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How much does an autism assessment cost in Australia, and is there a Medicare rebate?

The public and private routes, the Medicare items for complex neurodevelopmental conditions, and how to keep costs down.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 27, 2026 · 2 min read
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The short answer

Costs vary a lot. Public assessments through child development services can be free but often have long waits. Private assessments cost more, but Medicare can help: for people under 25, a consultant paediatrician or psychiatrist can use Medicare items for complex neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, and refer to allied health for assessment and treatment services.

Key takeaways
  • Public assessments can be free but often have long waits.
  • Private assessments cost more; Medicare can reduce costs.
  • Medicare items for complex neurodevelopmental conditions cover people under 25.
  • You can start support before a diagnosis.

What are the routes to an autism assessment?

  1. See your GP. They can refer you to a paediatrician or psychiatrist, or to public child development services.
  2. Public services. State-funded child development or health services, often free but with waiting lists.
  3. Private assessment. A private paediatrician or psychiatrist, often working with a psychologist and speech pathologist or OT.

How does Medicare help?

Medicare includes items for assessing, diagnosing and treating complex neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism. The key medical items are for consultant paediatricians (item 135) and psychiatrists (item 289), for patients under 25.12

The pathway usually looks like this:1

  1. A paediatrician or psychiatrist refers to allied health assessment services.
  2. They make a diagnosis and a treatment and management plan.
  3. They refer to allied health treatment services, such as speech pathology or OT.

Allied health services only attract Medicare benefits after the prerequisite medical item has been paid, and these services can be delivered by telehealth.1

How can I reduce cost and waiting time?

Try
  • Getting on public and private waiting lists at the same time
  • Asking about cancellation lists
  • Asking clinics for a written cost estimate
  • Starting early supports while you wait
Skip
  • Paying for online tests that can't diagnose
  • Waiting for a diagnosis before getting any help

Guidelines from the Autism CRC recommend supports that are child- and family-centred and strengths-focused, which families can start well before a diagnosis.3

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What can I do this week?

0 of 3 done

Read next: What is Thriving Kids?

Common questions

Yes, to see a specialist paediatrician or psychiatrist with a Medicare rebate you need a referral, usually from your GP.

Sources

  1. Services Australia: MBS billing for complex neurodevelopmental conditions and eligible disabilities. servicesaustralia.gov.au
  2. Medicare Benefits Schedule: Item 135. www9.health.gov.au
  3. Autism CRC: Supporting autistic children guideline. autismcrc.com.au

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Every child is different, so please talk with your child's doctor or care team about what's right for your family. How we write our guides.

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