Therapy & Behaviour Support Fees
Therapy and Behaviour Support Fees
Our fees and the way in which we charge are important to ensuring we can provide the highest quality support to children, young people and families, now and into the future. The current pricing structure is aligned to the current NDIS pricing guide and reflects the professional work required to deliver effective and consistent therapy and behaviour support.
Our standard hourly rates for each therapy are as below:
| Allied Health Clinician | Hourly Rate |
| Occupational Therapist | $193.99 |
| Speech Pathologist | $193.99 |
| Physiotherapist | $183.99 |
| Behaviour Support Practitioner | $232.99 |
| Therapy Assistant – available for resource development and supporting group programs only | $86.79 |
Where to start
To begin your child’s therapy with Lifestart, you will be required to undertake two initial appointments so we can best understand how to empower your child to reach their full potential. These appointments are important in our assessment of your child’s needs and what support they may require. Please note that these sessions also incur indirect costs and/or travel fees.
1. Child and Family Introductory Session
Located in the home, in the community, or online, this 1.5 hour session in an initial appointment to get to know all about you and your child. We take time to build rapport with your child, learn about your family, understand what works well, and explore what you’d like us to support you and your child with.
During this session, we’ll work together, gather important background information, and make some initial observations of your child in everyday situations. This helps us build a shared understanding of your child’s strengths, interests, and support priorities, and ensures any next steps are guided by what matters most to your family.
2. Goal Setting and Family Support Plan Session
In this 1.5 hour online appointment, we work together to identify what outcomes you and your child want to focus on. We’ll explore your family’s values, priorities and goals, and make sure your child’s voice is included wherever possible.
Together, we’ll develop a Family Support Plan that clearly outlines goals, and we will make decisions on agreed strategies, and how support will be delivered — including the type of support, where it will happen, who will be involved, and how often sessions will occur. This plan helps ensure everyone is working toward the same outcomes and can be updated as your child and family grow and change.
3. School Engagement Process (if applicable)
This appointment is required to complete documentation and processes to engage with your school and set up an Engagement Agreement, including Consent forms, Schedule of Support, providing other documentation.
A School Induction may also be required and communication with your school must be made prior to your first therapy visit. The school engagement process is usually completed online – either via phone or email.
Please note, this appointment is only required if your child will be receiving therapies whilst at school.
Next steps
Once you and your child have completed the required initial appointments, your therapist will work with you to organise your core therapy and support sessions. In these sessions we assist you and your family’s journey by prioritising what’s important to you, working together to identify and achieve meaningful goals.
Core therapy and supports pricing
| Appointment type | Face‑to‑face time | Indirect time (Preparation, planning and documentation) | Total billed time | Total fee |
|
30 minute session **Please note this consult length is only available for sessions in clinic locations or online |
30 minutes | 15 minutes | 45 minutes | OT/Speech therapy = $145.49 Physio = $137.99 Behaviour Support = $174.74 |
| 50 minute session | 50 minutes | 25 minutes | 1 hr 15 min | OT/Speech therapy = $242.49 Physio = $229.99 Behaviour Support = $279.24 |
| 1 hour session | 1 hour | 30 minutes | 1 hr 30 min | OT/Speech therapy = $290.99 Physio = $275.99 Behaviour Support = $349.49 |
| 1.5 hour session | 1.5 hours | 40 minutes | 2 hr 10 min | OT/Speech therapy = $420.31 Physio = $398.65 Behaviour Support = $504.81 |
| 2 hour session | 2 hours | 50 minutes | 2 hr 50 min | OT/Speech therapy = $549.64 Physio = $521.31 Behaviour Support = $660.14 |
Early Childhood Education and Care and School visit pricing
| Appointment type | Face‑to‑face time | Indirect time (Preparation, planning, school processes, and documentation) | Total billed time | Total fee |
| 45 minute session | 45 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour 15 minutes | OT/Speech therapy = $242.49 Physio = $229.99 Behaviour Support = $279.24 |
| 1 hour session | 1 hour | 30 minutes | 1hour 30 minutes | OT/Speech therapy = $290.99 Physio = $275.99 Behaviour Support = $349.49 |
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a query you cannot find the answer to below, please ring 1800 953 390 and talk to one of our friendly team members.
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How do we charge?
Our fees are based on the time our clinicians spend supporting your child and family. This includes both face‑to‑face time and essential activities that happen outside of sessions, such as planning, coordination, communication, and report writing.
What is included in the pricing?
Therapy doesn’t begin and end when a session starts and finishes. Before and after each session, therapists spend time:
- preparing and planning therapy activities
- reviewing progress and goals
- completing required clinical documentation
- writing the session summary you receive
This applies to both face‑to‑face and online sessions and reflects the professional work required to deliver safe, effective and consistent therapy.
Are there any travel costs?
Many of our therapists work with children and families in homes, schools and community settings. To offer these services we charge a per‑kilometre mileage rate in line with NDIS rules. This is a 99c charge per kilometre and actual costs of tolls and parking.
This helps us continue seeing children where they live, learn and play.
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand that life happens, and we will continue to not charge when appointments are cancelled with 2 full business days’ notice.
If an appointment is cancelled with less notice, a cancellation fee will apply if our staff cannot replace this time with other paid work.