Our Process

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 You don’t always need a formalised referral to see a speech pathologist—clients can self-refer or be referred by a healthcare provider. Here are the different ways to get started:

• Self-Referral – You or a family member can book an appointment directly.
• GP Referral – Some Medicare rebates (e.g., Chronic Disease Management Plan) require a referral from your doctor.
• NDIS Referral – If you have an NDIS plan, your support coordinator or therapist can assist with referrals
• School/Teacher Referral – Educators may recommend speech therapy for school-aged children who need support.
• Other Health Professionals – Occupational therapists, psychologists, and paediatricians may refer clients for speech therapy as part of a broader care plan.

If you're interested in our services, getting started is easy! Simply complete our referral form, available under the 'Forms' section. This form helps us gather all the necessary details to support your needs.  If you have any questions or need assistance along the way, don't hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

To provide the most effective support, it's essential to understand you or your family member’s communication abilities and developmental progress. An initial assessment helps us identify any areas of difficulty, so we can tailor a therapy plan to meet specific needs. Without this information, we cannot plan therapy sessions effectively to ensure you or your family member receives the necessary help and

support in the areas required. If you have previously engaged with a Speech Pathologist and your assessment was conducted within the last 6 months, we may be able to use existing assessment results to inform your treatment plan.

 At Nova Speech Clinic, we work with individuals of all ages with a variety of communication and/or swallowing challenges. Depending on the nature of the difficulty, the type and duration of the assessment required will vary. Some assessments may take only one hour, while others may take up to three hours. However, to ensure the best results, we limit each session to no more than one hour at a time for young children or those with complex communication needs, understanding that fatigue or loss of focus can affect the quality of the assessment.

When you contact us to book an appointment, we will ask a few questions to help us determine the most appropriate assessment package based on you or your family member's needs. Our pricing guide lists the services we offer. In some cases, a combination of assessments may be necessary (such as a comprehensive communication and swallowing assessment), which may require a longer session.

Following the assessment, we will carefully review the results and prepare a detailed report. This report will include:

• Analysis of Results: An analysis of formal and informal results. 
• Summary of Findings: An overview of the strengths and challenges identified.
• Recommendations: Suggested next steps, which may include therapy options, further assessments, or other resources aligned with evidence-based practices.
• Plan of Action: Based on the assessment results, we'll outline a plan tailored to your needs or your family member's needs.

If therapy is recommended, we’ll work with you to create a personalised treatment plan and schedule follow-up sessions. We believe in open communication and will be available to discuss the results, answer any questions, and provide any additional support you may need.