Medicare Expansion
If your child has a formal diagnosis, they may be eligible to claim a limited number of rebated sessions with allied health professionals, including Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists.
This funding aims to ease the financial load of private therapy, helping children access early support at a critical stage of their development. As of the 1st March 2026 the government has expanded the medicare access for speech pathology services by adding new conditions to the MBS M10 Item group also known as HCWA – Complex neurodevelopmental conditions & eligible disabilities.
New Eligible conditions
The expansion now includes;
- Stuttering
- Speech sound disorders (articulation/phonological disorders, childhood Apraxia of speech & dysarthria)
- Cleft lip/Palate
What does this mean for your child
If your child has a diagnoses of the above conditions your child is able to claim a lifetime total:
- Up to 8 assessment sessions
- Up to 20 treatment sessions
How can I access
these sessions
If you’d like to access these sessions you can do so by getting a referral from your GP. Bring your referral to your first Chatterbox appointment as well as your Medicare and EFTPOS card. Therapy is paid in full on the day and we’ll process your rebate on the spot. We’ll manage the Medicare reporting requirements and send progress updates to your referring doctor
What is the
medicare Rebate
As of February 2026, the standard Medicare Rebate for these M10 items is $87.25 per session. On the spot claiming is available at Chatterbox for eligible appointments.
Please note: Chatterbox charges a small admin fee for services delivered under this program to cover the additional Medicare reporting requirements. You’ll be notified of this when booking.
Using your sessions
Once you have a valid referral:
- Your child can access up to 8 assessment sessions and 20 therapy sessions in total
- Services do not renew each year. Once used, they cannot be claimed again.
- Sessions must be delivered by eligible allied health professionals
- Services can be split across different providers or used with a single clinician
- Services must be claimed before your child turns 15 (with the referral written before their 13th birthday).
- You can’t use private health insurance or other funding options to pay the gap.
For more information please contact your clinic or
speak to your therapist at your next session!
speak to your therapist at your next session!