PSPAWA members work within the private health and education system to provide an alternative to government services which are often extremely busy and carry significant waiting lists.

Do I need a referral ?
A medical referral is not a requirement for assessment and treatment by a private Speech Pathologist, but is of course much appreciated.  Correspondence from other providers of services to the patient is also most welcome.

If a General Practitioner considers a client to have a “chronic” medical condition requiring more than one type of allied health intervention, the GP may provide a special referral under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management program.

How much do private Speech Pathology services cost ?
Fees set by providers are based on the type of service provided (e.g. assessment, therapy, report) and the duration of the session. If families are privately insured, they may receive a rebate, dependent on their level of cover. A Medicare rebate is available only if a person is referred under the Chronic Disease Management program.  Some people choose to consult a private practitioner even in the absence of private health insurance.

It is advisable the patients are aware of both the fees charged by a provider and their level of health cover, prior to making appointments. This will enable them to make a realistic assessment of the costs involved.

You may wonder about the cost of private speech services in terms of your family budget, and whether this is worthwhile in the long term. A recent study in the United Kingdom investigated the net  cost of Speech Pathology intervention in children with Autism, children with speech and language impairment (SLI), and adults with language impairment (Aphasia) or swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia) following a stroke.

Choosing a Speech Pathologist
Members of the PSPAWA work in a range of suburbs and settings and have different experiences and interest areas. You may consider asking the following questions when deciding which Speech Pathologist to contact.

• Do you need a Speech Pathologist with an interest in a particular field ?
• How far do you wish to travel ?
• Would you like the option of home, school or nursing home visits ?
• What does the service cost and is there a choice of payment options (e.g. cash, cheque or credit card facilities) ?
• What parking is available ?
• If you need access for a pram or wheelchair, is this available ?

It is acceptable to ask these questions before making an appointment with any Speech Pathologist who is a member of the PSPAWA.

How do you find a private Speech Pathologist ?
This website register is regularly updated by the PSPAWA. You can use our web site to find a Speech Pathologist by surname , suburb or caseload

Many are also listed in the Yellow Pages.

Speech Pathology Services Under Medicare