Other funding options

In Australia, families and individuals with autism have access to a variety of support and funding options.

These resources aim to help with some of the challenges associated with autism, providing financial aid, services, and care that cater to each individual's unique needs. From early childhood education to adulthood, understanding these options can significantly impact the quality of life for those on the spectrum and their families.

NDIS funding and supports for participants are constantly changing. What might have been funded previously may have changed under the new NDIS legislation. It's important to ensure that you are up to date with the current information and updates.

Information on this page is current as of November 2024.

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

As children with autism transition into adulthood, the School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) offers a bridge towards achieving meaningful employment. This program, supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), is designed to help young adults on the spectrum prepare for the workforce. SLES focuses on building skills, confidence, and understanding of the work environment, offering customised support that aligns with each individual's employment goals.

NDIS and beyond

The NDIS plays an important role in providing support for Australians with autism. Beyond SLES, the NDIS offers a wide range of funding and services tailored to meet the needs of individuals across the spectrum. From early intervention services for children to support for adults, the NDIS ensures that individuals with autism can access the resources they need to live fulfilling lives.

The NDIS facilitates access to services that assist with diagnosis, treatment, and management of autism. Adults can also benefit from NDIS support, which includes funding for therapy, daily living aids, and community participation initiatives.

Medicare and other funding

In an ideal world, assessment and diagnosis would be rapid, professional and free. There are many state-funded services that provide diagnosis, and some people are able to access these without a long wait and without having to travel too far. However, most state-funded assessment services have very long waiting lists and families can be left waiting for up to 12 months for an appointment.

You may need or choose to use private professionals to do an assessment of your son or daughter. There are some funding options that can help. Your GP can refer you to a paediatrician or psychologist/psychiatrist for diagnosis, and a Medicare item number can be claimed to pay for part of this cost. The paediatrician or psychologist/psychiatrist can then refer you to see up to eight professionals for diagnostic services, such as audiologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and speech pathologists.

Medicare items for autism diagnosis - Complex neurodevelopmental disorder and eligible disability

Medicare items are available for diagnosing and treating patients with an eligible disability.

The initiative links Better Start for Children to the Helping Children with Autism program (HCWA). These programs are now part of the NDIS. Patients with both an eligible disability or complex neurodevelopmental disorder (such as autism spectrum disorder) can access MBS services associated with these programs. The patient must be under 25 years of age to have:

• allied health MBS items for assistance in diagnosing the patient or contributing to a treatment plan
• a treatment and management plan prepared by a specialist, consultant physician or general practitioner.

See more at Services Australia and Medicare.

Better Access to Mental Health Care Scheme

The scheme is available to all Australians and we highly recommend you use it for anyone in your family or care where required. In particular, if you are experiencing anxiety, depression or emotional strain it can be a huge help.

Many children, teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum take advantage of this program to help fund visits to a psychologist. Many parents and carers also access the scheme and find it very beneficial. Under the scheme, Medicare rebates are available to patients for selected mental health services provided by general practitioners (GPs), psychiatrists, psychologists (clinical and registered), eligible social workers, and occupational therapists.

Medicare rebates are available for up to ten individual and ten group allied mental health services per calendar year to patients with an assessed mental disorder who are referred by:

• A GP managing the patient under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or
• Under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan or
• A psychiatrist or paediatrician

The first step to access the scheme is to see your GP who will assess whether you have a mental disorder and whether the preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate for you.

Chronic Disease Management Plan

Again this scheme is available to all Australians and is a means to access additional services for both people on the spectrum and their parents or carers.

A chronic medical condition is one that has been present for six months or longer. In the area of ASD the most common examples include: anxiety, depression or stress (PTSD). There is no list of eligible conditions. However, these items are designed for patients who require a structured approach to their care and to enable GPs to plan and coordinate the care of patients with complex conditions requiring ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team.

Access to these Medicare rebates starts with a visit to your GP. It is invaluable to find a GP who understands autism spectrum disorder and who is across all the different Medicare rebates that can be accessed. Not all GPs are well versed in this area, so it’s important to do your research and be well informed before you see your GP.

Carer Allowance

This is a Centrelink payment for carers who provide additional daily care and attention for someone with a disability. This payment is for you if the person you care for needs ongoing daily care for at least 12 months or has a terminal medical condition. The Carer Allowance is $153.50 per fortnight.

To be eligible for this payment, there are certain criteria both you and the person you're caring for must meet. It is a good idea to apply for Carer Allowance as soon as you have decided to seek an assessment, as long as you provide daily care for your child. The payment starts from the date the form is lodged not from the date of assessment.

To start the process visit your GP, as you and a medical practitioner both need to fill in the form. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Carer Payment

This is a payment made to carers who provide care for a person with a severe disability who has higher needs. The payment is means tested, and evaluated based on income, assets and residential requirements. Payments are made fortnightly and the rate varies depending on your individual assessment. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Annual Payments - Carer Supplement

This is an annual lump-sum payment to assist carers with the costs of caring for a person with a disability. To be eligible for the payment you must be receiving the Carer Allowance or the Carer Payment as of the 1 July each year. The payment is up to $600 each year and you do not need to apply for it. You will automatically receive it if you are eligible however it’s always a good idea to check with Centrelink. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Health Care Card

You/your child with autism may be eligible for a Health care card if you get specific payments or supplements from Centrelink or the maximum rate of family tax benefit Part A. Check the health care card eligibility here.

Annual payments - Child Disability Assistance Payment

This is an automatic yearly payment if you are receiving the Carer Allowance for looking after a child with a disability or serious illness as of the 1 July each year. The payment is up to $1000 for each eligible child who qualifies for the Carer Allowance. If you are getting Carer Allowance for 2 children, you will get 2 payments.
If you share the care for a child and get a part rate of Carer Allowance, you will get a part payment of the Child Disability Assistance Payment in the same ratio. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Carer Adjustment Payment

This is a one off payment to assist families following a catastrophic event where a child younger than 7 is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition. To get this payment you must provide full time care for a child younger than 7 and meet other rules. The most any family can get is up to $10,000 for each child for one catastrophic event. You need to complete a form to apply for a Carer Adjustment Payment. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Payments for people over 16 years of age

Once young people are over 16 years of age there are other funding supports available, such as the Disability Support Pension, Youth Allowance, Youth Disability Supplement and more. For more information, visit Services Australia.

Parking

The Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS) includes an Australian Disability Parking Permit, which is recognised nationally. It establishes nationally consistent eligibility criteria and national minimum parking concessions to help reduce the barriers for permit holders when travelling interstate. Permit holders can:

• park in disability parking spaces that display the international symbol of access
• receive concessions in public parking spaces where signs or metres show specific time limits

State and Territory Governments are responsible for the management of the ADPS. Most States and Territories acknowledge that individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder may fit the criteria for a Mobility Parking Permit where the criteria specifies being able to walk independently. A tendency to abscond and/or the inability to understand or obey road safety rules may be taken into consideration by the GP when deciding if the individual meets eligibility criteria.

Enquiries about permit applications, cost, eligibility and use, should be directed to your relevant State or Territory authority - see table below.

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AIC)

The Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AIC) provides financial support for families whose children, including those with autism, are unable to attend local schools due to distance or special needs. This assistance helps with education-related expenses for students in distance education or boarding schools. For more details and to check eligibility requirements, visit the official AIC page.