There are a number of sources of financial support to assist parents and carers with the costs associated with raising a child with additional needs.
Download Kalparrin’s Quick Guide #2 below.
General Practitioner (GP)
Your GP can assess eligibility to access subsidised services via a specific Medicare Plan.
Chronic Disease Management Plan
This plan provides five subsidised visits to allied health professional(s) in one calendar year. Read more
Better Access To Mental Health Care Plan
This Plan provides rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a psychologist or registered occupational therapist in one calendar year. Read more
Centrelink
Centrelink provides payments to people who provide daily care for someone with severe disability, a medical condition or who is frail and/or aged. Read more about who can apply
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS provides services and equipment to enable your child to participate in the community. This may include things like:
- Long-term equipment
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Services such as speech and occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, social work and dietetics
- Some consumables such as nappies (children three years and over), suction / feeding tubes, catheters, incontinence supplies
- Home modification to assist with better access.
These items and services are provided to improve your child’s quality of life and participation in society and to mitigate any worsening of their disability over time and as they grow. Read more on your child’s eligibility
Private and Charitable Grants
There is a wide variety of available grant opportunities through which parents can apply for services, aids and equipment such as the Steve Waugh Foundation for Rare Diseases, Variety WA, WA Charity Direct.
For more information, contact one of our friendly Family Support Officers, all of whom have personal experience of raising a child with additional needs.
