Funding Options
- NDIS -
Sound Beginnings Allied Health can see NDIS clients who have self-managed funds or plan-managed funds.
Self Managed NDIS Funding
Families pay the invoice directly after each appointment and then claim the cost back from the NDIS through their portal.
Plan Managed NDIS Funding
Invoices are sent to your plan manager after each appointment. The plan manager pays the invoice on your behalf using your NDIS therapy budget.
NDIS Budget
Families are responsible for ensuring they have enough funds available in their NDIS budget to cover therapy costs. We are not able to monitor or manage NDIS funds.
If you are looking to apply for NDIS funding, you can start the process here: https://www.benevolent.org.au/referrals/ndis-eca-support-referral
- Private Health Funds -
Please speak to your private health fund to check whether your policy includes rebates for Speech Pathology and/or Lactation Consultant services.
You can contact your health fund and quote the common private health Speech Therapy item codes we use to find out what rebate you may receive: 320, 340, 350 and 380.
- Medicare Rebates -
There are two Medicare pathways that speech pathology can be claimed under:
- Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP) and
- M10 items for eligible neurodevelopmental conditions or disabilities.
Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP)
The Chronic Condition Management Plan provides Medicare rebates for allied health services for children who have a chronic medical condition. Your GP will decide if your child is eligible and will complete the CCMP referral form. The referral is valid for 12 months, although the rebates themselves are tied to the calendar year.
Families can claim up to 5 Medicare rebates per calendar year. The current rebate is approximately $60 per appointment.
You cannot claim both Medicare and private health insurance for the same appointment.
Medicare M10 benefits
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) has updated the M10 items, which were previously known as the Helping Children with Autism and Better Start items. These items now sit under the group titled Services for complex neurodevelopmental conditions and eligible disabilities.
From 1 March 2026, the eligibility for M10 items expanded to include stuttering, speech sound disorders, and cleft lip and/or palate. This means that eligible children can now access Medicare‑rebated assessment and therapy for these conditions.
Children under 13 years of age may be referred by their GP or Paediatrician for up to 8 assessment sessions to support diagnosis and up to 20 therapy sessions across their lifetime. The current rebate is approximately $80 per appointment.
Medicare Safety Net
If you have reached your Medicare Safety Net for the year, you might be able to claim a higher rebate from Medicare (approximately 80% of the cost of your appointment).