Early intervention gives children aged 0–6 with developmental delay or disability the best possible start by building skills during the years when the brain is developing fastest. This guide explains what early intervention involves, how to know if your child might benefit, how NDIS funding works, and how to choose the right provider in Melbourne. It also features some of the highly rated services listed on this page.
Wonder Kids OT is a Dandenong, VIC-based paediatric occupational therapy and speech pathology provider serving children aged 0–18. Offers clinic-based and mobile/home therapy, neuroaffirming, play-based programs for sensory processing, motor skills, ADHD, autism, and daily living skills. No NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details explicitly stated.
Melbourne-based NDIS provider offering early childhood therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, allied health assistance, and referrals for dietetics, psychology and physiotherapy. Serves children across northern, south-east, inner-eastern and western Melbourne with immediate capacity; currently taking new referrals.
Melbourne-based paediatric occupational therapy clinic supporting children aged 0-17 with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and sensory processing challenges. Offers assessments, professional reports, individual therapy, school holiday intensives, and telehealth services across multiple eastern suburbs locations.
Physio Partners is a multidisciplinary allied-health clinic in Melbourne (CBD, Doncaster East, Mornington) offering rehabilitation, chest physiotherapy, NDIS services (physiotherapy, exercise physiology, counselling, remedial massage, social work), and home/mobile visits. No paediatric-specific services, ages, telehealth details, or waitlist information are explicitly mentioned.
Melbourne-based paediatric occupational therapy clinic supporting children aged 0-17 with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, developmental delays and sensory processing challenges. Offers assessments, professional reports, individual therapy, school/kinder visits, telehealth, and multiple eastern suburbs locations.
Melbourne-based early childhood intervention provider specialising in ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) therapy for toddlers and young children with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays. Offers autism spectrum assessments, play-based therapy, and parent coaching. No mention of NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist.
Melbourne CBD multidisciplinary practice offering Speech Pathology, OT, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Dietetics, Allied Health Assistance, Positive Behaviour Support, and NDIS Support Coordination/Plan Management for children, including babies. NDIS-funded services mentioned; no explicit ages, telehealth, or waitlist details given.
Melbourne-based paediatric occupational therapy clinic supporting children aged 0-17 with autism, ADHD, sensory processing, motor skills, self-care, school readiness and emotional regulation. Offers assessments, professional reports, individual therapy and telehealth services across multiple eastern suburbs Melbourne locations.
Early intervention (EI) is coordinated, evidence-based support for young children who have a developmental delay, disability or diagnosed condition. In Melbourne this is usually delivered through a multidisciplinary team, which may include occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, psychologists and early childhood educators. Rather than working in silos, good programs bring these professionals together around goals that matter for your child and family — such as communicating needs, playing with other children, dressing, eating, or moving confidently.
Modern EI is family-centred and often uses a key worker or lead practitioner model, where one therapist coordinates support and coaches you to embed strategies into everyday routines at home, at childcare and at the park. This 'capacity building' approach recognises that children learn most from the people they spend time with every day, not just during a weekly therapy session.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth seeking advice if your child:
A delay in one area doesn't necessarily mean a diagnosis. The point of EI is to provide support early, whether or not a formal diagnosis exists. Your GP, maternal and child health nurse or paediatrician can help you decide on next steps.
Early intervention is generally for children from birth to around 6 years, before or during the early school years. Under the NDIS, children under 9 with developmental delay or disability are supported through the early childhood approach, delivered by early childhood partners in your area. You don't always need a diagnosis to access early childhood support.
A first appointment is usually an assessment and conversation, not a test your child can pass or fail. The therapist will talk with you about your concerns, your child's history and your family's daily routines. They'll often observe your child playing and interacting, and may use standardised assessments. From there you'll work together to set a small number of meaningful goals and agree on how support will be delivered — in clinic, at home, at childcare, or via telehealth. Expect a first session to run 45–90 minutes.
Many families access EI through the NDIS, which publishes annual price caps in its Pricing Arrangements. As a general guide, allied health therapy in Australia commonly sits around $180–$220+ per hour, and reports or assessments may cost more. These figures are indicative only and change over time — always confirm current pricing directly with the provider.
Under the NDIS, most therapy is funded through the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. Some children also receive supports under early childhood funding. If you're self-managed or plan-managed you can often choose both NDIS-registered and non-registered providers; if you're NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider. It's fine to ask a provider how they bill and whether they charge travel or report-writing time.
With many services across Melbourne — from Dandenong and Mount Waverley to Hawthorn, Essendon and the CBD — it helps to have a checklist:
This page features highly rated Melbourne providers including Wonder Kids OT (Dandenong), the Hope Kids OT clinics (Mount Waverley, Burwood East and Wantirna), Bloom Healthcare, Hello Kids Therapy Hub, Amazing Kids Early Intervention, Stepping Forward Therapy Services, Ergo Therapy Group, Physio Inq Victoria, Splash Paediatric Therapy and CPTherapy. Ratings and review counts are a starting point — always contact a provider directly to check they suit your child's needs.
Trust your instincts. The best provider is one where you feel heard, your child is comfortable, and the team communicates clearly with you and with each other.
Or read the full early intervention guide, or browse all Melbourne providers.
Not always. Under the NDIS early childhood approach, children under 9 with developmental delay can often access support without a formal diagnosis. Your GP, maternal and child health nurse or an early childhood partner can help you get started.
Most therapy is funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget, with some children supported through early childhood funding. The NDIS sets annual price caps for therapy. Always confirm current pricing and how billing works with your chosen provider.
Early intervention is generally for children from birth to around 6 years. Starting sooner is usually better, as young children's brains are highly adaptable — but it's never too late to seek support if you have concerns.
Speech pathologists should be certified with Speech Pathology Australia, while occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists are registered with AHPRA. Many OTs are also members of Occupational Therapy Australia. It's reasonable to ask any provider for this information.
Waitlists are common in Melbourne. Ask for both the assessment and regular-session wait times, consider joining more than one waitlist, and ask whether telehealth or home visits could start sooner. Many providers can suggest interim strategies for home.