Medicare funding for speech pathology (M10 item group)

From 1 March 2026, the following conditions are included under the M10 item group:

• Stuttering
• Speech sound disorders (SSDs), including articulation disorder, phonological disorder, childhood apraxia of speech (also known as dyspraxia) and Dysarthria
• Cleft lip and/or palate

This means more children and young people can now access Medicare-funded speech pathology support.

To access speech pathology services under this funding, you must:

• Be under 25 years of age
• Have a referral from a GP, consultant physician or specialist
• Be diagnosed with, or suspected of having, an eligible condition under the M10 item group

Eligible individuals can access Medicare rebates for:

• Assessment sessions - up to 8 sessions
• Treatment sessions - up to 20 sessions

These sessions are available up until the person turns 25 and follow the standard referral and treatment planning process.

Medicare provides a rebate for each session delivered under the M10 item group.

• The current rebate is approximately $87.25 per session (as at February 2026)
• Speech pathologists set their own fees, so there may still be some out-of-pocket costs

Over time, these rebates can help reduce the overall cost of therapy for families.

This expansion improves access to speech pathology services for many families by:

• Reducing the cost of assessment and therapy
• Supporting earlier intervention
• Making it easier to access care through the Medicare system

For many families, this can make ongoing therapy more affordable adn accessible.

To access this funding, you'll need a referral from:

• A GP
• A specialist
• A consultant physician

If you are unsure where to start, your GP is often the best first step.