ClickCease
02 7209 3838
[email protected]
Follow Us on Social:
Client Portal
talkshop-logo
MAKE A REFERRAL

Medicare Funding for Speech Pathology

Not sure if your child needs Speech Therapy? Book for a free 15 min Initial Consultation here.

02 7209 3838

FUNDING SOURCES

Accessing medicare funding for speech pathology can significantly reduce the cost of essential therapy. At Talkshop, we help families navigate the two primary Medicare pathways available in Australia:

  1. The Complex Neurodevelopmental Pathway (M10): A lifetime allocation of up to 8 Assessment and 20 Therapy sessions to help with a range of needs such as speech delays and disorders including stuttering, support for people with Autism or ADHD for social language and communication along with many other eligible conditions.

  2. The Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM): An annual allocation for ongoing support with rebates for 5 sessions per year.

Complex Neurodevelopmental Pathway (M10)

As of March 1, 2026, the Australian Government has expanded this pathway to include more conditions than ever before. This is now the most comprehensive form of medicare funding for speech pathology for children and young adults.

What is included?

This pathway provides a lifetime limit of rebated sessions to be used before the patient’s 25th birthday:

  • Up to 8 Assessment Sessions: To assist with diagnosis or treatment planning.

  • Up to 20 Treatment Sessions: For intensive, ongoing therapy.

Expanded 2026 Eligibility

You may be eligible for this pathway if you are under 25 and are suspected of having, or are diagnosed with:

How to access this pathway:

You need a referral from a GP, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist. They will refer you for the speech pathology assessments necessary to create a treatment plan. Once a treatment plan is in place, you can access the rebate for up to 20 therapy sessions.

  • The M10 Rebate: The current rebate is $87.25 per session.
Useful links:

Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM)

If you or your child has a ‘chronic’ condition (a condition that is present for a minimum of six months) requiring speech pathology, you may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM). This is a GP managed plan that provides a Medicare rebate for allied health services.

The CDM plan provides a maximum of 5 total rebates per calendar year for all allied health services. If you are accessing more than one type of allied health service, you are entitled to 5 rebates across all of the services combined, not 5 rebates per clinical service.

What is the limit?

The CDM plan provides a maximum of 5 total rebates per calendar year for all allied health services combined. For example, if you are seeing an Occupational Therapist (OT) and a Speech Pathologist, you share the 5 rebates between both services.

How do I access a CDM plan?

You need to visit your GP to have this discussion. Your GP will decide if your condition is “chronic” (present for a minimum of six months) and if you require a multidisciplinary approach (at least two health professionals).

Can I get a CDM for speech pathology?

Yes, speech pathology is an allied health service. If you need to access us along with one other service, you may be eligible.

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.

All Talkshop speech pathologists are registered as certified practising speech pathologists with Speech Pathology Australia, which means if you have a CDM plan you can claim with any of our clinicians

When can I use a CDM?

You can use a CDM at any time in the year. However, be mindful that the allocation of a rebate for 5 sessions renews each calendar year. If you dont use them you lose them.

Is my child eligible if they have delayed speech or language?

The eligibility conditions for a CDM are different to the Complex Neurodevelopmental Pathway. A GP must determine if the condition is chronic. For example, a child with a diagnosed hearing impairment due to glue-ear or repeated ear infections will clearly need a CDM. Some GPs may require an initial assessment report from us before they issue a CDM to understand the significance of the delay.

I have been referred to Talkshop on a CDM plan, how does it work?

You will need to provide us with your referral form. We will write back to your GP along with our assessment results and plan of intervention. You will be eligible to claim up to a maximum of five rebated sessions per calendar-year, provided that your GP has registered your plan through Medicare.

  • The CDM Rebate: The current rebate is $61.80 per session.

Useful links:

Claiming Your Rebate

All Talkshop speech pathologists are registered as Certified Practising Speech Pathologists with Speech Pathology Australia, meaning you can claim rebates with any of our clinicians at our Northern Beaches or Inner West clinics.

Therapy provided by Talkshop must be paid in full at the time of the appointment. You can then claim your rebate immediately:

  1. Express Plus Medicare App: Download the app for Apple or Android. Simply upload your receipt to your mobile device.

  2. Online: Claim through your MyGov account.

  3. In Person: Visit a Medicare service centre.

Note: Please update your bank account details with Medicare before submitting your claim to ensure a smooth payment.

Summary of Funding Options

Feature Complex Pathway (M10) Chronic Disease Plan (CDM)
Total Sessions Up to 28 (Lifetime) 5 (Per calendar year)
Rebate Amount $87.25 $61.80
Age Limit Under 25 No age limit
Best For Stuttering, SSD, Autism, Cleft Yearly top-ups, General delay

Which medicare funding for speech pathology is right for you?

If you are unsure which pathway applies to your family, our team can help. Use the links below to book a free initial consultation. This can be a useful time to ask questions about the nature of your needs. Our speech pathologists can help you figure out which medicare funding sources your needs are likely to work best for you and explain how you can talk to your GP about them.