Fees, Referrals, and Rebates, Subsidies and Funded Programs

At Taking Flight Speech, Language and Literacy, we understand that asking about fees over the phone can be intimidating. That's why we believe in being transparent about our fees. There are no hidden or additional costs - just high-quality assessment and treatment.

Current fee schedule (as of November 2024)

We currently charge:

  • $193.99 per hour for all telehealth and face-to-face clients in NDIS Modified Monash Model (MMM) 1-5 Areas (metro, regional and rural areas)

  • $271.59 per hour for face-to-face clients in NDIS MMM6 Areas (remote areas, including those reclassified by NDIS e.g., Broken Hill).

  • The above rates are for all direct face-to-face consultations, report writing and indirect consultations, such as:

    • Planning time for your session

    • Developing a personalised session plan

    • Creating customised resources and activities for home practice

    • Coordinating with other health and education professionals involved

    • Providing detailed written session summaries (case notes)

    • Handling other administrative tasks, such as phone consultations and Medicare correspondence.

Travel fees (as of November 2024)

The intended service location for in-person home, school or community settings is within a 10km radius of Williamstown, Melbourne. Travel outside of this radius is negotiated, and the client is informed prior to it being charged.

Travel TO a client or BETWEEN (non-labour costs) clients are one-way and are apportioned i.e., split between clients on that clinical service day. Rest assure that clients are purposely grouped to minimize travel costs! This means your travel costs are typically lower than the maximums prescribed below (at consultation rate of $193.99 per hour):

  • Maximum 30 minutes one-way (equates to a maximum of $97.00 (nearest cent) in MMM1-3 areas (most participants fall into this MMM area, as it includes major cities, inner regional and some outer regional)

  • Maximum 60 minutes one-way (equates to a maximum of $193.99) in Regional MMM4-5 areas

  • In Remote (MMM6) and Very Remote (MMM7) areas, specific arrangements with participants to cover travel costs, up to the relevant hourly rate for the support item, are on an individual basis and by request. 

These charges will be further defined in your service agreement signed prior to your first consultation.

Cancellation of an appointment

If it is necessary to cancel your scheduled appointment, we require that you call us at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations made with more than 2 full business days before a session: will not incur a cancellation fee. 

Cancellations made with less than 2 full business days before a session, yet a session can be rescheduled within that week: will not incur a cancellation fee.

Cancellations made with less than 2 full business days’ notice and the appointment cannot be rescheduled: will incur a fee of 100% of the session fee.

Again, these charges will be further defined in your service agreement signed prior to your first consultation.

Referrals

You do not need a referral to see us. You can self-refer by completing appropriate intake or service request forms, calling or emailing us to make an appointment.

If you have a referral from your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist under a government rebate system, you may be able to receive a rebate for our services.

Potential rebates, subsidies and funded programs

Here are some potential sources of rebates, subsidies and funded programs to make payment a little easier on the pocket:

  • If you are referred by a GP under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you or your child may be eligible for a Medicare rebate ($60.35 as of July 2024) on up to 5 allied health services per calendar year. Clients eligible for a CDM plan (formerly Enhanced Primary Care plan) usually require multidisciplinary, team-based care from a GP and at least two other health or care providers.

  • Speech pathology services may be eligible for claims through your private health insurance. The extent of your cover depends on the type of policy and extras you select. Various limits may apply, such as per-service limits, annual limits, or lifetime limits. Check with your private health insurer for more details.

  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

    The National Disability Insurance Scheme may be available for those with developmental delays or disabilities. The NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach is available to all children aged under 7 with a developmental delay or disability. Depending on your situation, the NDIS can cover the cost of many allied health services.

    Taking Flight Speech, Language and Literacy is able to provide services to self-managed or plan-managed NDIS clients.

  • Our national peak body, Speech Pathology Australia, has some further information for you to consider: Fees, rebates and funded programs