Speech Pathology in New South Wales & Queensland

Speech Pathology is the Allied Health profession focused on the assessment and management of communication, language, speech, voice, fluency, and swallowing difficulties across all ages — from toddlers to older adults. All CAHC Speech Pathologists are members of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the peak professional body for the profession in Australia. SPA membership is the recognised professional standard required for NDIS, Medicare, and DVA billing as a Speech Pathologist.

The breadth of the profession is significant: the same discipline that supports a toddler with language delay, a school-aged child with dyslexia, and an adolescent who stutters also supports an adult recovering from stroke, an elderly person with swallowing difficulties, and a professional with a voice disorder. At CAHC, this breadth is strengthened by our multi-disciplinary structure — Speech Pathologists work alongside Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, Psychologists, and Dietitians, which is particularly relevant for aged care, NDIS, and stroke rehabilitation patients who benefit from coordinated care across disciplines.

Speech Pathologists assess and manage difficulties with communication, language, speech, voice, fluency, and swallowing — across children and adults of all ages. In a paediatric context, this might mean supporting a toddler with language delay, a school-aged child with literacy difficulties, or a child with autism who uses AAC to communicate. In an adult context, it might mean helping a stroke survivor regain communication, assessing and managing swallowing difficulties in an elderly patient, or supporting a person with Parkinson’s disease to maintain their voice. All CAHC Speech Pathologists are members of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), and our team works closely with Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Exercise Physiologists, and Dietitians across CAHC’s multi-disciplinary network.

Signs that may indicate your child could benefit from Speech Pathology include: delayed first words or sentences compared with age-based expectations, difficulty being understood by familiar and unfamiliar listeners, frustration during communication, feeding or swallowing difficulties, difficulty with phonological awareness or early literacy skills, or concerns raised by a teacher or childcare educator. You do not need to wait until a concern becomes significant — early assessment is generally more helpful than waiting, and it gives you information either way. Speak with your GP if you would like a referral for a Medicare CDM-funded assessment, or contact CAHC directly for a private appointment without a referral.

Dysphagia is the clinical term for difficulty or discomfort with swallowing — it can affect how safely and comfortably a person eats, drinks, and takes medication. It can arise from a wide range of causes including stroke, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or MND, head and neck cancer, ageing, or surgery. Dysphagia affects both the safety of eating and drinking and quality of daily life. CAHC Speech Pathologists conduct clinical swallowing assessments and develop individualised management plans in consultation with the patient and their treating team. Common referral sources include GPs, Neurologists, Geriatricians, and aged care facility managers.

No — anyone can book a private Speech Pathology appointment at CAHC without a GP referral. A GP referral under a Chronic Disease Management plan is required to access the Medicare rebate for eligible chronic conditions (up to five sessions per calendar year). NDIS participants do not need a GP referral but should confirm funding arrangements with their Support Coordinator before booking. DVA patients require a D904 referral form from their treating doctor. Contact your nearest CAHC clinic if you are unsure which pathway applies to your situation.

Yes. Speech Pathology is funded under NDIS Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living (therapy supports) for both children and adults. NDIS funding can cover communication therapy, AAC assessment and prescription, functional communication goals, and progress reports for plan reviews. CAHC is an NDIS-registered provider. Eligibility depends on your individual NDIS plan goals — speak with your Support Coordinator or contact us to confirm. NDIS Services.

Yes. CAHC offers Speech Pathology via telehealth as well as in person at our clinics. Medicare CDM and NDIS both support telehealth Speech Pathology sessions, so funded clients can access their sessions in either format. Telehealth is particularly useful for paediatric clients in areas with limited local access, NDIS participants who prefer home-based sessions, and adults with mobility difficulties or post-stroke fatigue. For a telehealth session, you need a device with a camera, a private space, and a stable internet connection. For paediatric telehealth, a parent or caregiver participates actively in the session alongside the child.

Under a GP Chronic Disease Management plan, Medicare covers up to five individual Allied Health sessions per calendar year for eligible patients with a chronic condition of six or more months’ duration. A gap payment may apply depending on the clinic’s fees. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

Yes. CAHC Speech Pathologists support children and adults with ASD in developing communication, social communication, and functional language skills. This includes working on verbal communication, non-verbal communication, and AAC for people who benefit from alternative communication methods. For formal ASD diagnosis, speak with your GP about a referral to a Paediatrician or a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team — formal diagnosis is not conducted by Speech Pathologists, but the communication assessment and therapy they provide is an important part of supporting people with ASD. NDIS funding is available for eligible participants. Eligibility depends on your individual NDIS plan goals.

AAC refers to the range of communication methods and tools used by people who have difficulty using speech as their primary mode of communication. This ranges from low-tech options such as picture boards and communication books through to high-tech speech-generating devices and apps. CAHC Speech Pathologists can assess a person’s AAC needs, trial and recommend appropriate systems, and provide written reports for NDIS-funded AAC prescription. AAC is available for both children and adults. NDIS eligibility for AAC depends on your individual plan goals — speak with your Support Coordinator or contact CAHC directly.

Yes. Stroke is one of the most common reasons adults see a Speech Pathologist. A stroke may affect speech (dysarthria — difficulty controlling the muscles used for speaking), language (aphasia — difficulty with speaking, understanding, reading, and/or writing), or swallowing (dysphagia), or a combination of all three. CAHC Speech Pathologists support stroke survivors in their rehabilitation across all of these areas. Sessions are available in clinic, via telehealth, and via home visits for patients who cannot easily attend a clinic. Home Visits

CAHC has Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese-speaking Speech Pathologists available across our network. Please confirm current language availability with your nearest clinic when booking, as individual practitioners vary by location. For languages not available within our team, CAHC can arrange access to the TIS National interpreter service. Language access is particularly important for bilingual and multilingual families with paediatric clients, and for adult patients with acquired communication difficulties who communicate most comfortably in their first language.

Yes. CAHC offers home visits for Speech Pathology, which are particularly relevant for aged care clients, NDIS participants, and post-stroke adults who are unable to attend a clinic. Home visits are available across NSW & Queensland. Please contact your nearest CAHC clinic to confirm home visit availability for Speech Pathology in your area, as coverage varies by location. Home Visits

There is no minimum age — Speech Pathologists can work with infants experiencing feeding difficulties and toddlers with very early communication concerns. If you have a question about your child’s communication or feeding at any age, it is worth speaking with your GP or contacting a Speech Pathologist directly. Early assessment provides useful information regardless of the outcome, and early support — where it is recommended — is generally more effective than waiting. There is no need to wait until a concern is “serious enough.” Parents who contact us with questions are encouraged to do so — even an initial conversation can be helpful.