FAQ - Accessing our Services

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No you do not need a referral to access private speech pathology services. You will, however, need a doctor’s referral if you are planning to claim a rebate through Medicare (see below).

Our fees are based on the type of service we provide and the time that we spend with you. We offer a range of services including assessments, reviews, treatment sessions, reporting and programming. These services will be tailored to your individual needs, please contact our team for further information.

Private health insurance funds generally include Speech Pathology in their “extras” or “ancillary” cover options, so you may be eligible for rebates depending on the level of coverage you have. The amount that will be paid varies from fund to fund, and for the type of service claimed, so you will need to contact your health fund directly to determine the rebates you will receive.

You may also be eligible for rebates for up to five (5) appointments per calendar year, through the Medicare Allied Health Initiative. Your doctor will need to complete a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Program before you attend Speech Pathology. You will be required to pay for your Speech Pathology services at the time of your appointment, and then you will be able to claim the benefit through Medicare by accessing MyGov. 

All children are different. They have different areas of difficulty and learn at different paces so we are unable to predict how long each child will require therapy for. Most of our therapy appointments are offered on a weekly basis, although fortnightly or monthly appointments are also available. The number of appointments required will vary depending on the nature and severity of the communication difficulties identified, the client’s “stimulability” for correct productions (that is, how easy it is to achieve the therapy targets correctly), and the amount and quality of practice done between therapy appointments. It’s important to remember that Speech Therapy is not a ‘quick fix’ and it usually takes a number of months or even years to make significant progress.

Check out our Developmental Milestones in the FAQ to see what your child should be doing at each age. If you are concerned your child is not able to do all the items they may need to see a Speech Pathologist. It’s never too early to ask a question or seek advice. Feel free to telephone us to discuss your concerns, and we will be happy to provide obligation free advice about whether an assessment and/or treatment may be warranted, or whether monitoring only is required. 

As a general rule, Speech Pathology may be beneficial if:

• you or others have difficulty understanding your child’s speech
• your child has difficulty following instructions or understanding new information
• you often have to repeat or rephrase information and/or instructions for your child
• your child’s vocabulary and/or ability to form sentences and tell stories is not as great as other children of the same age
• your child stutters
• your child speaks very loudly, very softly, or with a harsh or husky voice
• your child is not keeping up with school work or has below average reading and spelling skills
• your child has difficulty communicating appropriately in social settings

Click here to contact the Magical Speech team