No, you don’t need a referral to book an appointment with us. However, if you are accessing speech therapy services rebates through Medicare (e.g., with a Chronic Disease Management Plan) or funding like the NDIS, a referral may be required.

Our fees vary depending on the type and duration of the session. Please contact us directly for our current fee schedule. Payment is required on the day of your appointment, and we accept EFTPOS, credit card, bank transfer, Medicare, private health insurance, and self-managed NDIS.

Medicare speech therapy: If you are eligible, you may claim a benefit through Medicare with a referral from your GP. It is important to note that Medicare benefits do not cover the full appointment fee.

How does it work?

You are required to pay the full fee on the day of your appointment, you will receive a receipt and then the rebate will be paid when this receipt is presented to Medicare. The out-of-pocket expense will count towards the Medicare safety net. See: Information regarding the Medicare safety net.

Below is a list of available Medicare items:

Chronic Conditions Management:

• Eligible patients may access rebates for up to 5 sessions (across all relevant allied health disciplines)
• To access these rebates for allied health, patients must have a GP Management Plan and Team Care arrangement in place
• Eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients may access rebates for up to 10 sessions (across all relevant allied health disciplines)
• Further information is available here: Item 10970 | Medicare Benefits Schedule

Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Disability Services

• Eligible patients aged under 25 years may access a total of 8 allied health services, with a maximum of 4 by any one allied health discipline to:
• (i)   assist the eligible medical practitioner with diagnostic formulation where the patient has a suspected complex neurodevelopmental disorder or eligible disability; or
• (ii)  contribute to the patient’s treatment and management plan developed by the referring eligible medical practitioner where a complex neurodevelopmental disorder (such as autism spectrum disorder) or eligible disability is confirmed
• From 1 March 2026, new and amended listings include the addition of stuttering, speech sound disorder and cleft lip and palate to the list of eligible disabilities under the M10 item group of the MBS. 
• Further information is available here: Item 82005 | Medicare Benefits Schedule

Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Disability Services

• Available to patients under 25 years
• Up to 8 total allied health sessions, with a maximum of 4 per discipline
• For assessment or treatment planning of conditions like autism spectrum disorder, speech sound disorder, stuttering, and cleft lip/palate
• From 1 March 2026, expanded eligibility includes these specific conditions.
  More info: Item 82005 | Medicare Benefits Schedule

The length of therapy varies based on your goals, needs, and progress. Some clients attend for a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll regularly review your progress and adjust your therapy plan as needed. Many clients attend weekly, and therapy blocks may be offered during school terms with breaks in between.

Assessment

Your initial assessment appointment/s involve getting to know you or your child and your individual goals and needs. This involves a combination of the following assessment means which is then analysed and documented in an assessment report which forms the basis of your individualised therapy plan.

A thorough case history is taken including birth and development history, previous medical history, key people in life and other health professionals involved in care. You will be provided a link to a case history form prior to the session which will facilitate gathering this infomation.

• Oro-motor examination: an assessment of structure and function of different parts of the mouth and throat
• Screening assessment: this is a short assessment to determine if further comprehensive assessments are requried.
• Informal assessment: this may be play based or conversational depending on age and includes gathering and analysing information in a natural context, which is an important part of the assessment process. 
• Formal assessment: standardised tests are used where appropriate to guide diagnoses and support therapy planning and can be norm-referenced (standardised scores based on a reference group of similar peers) or criterion-referenced (individuals measured against a set of criteria)
• Dynamic assessment: this is an interactive evaluation, focusing on learning potential, strengths and challenges.
• Collaborative goal setting: working with you, we set goals for therapy based on your individual needs, this may target challenges directly related to an area of difficulty identified, as well as goals focused on activities of challenge, participating in things in life, supporting the environment and the people you interact with, ensuring a holistic approach.
• Baseline measures are used to track your progress against.

Therapy
A range of therapy activities are used to work on your individualised therapy goals.

Therapy activities will vary depending on the age, goals, and individual needs.  To get the most out of your therapy sessions, you may need to complete therapy activities/practice between your sessions. This will be discussed in the goal setting and therapy planning phase to work in with your lifestyle and needs. Therapy sessions can vary, with some being play based and informal and others being more structured, the approach will be tailored to meet your individual needs.

Yes! Greenlights Therapies offers flexible options, including in-clinic appointments at our Cairns or Sandy Bay location, telehealth sessions, community-based visits, including mobile speech therapy home-visits and nature-based therapies. Suitability will be discussed for sessions outside the clinic and travel fees apply.

Nature based therapies, incorporate the benefits of nature into therapy sessions. Benefits of nature-based therapies include supporting emotional regulation, relaxation, sparking curiosity or stimulation through the natural environment.

In speech therapy this could involve:

• Bringing aspects of nature into an indoor therapy session – such as things found in nature/garden, or sand play
• Conducting traditional therapy sessions outside, such as articulation therapy outside at a park or using a communication board in a playground
• Using nature as a stimulation and tool for therapy – for example a nature scavenger hunt for language development

Suitability can be discussed as part of the assessment and therapy planning process

Yes, you may be eligible for rebates through your private health or insurance fund. You need to contact your private health or insurance provider to determine eligibility, all fees must be paid on the day of service and you will be provided with a reciept which you can claim a rebate through your private health fund. 

You can’t claim a Medicare rebate or use NDIS funds for the same session as claiming a private health fund rebate.

Yes, we can offer services to NDIS participants who are self-managed, we are not registered providers with the NDIS. For more information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme please visit: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

We require advance notice of 2 clear business days (48hrs) for short-notice appointment cancellations in order to avoid a cancellation session fee of 100%.

We provide speech therapy for all ages, including toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults.
Learn more on our services pages:
Kids Speech Pathology

Communication Therapy For Adults