Fees
Comprehensive assessments, clearly priced and paid in stages. Here is exactly what each service costs, and how the payment structure works.
Growling Grass Frog
Fee schedule
Comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment
Every assessment includes comprehensive neuropsychological testing, clinical and developmental interviews with your child and family, teacher questionnaires, review of medical history and school reports, assessment for co-occurring conditions, and a results feedback session.
You will receive a detailed diagnostic report, personalised recommendations, a school support letter, and an NDIS support letter if applicable.
Autism spectrum assessment
When autism is being queried, the assessment is extended to include autism-specific neuropsychological testing, validated questionnaires, sensory differences and social communication exploration, and comprehensive differential diagnosis considering co-occurring conditions. The total for a combined assessment is $3,400.
Post-diagnostic sessions
Following assessment, two types of session are available, each billed at $270 per hour: Identity and Family Support, and School Advocacy. These sessions are optional and can be discussed with Dr Vanessa Petersen after your feedback session.
How payment works
Your first contact is a no-cost 15-minute call to confirm suitability. If you choose to proceed, the assessment is paid across three milestones, each invoiced in advance for the clinical work that follows.
- 1 History and caregiver interview $500
Invoiced following completion of the service agreement.
- 2 Sessions with your child $1,500$1,800 with autism extension
Invoiced following the caregiver history interview.
- 3 Feedback session and report preparation $800$1,100 with autism extension
Invoiced following the final session with your child.
Common questions
How is the assessment pathway decided?
At the caregiver interview, Dr Vanessa Petersen will collaborate with you and jointly agree the assessment pathway, either the Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment or that assessment with the Autism Spectrum extension. The agreed pathway determines the amounts invoiced for Payment 2 and Payment 3.
How do I make a payment?
Invoices are payable within 7 days of issue, and must be cleared before the next appointment can proceed. Payments are accepted via bank transfer. For post-diagnostic sessions ($270 per hour), payment is to be received and cleared two business days before each session.
Full payment terms are set out in our service agreement, which is shared with you before you commit to booking.
What funding and rebates are available?
Medicare
Neuropsychology assessments: Medicare does not directly cover neuropsychology assessments. There are medicare based funding resources available to eligible people under 25 years for investigation of 'complex neurodevelopmental disorders'. This small rebate covers a very limited aspect of the comprehensive assessment and development of intervention recommendations. Referrals under this scheme are initiated by a paediatrician or child psychiatrist, so it's best to reach out to them for more information.
Treatment services: There are limited medicare based funding resources available to eligible children and young adults under 25 years for "treatment" (this is a medicare term) of 'complex neurodevelopmental disorders'. This service can be used for post diagnostic therapeutic sessions that directly involve the client. Medicare funding under this scheme can occur following a referral from a paediatrician, psychiatrist or GP who has developed a 'treatment and management plan' relating to your child's disability. I encourage you to get in touch with your paediatrician, child psychiatrist, or GP to discuss referrals under this medicare scheme.
Private health cover
If you have a whizz-bang shiny Private Health extras policy that offers reimbursement for neuropsychological assessment, that is excellent news! Each of your three milestone payments produces a receipt once the invoice is cleared, and these are what most people use to make a claim. It is always best to contact your health fund directly to check if you are covered.
NDIS
Where applicable, your assessment report includes an NDIS support letter alongside your detailed diagnostic report, personalised recommendations, and a school support letter.
What's your cancellation policy?
A neuropsychological assessment reserves substantial pre-allocated clinician time at each stage. With at least 7 days notice, you may reschedule once across the entire assessment at no cost. All other reschedules attract the fee shown below.
| Stage | Reschedule fee | If you discontinue services |
|---|---|---|
| Caregiver interview | $250 | Payment 1 non-refundable |
| Sessions with your child | $500 | Payment 2 refunded with 7+ days notice, otherwise non-refundable |
| Feedback session | $250 | Payment 3 non-refundable |
If a feedback session is missed, release of the final report may be delayed until the session has occurred or alternative arrangements are agreed. The feedback session is part of the assessment itself, where results, formulation, and recommendations are explained in context.
Post-diagnostic sessions (Identity & Family Support, School Advocacy) are paid in advance, with payment cleared two business days before each session. With more than 48 hours notice, the session may be rescheduled at no cost. With less than 48 hours notice or a no-show, the full session fee is retained.
Fees retained on rescheduled, missed, or discontinued appointments are not eligible for rebates from Medicare or private health funds. The full terms are set out in the service agreement shared with you before booking.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your child's needs and find the right path forward.