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 Enhanced Primary Care 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 Enhanced Primary Care 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.

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.

Enhanced Primary Care Information