Therapy assistants and group programs can be a practical, affordable way to give your child extra practice between clinical sessions. This guide explains how these supports work, what they cost, how NDIS funding fits in, and how to choose a Brisbane provider. It also features some of the providers listed on our site, including Learn and Grow (Kelvin Grove), Whole Therapy Brisbane (Fortitude Valley) and Early Start Australia (Toowong).
NDIS registered provider in Chermside/Brisbane offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, allied health assistants, early intervention and behaviour support for children and young people aged 1–21, plus adults. Mobile/in-home, school and community-based services across Brisbane and Moreton Bay; no telehealth or waitlist details given.
Registered NDIS provider in Brisbane offering Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy (also Music Therapy, not a listed slug) for children, with telehealth, mobile services, group programs, assessments, and claims of no long waitlists.
My Therapy Crew is a multi-clinic allied health provider (Upper Mount Gravatt main clinic) offering OT, physiotherapy, speech pathology, positive behaviour support, dietetics, music therapy, social work and allied health assistants for people of all ages; services also in Darwin, Springwood, North Lakes, Sunshine Coast and mobile Cairns.
Music Beat Therapy Services provides clinical music therapy for children and adults of all ages/abilities at its Clayfield, QLD clinic and via mobile/home/school visits. Registered NDIS provider offering assessments, individual and group sessions across early intervention, disability, mental health, and aged care settings.
Speech pathology and feeding therapy provider for children aged 12 months–18 years, across Aspley, Ormiston and Mackay. Offers clinic, home, school and telehealth sessions, group programs, NDIS registered (self and plan-managed), minimal waitlists.
Salisbury, QLD paediatric speech pathology provider offering individual and group therapy for children's communication, speech clarity and hearing-related concerns. Services include support for schools and parents. No named practitioners, NDIS registration, telehealth or waitlist details explicitly stated.
Evergreen Kids Therapy is a paediatric occupational therapy provider in Stafford, QLD, run by Madeleine Goodliffe, seeing children aged 0-18 years. Offers in-clinic and mobile (home, school, daycare) sessions, focusing on early intervention. Waitlist available with immediate availability noted.
With You Allied Health, based in Everton Hills, Brisbane Northside, offers psychology, speech/language pathology, group programs, and assessments for children, adolescents and young adults. Psychologists are AHPRA registered. Mental Health Care Plans and NDIS funding may apply. Open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm.
Allied health assistants (AHAs) and therapy groups sit alongside your child's core therapy — they don't replace a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Instead, they help your child practise skills more often and in different settings.
A therapy assistant works under the supervision and delegation of a qualified allied health professional. The lead therapist sets the goals and program, and the assistant delivers structured, repeatable practice — for example, running speech-sound drills, supporting fine-motor tasks, or helping a child rehearse a social skill. Because assistants are more affordable than fully qualified clinicians, they can be a smart way to stretch therapy hours.
Group programs bring several children together to work on shared goals — social skills, play, early literacy, emotional regulation, or motor development. Groups are especially useful for skills that are best practised with peers, such as turn-taking, conversation, and cooperation.
Every child develops at their own pace, so this is general information, not a diagnosis. You might consider extra support if your child:
If you have concerns about development, it's worth speaking with your GP, child health nurse or a qualified therapist first — they can advise whether a group or assistant model suits your child.
Groups and assistant sessions run across a wide age range, from toddlers through to teens. Programs are usually grouped by age and stage — for example, early play groups for under-5s, school-readiness groups, and social skills groups for primary and high school ages. Ask each provider which age bands they run and how they match children within a group.
Before joining a group or starting assistant sessions, most Brisbane providers begin with an initial consultation or assessment led by a qualified therapist. This usually involves:
For group programs, providers often want to check your child's readiness and the group's suitability before enrolment. Bring any previous reports, your NDIS plan (if you have one), and a short list of what you'd most like your child to achieve.
Costs vary by provider, session length and whether you see an assistant or a qualified clinician. As a general guide only:
The NDIS publishes price caps that registered providers must not exceed, and these are updated periodically. Actual fees differ between providers, so always ask for a written quote or service agreement.
Under the NDIS, group programs and therapy-assistant supports are commonly funded from the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. Assistant time is billed at a lower rate than clinician time. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you generally have more flexibility in choosing providers; agency-managed plans require an NDIS-registered provider. Check how any group is billed and whether the supervising therapist's planning time is included.
Take your time comparing a few providers, and don't hesitate to ask for a trial session or a phone chat before committing.
Or read the full therapy assistants & groups guide, or browse all Brisbane providers.
A qualified therapist (such as a speech pathologist, OT or physiotherapist) assesses your child, sets goals and designs the program. A therapy assistant delivers structured practice under that therapist's supervision and delegation. Assistants are more affordable, which can help stretch your therapy hours, but they work as part of a team led by a qualified clinician.
Yes, these supports are commonly funded from the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. Assistant time is billed at a lower rate than clinician time, and NDIS price caps apply to registered providers. How you can access a provider depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed, so check billing arrangements before you start.
Programs run across a wide range, from toddlers to teens, and are usually grouped by age and stage. Ask each Brisbane provider which age bands they offer and how they match children within a group to make sure it's a good fit.
As a general guide only, allied health assistant sessions often range from around $55–$90 per hour, and group programs are frequently charged per session or per term, which can be cheaper per child than one-to-one therapy. NDIS price caps apply and fees vary between providers, so always ask for a written quote.
Confirm that supervising therapists are registered with the relevant body — Speech Pathology Australia, AHPRA, or Occupational Therapy Australia — and ask about the assistants' qualifications and supervision. Then ask directly about current waitlists, where your child would sit, and how the provider bills against your NDIS plan.