Therapy assistant sessions and group programs can be a practical, affordable way for children to build skills and practise them in real-life settings. This guide explains how these supports work, who they suit, and how to choose the right provider in Bendigo. It features local services including Bendigo Speech Works, Psychological Assessment and Therapy Centre, and GoldilOTs Occupational Therapy.
NDIS-registered Speech Pathology practice in Kennington/Bendigo serving paediatric, youth and adult (18+) clients. Offers individual and group therapy for communication, literacy, social skills and swallowing difficulties. No named practitioners, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Bendigo/Golden Square VIC provider offering assessment, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and play therapy, and groups/AHA supports. No practitioner names, telehealth, NDIS registration, ages, or waitlist details explicitly stated on page.
GoldilOTs is an NDIS-registered provider in Bendigo/Echuca, VIC, offering Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, group therapy programs, therapy assistance, and assessments/reports for children and young people, using a play-based, family-centred approach.
GoldilOTs is an NDIS registered provider in Bendigo/Echuca offering Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, group therapy programs, and Therapy Assistance for children and teens, using a strengths-based, family-centred approach with assessments and reports.
Allied health assistants (AHAs) work under the direction of a qualified therapist — such as a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or psychologist — to deliver parts of a child's therapy plan. The lead therapist sets the goals and designs the program, then the assistant helps the child practise activities, run through home programs, and build consistency between sessions. Because assistants operate at a lower price point than a fully qualified therapist, they can stretch a child's funding further while keeping progress on track.
Group programs bring several children together to work on shared goals — for example, social skills, emotional regulation, fine-motor tasks, or early language and play. Groups are led or supervised by a qualified therapist and are especially useful for skills that are hard to practise one-on-one, like turn-taking, conversation, friendship-building and coping with the everyday noise of being around peers.
Every child develops at their own pace, but you might consider extra support if your child:
These are general observations, not a diagnosis. If you're concerned, speak with your GP, paediatrician or a qualified allied health professional who can assess your child properly.
Groups and assistant-led sessions run for a wide age range, from toddlers through to teenagers. Programs are usually grouped by age and stage — early-years play and language groups, primary-school social skills groups, and adolescent groups focused on independence and self-regulation. Ask each provider which age brackets they cater for, as availability changes term to term.
Groups and assistant sessions almost always start with an assessment or intake by a qualified therapist. In this first appointment, the therapist will talk with you about your child's strengths, challenges and goals, and may observe or work directly with your child. From there they'll recommend whether one-on-one therapy, assistant-led sessions, a group program, or a mix is the best fit. You'll usually leave with a clear plan and an idea of how progress will be measured.
As a general guide, allied health assistant sessions in Australia often fall in the range of roughly $55–$95 per hour, while therapist-led sessions are higher (commonly $150–$220+ per hour). Group programs are frequently charged per session or per term and are usually more cost-effective per child than individual therapy. These are broad ranges only — actual fees vary by provider, session length and whether the session is delivered by an assistant or a qualified therapist.
The NDIS publishes annual price limits (caps) for allied health supports, and assistant supports are generally priced lower than practitioner supports. Group and assistant-led therapy is typically funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living, which covers assessment, therapy and skill-building. Always confirm current pricing and funding directly with the provider, and check your child's plan to see which budget applies.
When comparing local options, look at:
Taking the time to ask these questions upfront helps you find the right fit and get the most from your child's funding.
Or read the full therapy assistants & groups guide, or browse all Bendigo providers.
A qualified therapist (such as a speech pathologist, OT or psychologist) assesses your child, sets the goals and designs the program. A therapy assistant then delivers parts of that program under supervision, usually at a lower hourly rate. This lets you stretch funding further while a qualified professional stays responsible for the plan.
Groups aren't a straight substitute for individual therapy, but they're excellent for skills that need practice with peers — like social skills, turn-taking and emotional regulation. Many children benefit from a mix. The lead therapist can advise what suits your child's goals best.
These supports are commonly funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. The NDIS sets annual price caps, and assistant supports are generally priced lower than practitioner supports. Check your child's plan and confirm funding and pricing with the provider before starting.
As a general guide, assistant sessions in Australia often range from about $55–$95 per hour, while therapist-led sessions are higher. Group programs are often charged per term. These are broad ranges only — always confirm current fees directly with the provider, as NDIS price caps and individual pricing apply.
Ask whether the provider is NDIS-registered, and confirm therapist credentials — Speech Pathology Australia for speech pathologists, and AHPRA (plus OT Australia) for occupational therapists and psychologists. Also ask who supervises the assistants and how long the waitlist is for assessment and group places.