Early intervention for children in Australia

Fees depend on the service, the provider and the length of the session. Ask each provider for their fees before the first visit.

The NDIS early childhood approach covers children younger than 6 with a developmental delay, or younger than 9 with a disability. Medicare pays a rebate for some speech therapy and OT sessions when your GP writes a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and a referral first.

Thriving Kids started in October 2026 for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism. It gives information and two phone lines: the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline (1300 654 789) and a child health nurse line (1800 882 436). From 1 January 2028, children aged 8 and under who apply for NDIS support will be assessed against new criteria. Children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs will no longer be eligible for the NDIS. Thriving Kids will support them.

If your child has an NDIS plan that includes these supports, you can use it. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you can also use providers that are not NDIS registered. If the NDIA manages your plan, you must use registered providers.

• NDIS price limit

  $193.99 an hour

  Speech pathology and OT, 2026–27. Psychology: $252.99.

• Medicare rebate

  $63.40 a session

  Up to 5 sessions a year in total with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.

Note: NDIS price limits are the national maximums for NDIA-managed and plan-managed plans (NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27); remote areas have higher limits. Medicare rebates are from MBS Online, 1 July 2026. Providers can charge more than the rebate. Assessment fees come from provider websites in April 2026.