If your child needs speech therapy, there is now an additional way to access Medicare rebates.
Medicare has expanded one of its existing funding pathways so that more children and young people can now receive rebates for speech therapy. If your child has stuttering, a speech sound disorder, or a cleft lip and/or palate, they may now be eligible for a higher Medicare rebate for speech pathology assessment and treatment.
For many Northern Beaches families, this creates a practical new funding option.
Let’s break it down clearly.
What Has Changed With Medicare for Speech Therapy?
Medicare has expanded its existing allied health funding pathway (known as the M10 item group) to now include:
-
Stuttering
-
Speech sound disorders – such as difficulty saying certain sounds clearly, persistent sound patterns, childhood apraxia of speech or dysarthria
-
Cleft lip and/or palate
This is not a brand-new Medicare program. It is an expansion of an existing pathway so that children with these speech conditions can now access rebates for speech pathology.
If your child has ongoing difficulty being understood, persistent sound errors, or a stutter that is not resolving, this pathway may now apply.
Who Is Eligible for Medicare Rebates for Speech Therapy?
Your child may be eligible if they:
- Are under 25 years of age
- Have a Medicare card
- Are not admitted to hospital
- Have a referral from a GP, consultant physician or specialist
- Are suspected of, or diagnosed with, one of the eligible conditions listed above
If you are searching for speech therapy on the Northern Beaches, this Medicare expansion may reduce the cost of assessment and treatment.
How Many Speech Therapy Sessions Does Medicare Cover?
Under the expanded Medicare M10 pathway, your child may access:
- Up to 8 assessment sessions over their lifetime
- Up to 20 treatment sessions over their lifetime
Assessment Sessions
- Maximum of 8 sessions in total
- Up to 4 sessions per allied health discipline
For example, your child might use 4 speech pathology assessment sessions and 4 occupational therapy sessions if that is clinically appropriate.
Treatment Sessions
- Maximum of 20 sessions in total
- Delivered in two blocks of 10 therapy sessions
- A GP review is required between blocks of therapy/treatment
These sessions can be accessed at any time before your child turns 25.
If your child needs ongoing speech therapy, this can provide meaningful financial support across a structured course of treatment.
What Is the Medicare Rebate for Your Child’s Speech Therapy?
The current Medicare rebate under this pathway is $87.25 per eligible session.(as at March 2026)
For in-clinic speech pathology services, the main Medicare item numbers include:
-
82005 – Speech pathology assessment
-
82020 – Speech pathology treatment
Telehealth items are also available where clinically appropriate. However, many families prefer in-person speech therapy sessions, particularly for younger children or where detailed speech sound assessment is required.
In private speech pathology practices, clinicians set their own fees and Medicare provides a fixed rebate amount. This means there may still be some out-of-pocket costs.
That said, the higher rebate available under this pathway – compared with a standard GP Chronic Condition Management Plan – can significantly reduce the overall cost of therapy when your child requires multiple sessions.
How Is This Different From a Chronic Condition Management Plan?
Many families are familiar with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (CCMP).
A CCMP allows:
- Up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year
- A rebate currently around $61.80 per session (as at March 2026)
The expanded Medicare speech therapy pathway differs because:
It has specific eligibility criteria
- It provides a higher rebate per session
- It allows up to 8 assessment sessions and 20 treatment sessions over a lifetime
- It does not require a Chronic Condition Management Plan
If your child meets eligibility criteria for both, it may be possible to access both pathways, although not for the same session on the same day.
For children who need comprehensive speech assessment and ongoing therapy, the M10 pathway may offer greater financial support.
How Do You Access Medicare Rebates for Your Child’s Speech Therapy?
The process is straightforward.
Step 1 – Book an Appointment With Your GP
Discuss your concerns about your child’s speech, including possible stuttering, speech sound disorder or cleft-related speech differences.
Step 2 – Request a Referral Under the Eligible Disabilities Pathway
Your GP may make the diagnosis themselves or refer your child for speech pathology assessment.
Step 3 – Attend Speech Pathology Assessment
Your child’s speech will be assessed and a clear written summary will be provided for your GP’s review and next steps.
Step 4 – GP Referral for Treatment Sessions
Treatment is typically approved in blocks of 10 treatment sessions.
Step 5 – Continue Therapy if Needed
After the first 10 speech therapy sessions, you may return to your GP to access the remaining sessions if appropriate.
At Kids First Children’s Services, our speech pathologists can provide written information to support your GP visit and guide you through the process.
What This Means for Your Child
Speech therapy is often most effective when it begins early. When stuttering or speech sound difficulties are addressed sooner rather than later, your child is more likely to be understood, join in confidently at preschool or school, and develop the communication skills that support learning and friendships.
-
Clarity of speech
-
Confidence in the classroom
-
Participation with peers
-
Early literacy development
For families in Brookvale and across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this Medicare expansion means:
-
An additional funding pathway for speech therapy
-
A higher rebate per session than a standard GP plan
-
Reduced financial pressure across multiple sessions
-
A clear and structured process
If cost has been one of the reasons you have delayed speech therapy, it may be worth speaking with your GP about whether your child now qualifies for Medicare rebates under this pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Rebates for Your Child’s Speech Therapy
Can my child get a Medicare rebate for speech therapy?
If your child is under 25 and has stuttering, a speech sound disorder or cleft lip and/or palate – or is suspected of having one of these conditions – they may be eligible with a GP referral.
How much money will Medicare refund for speech therapy?
The current rebate (as at March 2026) is $87.25 per eligible session under this expanded Medicare pathway. There may still be some out-of-pocket costs depending on the provider’s fees.
How many sessions can my child claim?
Your child may access up to 8 assessment sessions and 20 treatment sessions over their lifetime under this Medicare pathway.
Is this available in-person on the Northern Beaches?
Yes. Families seeking in-clinic speech therapy in Brookvale and across the Northern Beaches can access Medicare rebates through private speech pathology practices that provide Medicare-funded services.
At Kids First Children’s Services in Brookvale, our speech pathologists provide in-person assessment and treatment for stuttering, articulation disorders, phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech and cleft-related speech differences. We work closely with local GPs to ensure families understand their Medicare funding options.
If you’re unsure whether this Medicare pathway applies to your child, our team can help you understand your options and what to discuss with your GP. You’re welcome to contact our Brookvale clinic and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Call us on (02) 9938 5419 or make an online inquiry here
