Speech pathology

NDIS Capacity Building support

Speech pathologists assess and treat difficulties with speaking, understanding, communication, and with eating and swallowing.

The short answer

Speech pathologists assess and treat difficulties with speaking, understanding, communication, and with eating and swallowing. They work with people of all ages.

About Speech pathology

Communication and swallowing are complex skills. Speech pathologists help children learning to talk, people who stutter, adults recovering from stroke, people with communication disability who use devices and people with difficulty eating or drinking safely.

An assessment looks at how you communicate or swallow and what is getting in the way. Therapy may involve exercises, strategies, working with family and carers, setting up communication systems and giving advice on safe eating. Speech pathologists often work with other professionals, such as dietitians and occupational therapists.

Look for a speech pathologist who is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist through Speech Pathology Australia, and ask about experience with your situation. Sessions can be at a clinic, at home, at school or by video.

Who is this service for?

People, including children, with difficulty speaking, understanding, communicating, eating or swallowing.

What a typical session looks like

A speech pathology session starts with an assessment or a review of progress. The speech pathologist may play, talk, use pictures or apps, or watch you eat and drink, depending on your needs. They assess how you speak, understand language, communicate with others or swallow, and explain what they find.

Therapy is practical and often fun, particularly for children. It might involve exercises for speech sounds, strategies for understanding and using language, work on voice or fluency, or training in using a communication device. For swallowing difficulties, the speech pathologist gives advice on safe ways of eating and drinking. Home practice is a large part of progress.

Who delivers this support

Speech pathologists have university degrees and are members of Speech Pathology Australia, which sets standards for practice. Many specialise in areas such as child language, stuttering, voice, swallowing or augmentative communication. Ask about experience in your area of need, and whether they can work in your home, school or workplace.

How to choose a provider

• Ask whether they are a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist.
• Check their experience with your age group and needs.
• Ask how they involve family and other supporters.
• Find out where sessions can take place.
• Ask how they set goals and review progress.

Questions to ask a provider

• What experience do you have with my area of need or with my age group?
• What will the assessment involve, and what will happen afterwards?
• How will you involve family, teachers or support workers?
• What home practice will be involved?
• Can you see me at home, school or work?
• How will we measure progress?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting to see whether a child will grow out of a speech or language difficulty.
• Not doing the practice between sessions.
• Ignoring signs of swallowing problems such as coughing when eating.
• Not sharing strategies with the people around the person.
• Not asking about communication devices when speech is very hard.

Getting started

1. Note the difficulties you or your child have.
2. Contact speech pathologists and describe your situation.
3. Book an assessment and ask what it involves.
4. Practise the strategies between sessions.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Speech pathology works with occupational therapists, psychologists, teachers, dietitians and doctors. For communication difficulties, it links with communication equipment and training for family and support workers. For swallowing difficulties, it works with dietitians and nurses. Keeping everyone informed of the strategies helps the person use them everywhere.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Speech pathology if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Speech pathology is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Speech pathology that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Therapy services providers on the NDIS register

10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing therapy services

• 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
• 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
• 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
• 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
• 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC

See all 10,460 therapy services providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (3,918)
• Victoria (2,645)
• Queensland (2,122)
• South Australia (967)
• Western Australia (833)
• Tasmania (251)
• Australian Capital Territory (234)
• Northern Territory (155)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (576)
• Melbourne, VIC (354)
• Sydney, NSW (338)
• Central Coast, NSW (262)
• Parramatta, NSW (198)
• Perth, WA (188)
• Adelaide, SA (186)
• Blacktown, NSW (180)
• Liverpool, NSW (168)
• Campbelltown, NSW (160)
• Ipswich, QLD (154)
• Canberra, ACT (153)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Physihome - 316 areas
• Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
• Aligned Assist - 184 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
• Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
• Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
• Number 1 Care Provider - 134 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Study and learning skills
• Support Connection (Level 1)
• Support Coordination (Level 2)
• Supported employment

Frequently asked questions

What does a speech pathologist do?

A speech pathologist assesses and treats difficulties with speaking, understanding, communication, and with eating and swallowing.

Do speech pathologists only work with children?

No. They work with people of all ages, for example adults after stroke or with a communication disability, as well as children with developmental needs.

How do I find a qualified speech pathologist?

Look for someone who is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist through Speech Pathology Australia, and ask about their experience with your situation.

Do I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?

Often not, though check with the practice.

Can speech pathology help with eating and swallowing?

Yes. Speech pathologists assess and treat swallowing difficulties.

Can it help adults?

Yes. They work with adults after stroke, brain injury and with many conditions.

What does a speech pathologist treat?

They treat difficulties with speech, language, voice, fluency, communication and swallowing, in both children and adults.

When should I take my child to a speech pathologist?

If you are concerned about your child's speech or language, or if others do not understand them, an assessment is a good idea. Early support often makes a difference.

Can speech pathology help with swallowing problems?

Yes. Speech pathologists assess swallowing and advise on safer ways to eat and drink, often in partnership with doctors and dietitians.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Speech pathology?

If Speech pathology is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Speech pathology provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory