Speech Pathology and the NDIS: A Simple Guide for Parents

If you’ve just started exploring the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) for your child’s speech therapy needs, you’re not alone. Many families feel unsure about where to start, what their plan includes, and how to actually access the services their child needs. We’re here to help clear things up!

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is a national support system for people with disability in Australia. It helps eligible children and adults access the supports they need — including Speech Pathology — to reach their goals and participate more fully in everyday life.

How Do I Get Started with the NDIS?

If you're not on the NDIS yet:

Check eligibility at www.ndis.gov.au → planning meeting →access services

If eligible, you'll go through a planning meeting to discuss your child’s needs, strengths, and goals. Once you have an approved plan, you can start using it to access services — like speech therapy!

What Are the Different Types of NDIS Plans?

There are three ways your NDIS plan can be managed:

Plan Type	Who Manages Funds	Who You Can See
Agency Managed	NDIA	NDIS-registered providers only
Plan Managed	Plan Manager	Registered + non-registered providers
Self Managed	you	Any provider

Most families accessing speech therapy are either plan-managed or self-managed.

How Does Speech Pathology Fit In?

If your child has funding under “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living”, that’s where speech therapy comes in. We work on:

• Speech sound production

• Language development (understanding and using words and sentences)

• Social communication skills

• Early intervention

• Support for AAC (e.g., communication devices)

What About Assistive Technology?

If your child uses or needs tools to help them communicate — like a speech-generating device, iPad with a communication app (e.g., LAMP or Proloquo2Go), visual supports, or switches — the NDIS can provide funding for assistive technology (AT).

This may sit under:

• Core Supports (for low-cost AT like visual schedules or simple AAC tools), or

• Capital Supports – Assistive Technology (for higher-cost items like AAC devices)

Your speech pathologist can help identify what’s needed and write a report to support AT funding requests.

Who Do I Contact to Get Started?

• If you already have a plan: You can contact a speech pathologist directly (like us!) and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

• If you’re still in the application process: You can speak with your local Early Childhood Partner (for under 7s) or Local Area Coordinator (for 7+ years).

What If I Need Help Understanding My Plan?

That’s completely normal — it can be a lot to take in! Feel free to reach out to your:

• Plan Manager

• Support Coordinator

• Or contact us directly — we're happy to walk you through how to use your funding for speech therapy.

  
  

Set a Service Agreement 📝

Once you’re ready to begin therapy, we’ll set up a Service Agreement. This is a simple document that outlines:

• How often therapy sessions will take place

• The cost of services

• Cancellation and rescheduling arrangements

• When reports or progress updates will be provided

This helps ensure everything is clear and agreed upon from the start.

Need Support? We're Here to Help

Whether you're just getting started or ready to book in sessions, we can help you:

• Provide tailored speech therapy for your child’s needs

• Communicate with plan managers or support coordinators

📞 Get in touch today to learn more or to book your first session.