Therapy assistant sessions and group programs can be a practical, cost-effective way for children to build skills between appointments with their allied health professional. This guide explains how these supports work, what they typically cost in Australia, and how to choose a provider in Perth. It also features some of the providers listed on this page.
Paediatric occupational therapy provider in Subiaco, WA, seeing children and adolescents aged 3-18. Offers assessments, individual therapy, school-based services, school holiday group programs, and NDIS services for self- and plan-managed participants.
Melville Occupational Therapy in Myaree, WA offers paediatric OT for children 0-teenage years, specialising in sensory processing, auditory interventions (iLs, SSP), autism, ADHD, and social skills groups. NDIS registered for self-managed and plan-managed participants. No telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Perth clinic supporting ages 0-17 (OT from 6 months-18 years) with speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, positive behaviour support, early intervention, and allied health assistants. Offers in-clinic, telehealth, and community-based sessions; states no long waitlists.
Skillbuilders Therapy has provided children's therapy services in Western Australia since 1995, with locations in Cockburn Central and Canning Vale. Offers group programmes and a waitlist for registration. Specific therapy types and NDIS registration details not explicitly stated in provided text.
Registered NDIS provider offering Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for children, delivered in clinic and at schools, including Cannington WA. Aims to reduce wait times; joint speech/OT sessions and group/intensive programs also offered.
Paediatric occupational therapy provider in Balcatta, WA offering individualised therapy, parent coaching, group therapy, and standardised/non-standardised assessments. Focuses on building skills and confidence in everyday life for children.
Registered NDIS provider in Cockburn Central, WA offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Services delivered in-clinic, at home, in community, and via telehealth; open to NDIS and private-paying clients.
Registered NDIS provider in Inglewood, WA offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Services provided in-clinic, at home, in community, or via telehealth for NDIS and private clients, including Better At Home surgical recovery support.
Allied health assistants (AHAs) are trained staff who deliver therapy activities under the supervision and direction of a qualified professional — usually an occupational therapist, speech pathologist or physiotherapist. The supervising therapist sets the goals and the plan, and the assistant helps carry it out through regular practice sessions. Because AHAs work at a lower hourly rate than the supervising clinician, families can often get more frequent hands-on support for the same budget.
Group programs bring several children together to work on shared goals — such as social skills, emotional regulation, fine-motor tasks, play skills or early language. Groups are usually run or overseen by a qualified therapist and can be a great fit for children who benefit from learning alongside peers. Common examples include social skills groups, school-readiness programs, handwriting groups and early communication groups.
Every child develops at their own pace, and this is general information only — a qualified professional should assess your child. That said, families often seek group or assistant-based support when a child:
Group programs and assistant sessions run across a wide age range, from toddlers in early-intervention playgroups through to primary-school children and teenagers. Many Perth providers group children by age and stage so the activities suit their developmental level. Ask each provider which age brackets they cater for.
For group programs, the first step is usually an assessment or intake session with a qualified therapist to work out whether the group is a good fit and to set goals. You'll typically discuss your child's strengths, challenges and what you'd like them to get out of the program. For therapy assistant sessions, the supervising therapist will have already completed an assessment and written a plan the assistant follows. Expect to fill in intake forms, provide any existing reports, and talk through your NDIS plan or funding if relevant.
As a rough guide, allied health assistant sessions in Australia commonly range from around $55 to $90 per hour, while sessions delivered by qualified therapists sit higher (often $180 to $220+ per hour). Group programs are usually priced per session or per term and can work out cheaper per child than individual therapy. These are general ranges only and change over time.
The NDIS publishes price caps in its annual Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, and therapy assistant and group supports generally sit under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Always confirm current pricing directly with the provider, as fees vary and caps are updated each year.
Use these checks before committing:
Taking time to ask these questions helps you match your child to the right support and get the most from their funding.
Or read the full therapy assistants & groups guide, or browse all Perth providers.
A qualified therapist (such as an OT or speech pathologist) assesses your child, sets goals and writes the plan. A trained allied health assistant then delivers therapy activities under that therapist's supervision. Assistants usually cost less per hour, which can allow more frequent practice sessions within your budget.
They can be, usually under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. How you access them depends on whether your plan is NDIA-managed, plan-managed or self-managed. The NDIS sets annual price caps, so confirm current pricing and funding with the provider, and check whether they need to be NDIS-registered for your situation.
Group programs are often priced per session or per term and can work out cheaper per child than one-on-one therapy. Costs vary widely, so ask each provider for a current quote. NDIS price caps apply where funding is used, and these ranges are general only.
Programs run from toddlerhood through to the teenage years, and many Perth providers group children by age and developmental stage. Early-intervention playgroups suit younger children, while social skills and school-readiness groups often target preschool and primary-school ages. Check the age brackets each provider offers.
Confirm that supervising therapists are registered with the relevant body — Speech Pathology Australia for speech pathologists, AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Australia for OTs, and AHPRA for physiotherapists. Ask about the qualifications and supervision of allied health assistants, and confirm NDIS registration status if you're NDIA-managed.