Paying for therapy shouldn’t be another thing to work out on your own
Most families who come to The Bridge Effect in Northmead use some form of funding to help with the cost of speech therapy or occupational therapy — and most aren’t sure which one applies to them when they first call. This page walks through the three main pathways: NDIS, Medicare, and private health insurance.
If you don’t know where you fit yet, that’s completely normal. Tell us your situation and we’ll help you work it out.
Every family’s situation is different. Some use an NDIS plan, some use a Medicare referral from their GP or paediatrician, some claim through private health extras — and plenty use a combination across the year.
You don’t need funding in place to book. You’re welcome to start with an assessment and sort the funding side out alongside it — our client care team can talk you through what’s likely to apply.
Most families fall into one of the situations below. Find the line that sounds like you and start there.
Last reviewed: 10 September 2026. Funding rules, rebate amounts and session limits are set by government and by individual health funds and change from time to time. Please confirm your own entitlements with Services Australia, the NDIS or your fund.
Wherever you are in Western Sydney, our clinic is at 7/185 Briens Road, Northmead NSW 2152. See the areas we serve.
No. You can book an assessment at any time and pay privately, then look at funding afterwards. Medicare and private health rebates are a contribution towards the fee rather than a booking requirement, and you don’t need a referral to see us.
No. Where a Medicare rebate is claimed for an appointment, you can’t also claim the gap from your private health fund for that same appointment. You can use one pathway for some sessions and the other for others across the year — just keep an eye on your fund’s annual limits.
Not for the same appointment. Medicare and NDIS cannot both be claimed for a single session. Some families use each for different services across the year, but every individual appointment is funded one way only.
Not to book with us. A referral is only required if you want to claim a Medicare rebate, and the type of referral depends on which Medicare pathway applies — our Medicare page explains each one.
Usually not. Medicare rebates and private health extras generally cover part of the fee, with a gap payable by you. NDIS funding is drawn from your child’s plan at our published rates. Our client care team can give you current fees and the likely out-of-pocket cost before you book.
Tell us a little about your child and how you’re hoping to fund therapy, and our client care team will point you to the right pathway. No referral needed to have the conversation.
Call 9037 1163 or visit us at 7/185 Briens Road, Northmead NSW 2152.
