NDIS Funding for Speech Pathology

NDIS funding for Speech Pathology: What’s covered?

The NDIS is a Federal Government funding scheme that can help people with disabilities access the services they need to live a full and independent life. Speech pathology services are one of the many services that can be funded by the NDIS. To receive funding, you must be assessed to determine your eligibility. The amount of funding that you receive for speech pathology services will depend on your individual circumstances. The NDIS will consider your age, your disability, and your goals when determining the amount of funding.

1. Be an Australian resident aged 65 years or under
2. Have a permanent or long-term disability that affects your communication, swallowing, or eating skills.
3. Usually you need support from a person or equipment to do everyday things for yourself because of an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent. For example, you usually need support from a person or assistive equipment so you can:
   1. understand and be understood by other people
   2. make and keep friends and cope with feelings and emotions
   3. understand, remember and learn new things
   4. do daily jobs, handle money and make decisions
4. Need some support now to reduce your support needs in the future. To meet the NDIS early intervention rules, you need to:
   1. have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong); or
   2. be a child under 6 with a developmental delay and the delay means you usually need more help with your self-care, communication, learning or motor skills than another child of the same age.

The NDIS can fund a range of speech pathology services, including:

1. Assessment: A speech pathologist will assess your communication, swallowing, or eating skills to determine your needs.
2. Therapy: The speech pathologist will provide you with therapy to improve your skills. This may involve exercises, activities, or strategies.
3. Equipment: The speech pathologist may recommend that you use equipment, such as a speech generating device or a swallowing aid.
4. Travel: If you need to travel to see a speech pathologist, the NDIS may cover the cost of travel.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about NDIS speech pathology services:

1. The NDIS can only fund speech pathology services that are considered to be “reasonable and necessary” to help you achieve your goals.
2. The NDIS may not cover all of the costs of speech pathology services. You may need to contribute some of the costs yourself.
3. The NDIS can only fund speech pathology services that are provided by a registered NDIS provider.
4. If you have any questions about NDIS speech pathology services, you should contact your local NDIA office or a registered speech pathologist.

Here are some Booklets you can download to help you understand more about NDIS and how to access the support:

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

NDIS website:https://www.ndis.gov.au/
NDIS Access Checklist: https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-access-checklist
Speech Pathology Australia: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/
NDIS Helpline: 1800 800 110