Therapy assistant sessions and group programs can be a practical, affordable way to help your child build skills and confidence — often alongside their regular speech pathology or occupational therapy. This guide explains how these supports work on the Gold Coast, what they cost, how NDIS funding fits in, and how to choose the right provider for your family.
My Therapy Space offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian services, and Therapy Assistant programs at Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, including individual, pairs, group, and intensive therapy, plus workshops for families.
OTFC provides occupational therapy for children aged 0-18 using play-based, sensory-focused approaches, including assessments, groups, camps, in-community therapy, and NDIS support. Multiple Australian locations including Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads). Offers free meet-and-greet consultations.
My Therapy Space offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian services, and Therapy Assistant programs, including individual, pairs, group, and intensive therapy formats, plus workshops for families.
Kids & Community in Burleigh Heads, QLD offers occupational therapy for kids and teens, including individual supports, group programs, a community inclusion program, café program, and parent coaching. No ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details explicitly stated.
Neurodiverse Playhouse offers early intervention, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, podiatry, sensory motor programs, and social skills groups for neurodiverse children and adolescents across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Gold Coast (incl. Burleigh Heads). No diagnosis required; free intro Zoom offered.
Ladybug House is a clinician-led paediatric allied health group in Melbourne and Gold Coast offering Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy, plus small group programs and assessments. NDIS, Medicare and private health accepted; telehealth available; some clinicians now support clients aged 9+.
NDIS-eligible small group sessions in Southport, QLD, focused on improving social and critical thinking skills for people with disabilities, ASD and ADHD. Individual sessions available on request. Sessions run Monday–Saturday, coordinated by accredited staff.
Ashmore, QLD-based speech and OT centre offering speech pathology services including communication assessments, individual and group therapy, and the Sounds-Write literacy program. Family-centred approach for children and young adults. No explicit mention of NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist.
Allied health assistants (AHAs) are trained staff who deliver parts of a therapy plan under the supervision of a qualified speech pathologist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. The lead therapist sets the goals and designs the program, and the assistant carries out practice sessions — for example, repeating articulation drills, working on fine-motor tasks, or supporting play-based activities. Because AHA time is charged at a lower rate than a fully qualified therapist, it can stretch a child's therapy hours further.
Group programs bring a small number of children together to work on shared goals such as social skills, emotional regulation, handwriting, or school readiness. Groups are often run by an OT or speech pathologist, sometimes with an assistant helping. The group setting is valuable in itself, because children practise turn-taking, communication and cooperation with peers in a natural way.
Every child develops at their own pace, and only a qualified professional can assess your child. That said, families often seek support when they notice a child:
If you have concerns, start with a proper assessment from a speech pathologist, OT or your GP or paediatrician rather than self-diagnosing.
Group and assistant-led programs run right across childhood. On the Gold Coast you'll find early-intervention playgroups for toddlers and preschoolers, school-readiness groups for four to six year olds, and social or regulation groups for primary and high-school aged children. Providers usually group children by age and by goal, so ask what's on offer for your child's stage.
For most families, the first step is an assessment or intake appointment with the lead therapist, not the assistant. The therapist will talk with you about your child's history and your goals, may observe or assess your child, and will then recommend a plan. If assistant sessions or a group are suitable, they'll explain how it works, who supervises it, and how progress is reviewed. Bring any previous reports, your child's NDIS plan if you have one, and a short list of the things you'd most like help with.
As a general guide, allied health assistant sessions in Australia commonly range from around $55 to $95 per hour, while group programs are often charged per session and can be more affordable per child than individual therapy. Assessment and lead-therapist time is charged at higher rates — usually $180 to $220+ per hour. These are general ranges only; actual fees vary by provider and change over time.
The NDIS sets maximum price limits in its annual Pricing Arrangements, and registered providers cannot charge above them. Therapy assistant and group supports are generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Group programs may be billed as a shared or ratio-based support. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you have more flexibility over which providers you use; agency-managed plans must use NDIS-registered providers. Always confirm pricing in writing before you start, and check how travel and report-writing are charged.
This page features providers across the Gold Coast including Burleigh Waters, Burleigh Heads, Hope Island, Ashmore, Robina, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Parkwood and Miami. When comparing them, consider:
A good provider will answer these clearly and won't pressure you into signing up on the spot.
Or read the full therapy assistants & groups guide, or browse all Gold Coast providers.
A qualified therapist (such as a speech pathologist or OT) assesses your child, sets the goals and designs the program. A therapy assistant delivers parts of that program under the therapist's supervision, usually at a lower hourly rate, which can make therapy hours go further.
They serve different purposes. Groups are excellent for social skills, turn-taking and practising in a real peer setting, while one-on-one work targets individual goals. Many families use both. The right mix depends on your child's needs — ask the lead therapist for their recommendation.
These supports are generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Whether you can access a particular provider depends on how your plan is managed (self, plan or agency-managed). NDIS price limits apply, and registered providers cannot charge above them. Confirm details with the provider and your plan manager.
As a general guide, assistant sessions often range from around $55 to $95 per hour, with group programs charged per session and often cheaper per child than individual therapy. These are indicative ranges only and vary by provider — always get current pricing in writing before you start.
Ask whether the lead therapist is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia, registered with AHPRA, or a member of Occupational Therapy Australia. Also confirm who supervises any assistant, and whether the service is an NDIS-registered provider if that matters for your plan.