10/03/2026
đź“Ł A Medicare update we want our families to know about.
From the 1st of March, there has been an expansion to Medicare funding for children and young people under 15 who need speech therapy. Because this change has only just come in, many families (and even some GPs) may not have heard about it yet.
For some children, this could help reduce the cost of accessing speech therapy.
This pathway may apply to children who are experiencing things like:ďż˝
• Stuttering�
• Ongoing difficulty being understood�
• Persistent speech sound errors�
• Childhood apraxia of speech or dysarthria�
• Speech differences related to cleft lip and/or palate
For eligible children and young people, Medicare may now cover:ďż˝
✔️ Up to 8 assessment sessions�
✔️ Up to 20 therapy sessions�
✔️ $87.25 rebate per eligible session (current as of March 2026)
That’s more sessions and a higher rebate than many families realise may be available.
Clear speech plays such a big role in a child’s everyday life. When children can be understood more easily, it helps them share their ideas, join conversations, connect with peers and participate more confidently at kindy, school and in the community.
If cost has been a barrier to seeking support, this update may be worth discussing with your GP, as not everyone will meet the eligibility criteria.
We’re sharing this simply so our families have the information 💛
