How to Access Developmental Support and Funding for Your Child (Australia, 2025–2026)

If you’re looking for developmental delay support in Perth and Australia wide for 2025-2026, you’re not alone. Many parents worry about their child’s speech, behaviour, or overall development but aren’t sure what help is available or how to access it. In this post, I’ll walk you through the real support options I know are available in WA for 2025/2026, in plain language, without the overwhelm.

I know how overwhelming it can feel to work out where to go next. Many parents I speak to are told to “wait and see,” without being clearly told what support options already exist, or how those options are changing.

I want to walk you through the real, practical pathways you can access in Perth right now, in plain language, no panic, no pressure, just information you deserve to have.

 

Free hearing checks for speech delay through Child Health in Perth

One of the first things I always want ruled out when a child isn’t talking as expected is hearing. And this often surprises parents:

Some WA Child Health clinics now offer tympanometry.

This is:

• A quick check of middle-ear function (things like fluid or glue ear)
• It’s Free
• Available at select clinics
• Often not offered unless you specifically ask

It’s not a full hearing test, and it doesn’t replace seeing an audiologist ,  but it is a helpful screening step that can either reassure you or flag that further checks are needed.

You can ask your local Child Health Service clinic whether they offer tympanometry.

https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Child-Health-Service

Not sure if your child’s language is on track?

Take the free Online Speechie Language Check-In to find out if your child’s talking is on track – takes just 10 minutes.

 

Child Development Services (Perth): How to self-refer without a GP

This is something many parents are relieved to hear:

You can self-refer your child to Child Development Services.

You don’t need a referral from a professional such as a GP, child health nurse or teacher. 

You don’t need a diagnosis.

Through the Child Development Service, your child may be assessed and/or supported by:

• Speech pathologists
• Occupational therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Developmental paediatricians
• Psychologists
• ENT pathways (if needed)

A few honest things I want you to know:

• This is a free public service, so waitlists can be long
• Some children receive assessment only, others short-term therapy

For many parents, this is the only public multidisciplinary option outside NDIS ,  and it’s worth knowing it exists.

https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Child-Development-Service  

 

 

Using a GP Medicare plan for speech therapy, OT and allied health

You might have heard about a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan through your GP, but I want to be very clear about what it does, and doesn’t, offer.

A CDM plan through Medicare can give your child:

• Up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year
• 5 sessions total, not per therapy type
• These sessions are partially rebated, not bulk billed.

Those sessions can be shared across:

• Speech pathology
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy

This is not ongoing therapy, and it won’t replace NDIS or public services. Where I see it used best is:

• Getting started
• Bridging long waitlists
• Accessing some support when NDIS isn’t available

Your GP can talk you through whether your child meets the criteria. Usually your child will be if they either have a significant delay in one developmental domain (e.g. communication, motor, social interaction,  or have been managed by at least two allied health disciplines. The referral is at the discretion of your child’s treating doctor/GP. 

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/chronic-disease-management-plans 

 

 

NDIS early childhood changes (ECEI ending, Thrive Kids from 2026)

I also want you to be aware of a major system change that’s coming ,  not to alarm you, but so you’re informed.

The NDIS is phasing out the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) pathway. In its place, a new program called Thrive Kids is scheduled to begin in July 2026.

What we know so far:

• Thrive Kids aims to support more children overall
• Support is expected to be more time-limited
• Funding is likely to be less individualised
• The pathway into NDIS is expected to be tighter

For children who need support from more than one discipline (for example, speech therapy and OT and psychology), this shift may make access more difficult in the future.

If your child is currently in ECEI, or you’re considering assessment now, it’s important to understand that access may look very different after 2026.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis

https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-programs-services-thrive-kids

 

Why some new NDIS plans feel harder to use

Another change parents often notice ,  but aren’t always warned about ,  is how new NDIS plans are structured.

More plans are being:

• Allocated weekly, rather than flexibly across the year

This can make it harder to:

• Front-load assessments
• See multiple providers
• Access short blocks of intensive support

For children with more complex needs, this can feel very tight very quickly.

 

Autism (ASD) assessments: Medicare rebates, NDIS funding, and what to expect

This is something I want to be very clear about, because it catches a lot of parents off guard.

If you’re considering an autism assessment for your child, the only way to access a Medicare rebate is through a paediatrician-led referral pathway.

At the moment:

• Medicare rebates for ASD assessments are linked to a paediatrician referral
• The assessment itself cannot be funded using your child’s NDIS plan
• Even if your child already has NDIS funding, that funding cannot be used to pay for the diagnostic assessment

This often surprises parents, especially when they’ve already been navigating therapy, waitlists, and funding systems.

In practice, this usually means:

• Your GP refers you to a paediatrician
• The paediatrician coordinates or refers for the autism assessment
• Medicare rebates apply to specific assessment items
• The diagnostic process sits outside NDIS funding

NDIS funding, if approved, comes after diagnosis,  it doesn’t pay for the assessment itself.

This doesn’t mean private assessment is your only option, and it doesn’t mean you have to rush,  but it does mean the referral pathway matters if you want to access Medicare rebates.

If you want a clear, step-by-step explanation of how autism assessments actually work, who can diagnose, and what public and private options you have,

I’ve written a full breakdown here:

👉 Read more here: ASD Assessment & Referral Pathways (WA)

My goal with sharing this isn’t to overwhelm you, it’s to make sure you’re not finding this out after you’ve already waited months or paid out of pocket unnecessarily.

If you’re wondering whether an assessment is needed, when to pursue one, or how to sequence supports alongside it, that’s a conversation worth having,  and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.

 

FAQs: Accessing support and funding for your child (Australia)

Can I access support for my child without an NDIS plan?

Yes. There are several pathways outside NDIS, including Child Development Services, Medicare CDM plans, and private therapy. Many children receive support without ever being on the NDIS, especially for speech delay or milder developmental differences.

Does Medicare pay for speech therapy or occupational therapy?

Medicare can contribute through a GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, which provides up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year total (not per discipline). These sessions are partially rebated and are often best used to get started or bridge waitlists.

Can the NDIS fund an autism assessment?

No. Even if your child already has NDIS funding, the autism diagnostic assessment itself cannot be paid for using an NDIS plan. Medicare rebates are only available through a paediatrician-led referral pathway.

Do I need a diagnosis to access Child Development Services?

No. You can self-refer to Child Development Services without a diagnosis and without a GP referral. Access is based on your child’s developmental needs and service capacity.

Should I wait and see, or start accessing support now?

If you’re worried, it’s okay to start asking questions and accessing early checks now. Early screening and support don’t lock you into a diagnosis — they simply give you more information and options.

 

 

 

What I want you to take away from all of this

If you’re worried about your child, I want you to know this:

You’re not imagining it.

You’re not overreacting.

And you’re not “doing it wrong” by wanting answers.

Right now:

• Free and public options do exist, but you often have to know to ask
• Early checks can rule things in or out and reduce uncertainty
• Self-referral pathways matter
• CDM plans can help, but they’re limited
• Access to funding-based supports is tightening, not expanding

This isn’t about rushing into labels or services.

It’s about making sure you have clear information early, so you can make the choices that feel right for your child and your family.