Speech Pathology Service Fee Schedule

Effective Date: 26/05/2025

1. Key Details

(a) "Provider"/"We"/"Us"/"Everyone Can Communicate" refers to:

  • The business "Everyone Can Communicate," operating under the sole trader name Sarah Jean Howell (ABN 75 720 515 865)

  • The participant's assigned therapist at Everyone Can Communicate

(b) "Participant"/"Client" refers to:

  • The person accessing the speech pathology services

  • The individual receiving support for their speech pathology needs

  • The person whose details are provided in the Service Agreement or related forms

2. Everyone Can Communicate's Speech Pathology Services:

Everyone Can Communicate offers speech pathology services, delivered by a Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) registered speech pathologist. Services are specifically tailored to the participant's needs in collaboration with their therapist. Service delivery methods may include telehealth, in-home, at school, or other community locations.

If our therapists at Everyone Can Communicate do not have the specific expertise to support the participant's needs, we may suggest seeking assistance and/or services from another provider who can better address the participant's support needs/requirements. If the participant chooses to work with another provider whilst continuing to see their therapist at Everyone Can Communicate, please inform their Everyone Can Communicate therapist so they can collaborate with the other speech pathologist if/where needed.

For more information on our services, areas of expertise, and appointment options, please visit the Everyone Can Communicate website.

3.Outline of Services and Costs

All services are billed at the NDIS speech pathology rate of $193.99 per hour, in line with the current NDIS price guide.

Note on Service Costs: 

The costs outlined below are based on the NDIS price guide at the time of this agreement. These prices may change with future updates to the guide. This fee schedule outlines the service costs at this time, and may adjust according to any updates that may occur to the NDIS price guide or Everyone Can Communicate's company policies. Current client's of Everyone Can Communicate will be notified via email of any price changes in advance.
 

Services Provided by Everyone Can Communicate

APPOINTMENT COSTS

Speech Pathology Appointment - single appointments - (Face-to-Face or Telehealth)

  • $193.99 per appointment

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • 45 minutes direct assessment/therapy

  • 15 minutes non-direct time for case notes/planning

  • An additional 5-minute window for a potential post-appointment discussion with caregivers, teachers, SSOs, support workers, or other providers who were not present in the appointment. This may cover the appointment details, overall progress, or general recommendations (if appropriate and needed). If longer discussions are required, additional appointments will need to be scheduled.

  • Travel charges apply for in person appointments

Speech Pathology Appointment - double appointments - (Face-to-Face or Telehealth)

  • $339.48 per appointment

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • 90 minutes direct assessment/therapy

  • 15 minutes non-direct time for case notes/planning

  • An additional 5-minute window for a potential post-appointment discussion with caregivers, teachers, SSOs, support workers, or other providers who were not present in the appointment. This may cover the appointment details, overall progress, or general recommendations (if appropriate and needed). If longer discussions are required, additional appointments will need to be scheduled.

  • Travel charges apply for in person appointments

  • Note: Non-direct time and charges will vary depending on the nature of the appointment.

Speech Pathology Appointment - triple appointments - (Face-to-Face or Telehealth)

  • $484.98 per appointment

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • 135 minutes direct assessment/therapy

  • 15 minutes non-direct time for case notes/planning

  • An additional 5-minute window for a potential post-appointment discussion with caregivers, teachers, SSOs, support workers, or other providers who were not present in the appointment. This may cover the appointment details, overall progress, or general recommendations (if appropriate and needed). If longer discussions are required, additional appointments will need to be scheduled.

  • Travel charges apply for in person appointments

  • Note: Non-direct time and charges will vary depending on the nature of the appointment.

NOTE: Double and triple appointments can be booked for one participant or shared between siblings (the amount quote above is the fees when the double or triple appointment is booked for one participant). In shared appointments, each child/adult/participant will be billed for 45 minutes of direct therapy plus 15 minutes of non-direct time, and will receive therapy/assessment in back-to-back or joint appointments (where appropriate). These appointments are designed to help families book multiple siblings with the same therapist at Everyone Can Communicate.

TRAVEL COSTS

  • $3.23 per minute / $193.99per hour for return travel to the appointment location

  • Specific fees depend on the location of the in person service being provided

  • Maximum Travel Charge: To receive a personalised quote for the maximum travel costs the participant may incur for in-person services at specific locations relevant to them (e.g., their home or day program), please contact us directly at finance@everyonecancommunicate.com.au

  • Travel costs are calculated per the NDIS price guide.

  • Travel costs apply to all in-person appointments and cover the journey to and from the appointment location.

  • Travel fees may be shared between other participants seen on the same day, this may result in the travel charges varying per appointment.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

THERAPY PLANS/YEARLY GOAL REVIEW APPOINTMENTS

  • $80.83 - $193.99 per appointment
    Time charged for the appointment will range from 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the discussion required. 
    A 45-minute time slot will be allocated, but only the actual time will be charged.

  • Includes: 

    • 10-45minute discussion appointment with a relevant stakeholders (participant, caregiver, support worker, teacher, etc.) to specifically discuss the past year's therapy, and review/set new/ongoing goals for ongoing services.

    • 15 minutes non-direct time for case notes/planning

  • Format options for appointment:

    • In person

    • Phone call

    • Video call

  • Travel charges apply for in person appointments.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • Note: A yearly goal review appointment should be scheduled at least once per year for each participant to monitor progress and update goals.

REPORTS

Assessment Report

  • Prices are based on individual needs:

    • 2 support areas: $387.98

    • 3 support areas: $581.97

    • 4 support areas: $775.96

    • 5 support areas: $969.95

    • +$193.99 if home/school recommendations are required (These recommendations include specific strategies that can be used and applied outside of therapy, at home/school/etc, to enhance skill development and communication)

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • Note 1: Support areas refer to the assessed practice areas (e.g., language, speech, AAC, literacy, social communication). The report's scope and cost depend on the number of areas assessed, unless you request a focused report on only specific areas.

  • Note 2: Our assessment reports can be used for NDIS end-of-plan review meetings (if completed within the current NDIS plan period), helping to reduce the cost of writing an additional progress report.

Progress Report

  • Prices are based on individual needs:

    • Review of goals and progress during NDIS plan period: $581.97

    • +$193.99 if home/school recommendations are required

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • Note: If we have written an assessment report for you during the current NDIS plan period, you can use it for your NDIS end-of-plan review meeting, helping to reduce costs. If no report has been completed this NDIS plan period (assessment or progress), you will need to book either a progress or new assessment report to support your NDIS funding advocacy, demonstrate how the funding was used, and assist with your end-of-plan review.

Quarterly or Bi-Annual or Annual Summary Reports about Therapy Services

  • $193.99 per hour

  • Fees will vary based on the complexity and amount of support that has been provided during the reporting period.

  • Includes:

    • Summary of therapy provided (goals targeted, skills achieved, progress observed, etc.)

    • Overview of strategies supporting the participant's communication skills

    • Information on the participant's engagement in appointments/services

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • Note: These reports will not include NDIS funding recommendations. Please request a progress or assessment report if you need NDIS funding recommendations included.

AAC Recommendations - Low-Cost AAC (under $15,000)

  • Based on individual needs

    • $387.98 for an AAC recommendation letter (includes AAC device recommendation for NDIS funding approval, no trials).

    • $775.96 for an AAC recommendation letter (includes AAC device recommendation for NDIS funding approval, and information regarding AAC comparison trials completed). Trial organisation and set up costs for AAC devices are billed separately, refer to the AAC Support section.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

AAC Recommendations - High-Cost AAC (over $15,000)

  • $1,939.90 for an AAC recommendation letter that includes:

  • Includes:

    • Details of the AAC comparison trials completed

    • Device recommendation for NDIS funding approval

    • Completion of NDIS AT recommendation/request forms.

  • Trial organisation and set up costs for AAC devices are billed separately, refer to the AAC Support section.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

AAC SUPPORT

  • Based on individual needs - charged at $193.99 per hour

  • Specific fees depend on the complexity of the device/s that are needed based on the individual's specific needs.

  • Includes help with organising AAC trials and setting up devices outside of appointments (charged in addition to appointment fees).

  • A quote will be provided prior to engaging in this support.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

OTHER NON-DIRECT COSTS & SERVICES

Scoring and Analysis of Assessments

  • Charged per assessment, in addition to appointment fees.

    • Speech/Literacy Assessment: $48.50

    • Language Assessment (Expressive/Receptive/Social Communication): $97

    • AAC Assessment: $97

  • If multiple assessments are completed, analysis time will be charged for each assessment, regardless of how many appointments are required to complete it.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

  • Note: Assessments are completed at the speech pathologist's discretion to monitor progress and guide ongoing therapy. Assessments can be completed at any point during the therapy process, not just during initial appointments or when preparing reports.

Phone/Email Correspondence

  • Phone calls:
    $3.23 per minute / $193.99 per hour

  • Emails:
    Billed at a minimum of $32.33 per email, longer emails will be charged at a higher rate

  • Applies to work completed by the participant's therapist outside of appointments, including phone calls and email communication with the participant, their caregivers, or their care team/stakeholders.

  • This does not include correspondence with the admin team via admin@everyonecancommunicate.com.au or finance@everyonecancommunicate.com.au.

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

Resource Development

  • Based on individual needs - charged at $3.23 per minute / $193.99 per hour 

  • Specific fees depend on the complexity and costs of resources being developed.

  • Includes creating personalised materials (e.g., low tech AAC, visuals, social stories, individualised speech sound cards, etc).

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills OR Core Supports: Assistance with Daily Living

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS AND TRAININGS

Care Team Meetings

  • Based on individual needs - charged at $3.23 per minute / $193.99 per hour 

  • Specific fees depend on the length of the care team meeting

  • Includes: actual time of the care team meeting, plus 15 minutes for non-direct time (case notes/planning). 

  • Applies to meetings with teachers, schools, other providers, support workers, family members, child safety officers, guardians, etc.

  • Travel charges apply if attending the meeting in person.

  • Cancellation policy applies

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

Training

  • Based on individual needs - charged at $3.23 per minute / $193.99 per hour 

  • Specific fees depend on the length of the training and resources needed to prepare and deliver the training

  • Includes:

    • development of individualised training materials

    • real time spent completing/hosting the training

    • +15 minutes charged for non-direct time following the completion of the training for case notes/planning.

  • Training may involve family, support workers, SSOs, teachers, or other relevant people in the participant's life.

  • Travel charges apply if hosting the training in person.

  • A quote will be provided prior to engaging in this support.

  • Cancellation policy applies

  • NDIS funding budget: Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living Skills

 

4. Consent for Charges Related to Quality Care:

Please note that the above list outlines the costs for the various services offered by Everyone Can Communicate. Non-direct services will either be billed at the therapist’s discretion or only with your consent. Please refer to the list below to see which services fall under each category.

The following supports will be charged at the therapist's discretion as they occur:

  • Scoring and analysis of assessments 

  • Phone calls between the therapist and the participant or their stakeholders (e.g., family, caregivers, teachers, school staff, other health professionals)

  • Email correspondence between the therapist and the participant or their stakeholders (e.g., family, caregivers, teachers, school staff, other health professionals)

  • Therapy plans

  • Personalised resource development (e.g., small AAC resources, communication visuals, social stories, etc) billed at $193.99 or less

  • Reports or brief summaries billed at $193.99 or less

The following supports require additional consent before charges are incurred:

  • Personalised resource development (e.g., AAC supports, communication visuals, social stories, etc) needing to be billed at more than $193.99 

  • Reports/Letters/Summaries needing to be billed at more than $193.99

  • AAC support

In the participant's signed service agreement, they (or their caregiver) will/have indicated whether they consent to the therapist charging for these services without requiring a quote beforehand or if they prefer to receive a quote first. The options are:

  • I consent, and allow the therapist to charge for these supports without the need for a quote to be provided in advance.

  • I do not consent, and would like to receive a quote for these activities before any charges are applied, so I can approve the costs and discuss them prior to services being provided.

5. Payment Details

Payment Method for Speech Pathology Supports:

  • NDIS (Self or Plan Managed): Payment will be made through NDIS funding.

  • Privately Paying/Self Funded: Payment will be made privately by the participant or their caregiver.

Responsibilities of the Participant or Caregiver:

  • It is the responsibility of the participant or their caregiver to monitor the participant's NDIS funding to ensure services can be covered.

Options When NDIS Funding is Low or Exhausted:

  • Request a Report: A report can be requested that outlines services and recommendations for additional funding.

  • Pause or Pay Privately: If NDIS funding runs out, the participant/the participant's caregiver can choose to either pause services or continue privately at their own cost.

Important Notes:

  • If NDIS funding is exhausted and appointments are still scheduled, the participant or caregiver is responsible for paying privately for any remaining services (in the case that these are not cancelled with prior notice).

  • Cancellation Policy: No cancellation fee will be charged if appointments are cancelled with 3 or more business days' notice. We advise that participants cancel their ongoing appointments/services promptly if they do not wish to continue services after funding is exhausted.

6. Feedback & Complaints

(a) If you have any concerns with the terms of this fee schedule, including the supports being provided to or anticipated to be provided to a/the participant, please contact us to discuss these concerns and we will attempt to resolve them. You can:

  • (i) contact us via our website page 'contact us' and complete our feedback and complaints form