Research shows that early intervention therapies from expert health
professionals deliver real benefits to children with disability to help them
develop to their full potential.
The Federal Government’s Better Start for Children
with Disability initiative, introduced from 1 July 2011, will ensure children
have access to intensive early intervention treatments.
Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, sight and hearing impairments, Down
syndrome or fragile X syndrome can be registered for services under Better Start.
The Better Start program includes:
- Up to $12,000 in funding for early intervention services for children under six years
- An additional $2,000 payment for families in outer regional and remote areas
- Medicare items for up to four diagnostic therapy services for children under 13 years
- Medicare items for 20 therapy services for children under 15 years, provided the treatment
and management plan is in place before the age of 13
For further details, please download our Better Start Information Sheet.
CPL’s Better Start Services
The Cerebral Palsy League (CPL) is a non-profit organisation that provides vital support and services to over 5,000 children and adults with cerebral palsy and related disabilities. We were set up more than 60 years ago by concerned parents who wanted services that better met the needs of their children with cerebral palsy.
We are a registered service provider with Better Start and our therapists provide a holistic approach to meet each child’s needs. Our therapists work together to develop a personalised program to help children and adults achieve their goals in life.
You can access the following CPL services with Better Start funding:
- Speech pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
For more information, please read about our children's allied health services.
What CPL Offers
Our therapists work together to help children achieve important life milestones and develop to their full potential.
Our therapists provide:
- Advice and support on how you and your family can get the most out of Better Start
- Early intervention services to help your child be better prepared for school and to more fully participate in their community
- Holistic, integrated therapy services to meet all your child’s needs
- Individual programs tailored to your child’s needs
- Flexible services offered outside of business hours
- More choice, so you can choose your child’s therapy and therapists
To view CPL's current
Schedule of Fees, please
click here.
Registration process
Carers Australia will coordinate the Better Start registration and information service to:
- Confirm a child’s eligibility, including confirming evidence of diagnosis
- Register each child
- Provide information to parents and carers about the initiative
- Issue a letter of introduction to access services from CPL and other panel providers
Families will need to register with their GP to access services under Medicare.
Eligibility
According to the Federal Government’s Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA), all children with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy will have access to services under the Better Start program.
Accessing Medicare
Families of children in Queensland aged from 7 to 13 years diagnosed with cerebral palsy, sight and hearing impairments, Down syndrome or fragile X syndrome should visit their local GP to discuss new Medicare items offered under the Federal Government’s Better Start Program.
These families will be able to claim a Medicare rebate from a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The medical practitioner can also refer children to a range of therapists for four diagnostic therapy sessions and up to 20 therapy sessions in total for speech pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology services.
For further details, please download our Better Start - Accessing Medicare Information Sheet.
Further Information
Cerebral Palsy League
T. 07 3358 8103
E. betterstart@cplqld.org.au
FAHCSIA
T. 1800 989 530
E. Better.Start@fahcsia.gov.au
W. www.fahcsia.gov.au/betterstart
Carers Australia
W. www.carersaustralia.com.au