Medicare rebates are available for allied health services provided to children with Autism or any other Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or eligible disability. These services were introduced when the Helping Children With Autism (HCWA) and Better Start funding packages were introduced but were replaced with the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Medicare rebates are still available.

More information regarding eligible disabilities can be found here.

There are Medicare items available for assessment and diagnosis and can be accessed when:

• A child with Autism/PDD is aged under 13 years and referred by an eligible consultant psychiatrist or paediatrician; or
• A child with an eligible disability is aged under 13 years and referred by a specialist, consultant physician or GP

The treatment items can be accessed when:

• A child with Autism/PDD is aged under 15 years and a treatment/management plan has been put in place for them before their 13th birthday, and they have been referred by an eligible consultant psychiatrist or paediatrician
• A child with an eligible disability is aged under 15 years and a treatment and management plan has been put in place for them before their 13th birthday, and they have been referred by a specialist, consultant physician or GP

The allied health assessment and treatment services can be provided by a range of eligible allied health professionals including Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Psychologists. There are up to 20 allied health treatment sessions available to the child in total. Your GP can give you more information about the eligibility and referral requirements.