plan in place, our team is here to guide you step-by-step so you can focus on your child’s progress. Families from Blackburn, Box Hill, Doncaster, and surrounding suburbs are welcome.