Find NDIS Speech Therapists

Speech therapy, also known as speech pathology, supports people to communicate effectively and safely. For NDIS participants, speech therapy can help with speech development, language, understanding, social interaction, communication aids and swallowing difficulties.

A speech therapist works with you to understand your goals, assess communication needs, and provide strategies, therapy programs, assistive communication supports or reports for NDIS funding.

A speech therapist and a speech pathologist are the same profession. In Australia, the formal title is speech pathologist, and the field is known as speech pathology. However, many people use the term speech therapist in everyday language.

Both titles refer to a qualified allied health professional who assesses and treats communication and swallowing difficulties. All practising speech pathologists in Australia hold a university degree and are eligible for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.

Under the NDIS, speech pathology services are funded as allied health therapy supports.

MyCareSpace removes the stress and guesswork from finding the right speech therapist. Instead of searching directories, contacting multiple providers or joining long waitlists, our Connections Team does the work for you.

We take the time to understand the participant’s needs, location, preferences and NDIS plan, then search across our network of verified speech therapy providers Australia wide. We confirm availability before connecting you, so you receive options that are suitable and ready to support you.

An NDIS speech therapist can provide a wide range of supports depending on the participant's goals and needs. These include:

• Speech clarity and pronunciation
• Language development and understanding
• Social communication and conversation skills
• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) supports
• Stuttering and fluency therapy
• Support for adults after stroke, injury or neurological conditions
• Feeding and swallowing difficulties
• Communication support for autism and developmental delay

Your speech therapist will tailor their approach based on your individual goals, environment and NDIS plan.

MyCareSpace is free to use for NDIS participants, families and support coordinators. There is no fee to submit a request or to be connected with speech therapy providers.

The cost of speech therapy services themselves is billed by the provider in line with NDIS pricing arrangements and the participant’s plan. Our role is to help you find the right provider with availability, without adding additional cost or pressure to your NDIS journey.

NDIS Paediatric speech therapy focuses on building skills needed for communication, learning and social participation. Child speech therapy may support:

• Language development
• Speech sounds and clarity
• Social interaction and play communication
• Communication support for autism
• Feeding and swallowing challenges
• Parent coaching and early intervention

Speech therapists may also provide assessments and reports to support NDIS plan reviews.

NDIS speech therapy for adults supports independence, communication and safety. Adult speech therapy may focus on:

• Communication after stroke or brain injury
• Voice and fluency support
• Social communication skills
• AAC systems for complex needs
• Swallowing and mealtime safety
• Capacity building for community participation

Speech therapists can also provide reports for funding decisions and ongoing supports.

No, you do not need a GP referral to access speech therapy under the NDIS. If your NDIS plan includes funding for speech therapy under Capacity Building supports, you can access speech pathology services directly.

Self-managed and plan-managed participants can choose any qualified speech pathologist, while agency-managed participants must use a registered NDIS provider.

MyCareSpace can help you find a speech therapist with availability regardless of how your plan is managed.

Yes. Support coordinators, plan managers and LACs regularly use MyCareSpace to help participants find speech therapists with current availability.

Our service helps reduce delays, saves time and supports faster connection to therapy, particularly when participants have complex needs or urgent support requirements.

Speech therapy is typically funded under the Capacity Building category of an NDIS plan, specifically under Improved Daily Living (Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy and Training). Capital supports may also fund assistive communication technology such as AAC devices.

If speech therapy funding is already included in your plan, you can usually begin services straight away. If it is not currently included, a speech therapist may complete an assessment or report to support a plan review or funding request.

MyCareSpace can connect you with speech pathology providers experienced in NDIS assessments and reporting.