fahcsia - Helping Children with Autism Package

The Australian Government has committed $190 million for the four years up to June 2012 to deliver the Helping Children with Autism package. The funding is to help provide services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).

 How do families access funding?

• A Paediatrician must first diagnose the child with ASD and provide the family with a letter to an Autism Advisor.
• The Autism Advisor will then provide information regarding eligibility, available funding, early intervention and other support services available

 What funding is available from the Government?

1.      Early intervention assistance funding package through FaHCSIA.

• The early intervention funding package provides access to early intervention for children aged zero to six with an ASD. The funding is for evidence-based early intervention to help improve: cognitive, emotional and social development of the child with ASD, prior to a child starting school.
• There is a revised eligibility criteria, effective from 19 October 2009. To be eligible for the early intervention funding package a child must have been seen by an Autism Advisor and deemed eligible to access the program before their sixth birthday.
• The $12,000 in funding under the early intervention component can be used until the child’s seventh birthday to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year.
• Eligible families can access service providers from the panel of Early Intervention Service Providers, which includes the Behavioural Neurotherapy Clinic.

2.      For children aged under 13 years for assessment and under 15 for treatment

• There are new Medicare items available for children aged under 13 years to access Psychologists, Speech and Occupational Therapists for assessment and for treatment if aged under 15 years
• A Paediatrician must do the referral for these once in a lifetime Medicare Items. Medicare rebates are available for a total of 4 sessions for assessment (must be under 13) and for a further 20 sessions towards treatment (must be under 15).

3.      Families from outer-regional or remote areas

• Families from outer-regional or remote areas may be eligible to receive an additional one off payment of $2,000 (paid directly to families) to assist with travel, accommodation, training, and respite or resource costs associated with early intervention.

4.      Medicare items 2710: GP Mental Health Care Plan

• GPs can refer the child with Autism for treatment by a Psychologist for 12 Medicare-rebatable sessions per annum (can be extended to 18)
• The same applies to any other member of the family who is affected by the child’s difficulties: those suffering from depression, anxiety, stress, poor sleep and any other mental health issue.

How do families contact an Autism Advisor?

 The Autism Advisors can be contacted through the state associations listed below: