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From 1 March 2026, Medicare expanded eligibility under the existing M10 item group. This change may give some children and young people greater access to Medicare rebates for speech pathology assessment and treatment.
Eligible people under 25 may be able to access Medicare rebates for specific speech conditions, including stuttering, speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria and cleft lip and/or palate.
For families, this provides another possible Medicare pathway to help with the cost of speech pathology services.
What Changed for Speech Pathology in 2026?
The Medicare M10 pathway is not a new Medicare program.
From 1 March 2026, the Australian Government expanded the list of conditions that may be eligible under the existing pathway.
The additional speech-related conditions include:
- stuttering
- articulation disorders
- phonological disorders
- childhood apraxia of speech, sometimes called developmental verbal dyspraxia or speech apraxia
- dysarthria
- cleft lip and/or palate
This means some children and young people with these conditions may now have another Medicare option for speech pathology assessment or treatment.
Who May Be Eligible for Medicare M10 Speech Pathology?
- be under 25 years of age
- have a Medicare card
- not be admitted to hospital
- have a valid referral from a GP, specialist or consultant physician
- be suspected of having, or have a diagnosis of, an eligible condition.
Your GP, paediatrician, specialist or other treating doctor can help determine whether this pathway is appropriate.
Is Developmental Language Disorder Included?
LDevelopmental Language Disorder (DLD) was not included as a new eligible speech-related condition in the March 2026 Medicare M10 expansion.
However, this does not necessarily mean that a child or young person with language or communication difficulties cannot access Medicare-funded allied health services.
Some people may be eligible through another Medicare pathway depending on their diagnosis, health needs and individual circumstances.
Families should discuss available options with their GP, paediatrician or treating doctor.
How Many M10 Speech Pathology Sessions Can You Access?
One important difference between M10 and some other Medicare pathways is that M10 uses lifetime limits rather than yearly limits.
Assessment Services
An eligible person may access up to 8 allied health assessment services over their lifetime.
These services are shared across eligible allied health professions and may be used to assist with diagnosis or contribute to a treatment and management plan.
Treatment Services
An eligible person may access up to 20 allied health treatment services over their lifetime.
A treatment referral may include up to 10 services.
If further treatment is recommended, another referral may be required to access additional services, up to the lifetime maximum of 20.
M10 services must be used before the person turns 25.
What Are the Medicare M10 Speech Pathology Item Numbers?
The main speech pathology M10 item numbers include:
Assessment
- 82005 – face-to-face speech pathology assessment
- 93033 – video speech pathology assessment
- 93041 – telephone speech pathology assessment
Treatment
- 82020 – face-to-face speech pathology treatment
- 93036 – video speech pathology treatment
- 93044 – telephone speech pathology treatment
Medicare requirements can change, so families and providers should confirm current requirements before accessing services.
How Do You Get an M10 Referral?
The M10 pathway usually starts with an appointment with your GP, specialist or consultant physician.
If your doctor suspects an eligible condition, they may:
- make a diagnosis where appropriate
- refer you to an eligible allied health professional, such as a speech pathologist, for further assessment
- refer you to a specialist or consultant physician if further medical assessment is required.
If an eligible condition is diagnosed, the doctor prepares a treatment and management plan before referring the person for Medicare-rebated allied health treatment.
The speech pathologist may also need to provide relevant assessment or treatment information back to the referring doctor.
Does Medicare Cover the Full Cost of Speech Pathology?
Medicare provides a rebate towards the cost of eligible M10 speech pathology services.
Speech pathologists set their own professional fees, so the Medicare rebate may not cover the full appointment fee.
This means there may be an out-of-pocket or gap payment.
Before starting therapy, ask your speech pathology provider about:
- which Medicare item applies to your appointment.
- appointment fees
- the Medicare rebate
- any expected gap payment
Can You Use M10 and a Chronic Condition Management Plan?
The Medicare M10 pathway and the GP Chronic Condition Management Plan are separate Medicare pathways.
A person who meets the eligibility requirements for both may be able to access services through each pathway, subject to Medicare’s claiming requirements.
The Chronic Condition Management pathway generally provides access to up to five eligible allied health services per calendar year, shared across eligible allied health professions.
M10 services have separate lifetime limits.
The same appointment cannot be claimed through more than one funding pathway.
How Can Speech Pathology Help?
Speech pathology support will depend on the person’s diagnosis, communication strengths and individual needs.
Assessment or treatment may support areas such as:
- speech sound production
- speech clarity
- stuttering and fluency
- childhood apraxia of speech
- dysarthria and other motor speech difficulties
- communication associated with cleft lip and/or palate.
A speech pathology assessment can help identify a person’s communication strengths, difficulties and functional needs. It can also help determine appropriate recommendations for treatment and support.
Using a Medicare M10 Referral at Innerlink Therapy
Innerlink Therapy provides speech pathology assessment and therapy from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney.
If you have received a Medicare M10 referral, our Client Care Team can help determine whether Innerlink Therapy can provide the speech pathology service listed on your referral.
We recommend providing a copy of your referral before your appointment. This allows our team to check the service requested and confirm the relevant Medicare item.
For more information about our speech pathology services, Medicare and funding options, or booking an appointment, contact Innerlink Therapy on (02) 8065 1197 or info@innerlinktherapy.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medicare M10 only for children? The pathway is available to eligible people under 25 years of age. Eligibility also depends on the person’s condition, referral and other Medicare requirements.
Does an M10 referral cover all speech pathology conditions? No. The pathway applies to specific eligible conditions. Developmental Language Disorder and general language delay were not included as new speech-specific conditions in the March 2026 expansion.
Do M10 sessions reset every year? No. M10 uses lifetime limits, not annual limits.
Will Medicare pay the whole speech pathology fee? Not necessarily. Medicare provides a rebate towards eligible services, but a gap payment may apply depending on the provider’s fees.
Do I need a referral before seeing a speech pathologist? You can see a speech pathologist privately without an M10 referral. However, a valid referral and the relevant Medicare requirements must be met if you want to claim an M10 Medicare rebate.
This information is general in nature and does not replace individual medical or Medicare advice. Medicare eligibility, item requirements and claiming rules can change. Families should confirm their individual eligibility and referral requirements with their treating doctor and Medicare.