Therapy Assistants
LETS TALK ABOUT HELPING!
What is a Therapy Assistant?
A therapy assistant works under the guidance of a qualified speech pathologist to help deliver therapy supports in a fun, practical, and meaningful way.
They’re often involved in running sessions, practicing skills, and helping participants work toward their communication goals through play, everyday routines, and personalised activities. While they don’t diagnose or create treatment plans, therapy assistants play a key role in bringing those plans to life - helping build confidence, consistency, and connection.
At First Step, our therapy assistants are kind, creative, and neuroaffirming allies who love celebrating every step of progress, big or small!
How does it work?
We start with either a comprehensive, personalised assessment with our Senior Speech Pathologist, or if an assessment has been done previously, a review of this report & a chat with mum/dad/carer will occur. A Therapy Plan will then be written - essentially a guide for the Therapy Assistant to implement during sessions.
Regular supervision between the Therapy Assistant and Speech Pathologist will occur, ensuring that supports are being delivered in an effective and neuroaffirming way.
Our Therapy assistants can visit you or your child at home, school, or in the community.
Fees & Funding
Our Speech Pathologist Assessments are charged at $193.99 per hour, with approximately 6 hours required for a full assessment & therapy plan.
If an assessment has been completed in the last 12 months, only 2 hours is required.
Our Therapy Assistants are $86.79 per hour, and we do charge travel (only one way, and we group participants by suburb to minimise this as much as possible.
NDIS Funding can be used for both the Speech Pathology Assessment and Therapy Assistant.
A Medicare 135 Referral can be used for the Speech Pathology Assessment, with a rebate of $85.20 per hour.
Unfortunately, the 135 Referral cannot be used for a Therapy Assistant, and the full fee applies
