Why is an autism assessment so expensive?
- Liz Smalley
- Nov 27, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Ever wondered why assessments are so expensive? Here's some of the reasons.
Why Are Autism Assessments So Expensive?
Many people wonder why autism assessments cost what they do. I understand that this can feel like a significant financial burden for families, so I’d like to share some insights into what’s involved in providing these services.
I share this to help you understand the level of expertise and care that goes into every assessment I provide. A comprehensive autism assessment can provide life-changing benefits, including:
Accessing NDIS funding for therapies, respite, equipment, or personal care.
Tailored recommendations for school or workplace adjustments.
Insights into how autism impacts daily life, empowering individuals and families with greater understanding.
Accessing carer and/or disability pension and home schooling allowance for families taking that path.
Access to school funding (with a second opinion as required by the Ed Dept)
I strive to make every assessment meaningful and impactful because I know how important these outcomes are for individuals and families navigating autism.
Becoming a psychologist requires years of rigorous training and significant personal investment. My journey included:
A 4-year undergraduate degree with honours.
A 2-year master’s degree with unpaid work placements alongside academic study.
Two additional years of paid supervision to gain endorsements in both clinical and counselling psychology.
Further training in autism assessments, which involves specialised tools and workshops costing thousands of dollars.
In total, it took over 8 years of education, training, and supervision to become qualified to provide high-quality autism assessments. This process also meant six years without income while studying full-time and completing placements.
The Process Takes Time
An autism assessment is a comprehensive process that involves much more than just the face-to-face interview. Here's a breakdown of the typical time commitment:
Face-to-Face Sessions: These include interviews and feedback sessions, which can take up to three hours.
Scoring and Analysis: After the interview, there are several hours spent coding and scoring assessments, often around two hours.
Report Preparation: Writing a detailed, individualised report can take four hours or more. This includes summarizing findings, making recommendations, and preparing NDIS reports.
In total, an autism assessment can require around nine hours or more of professional time. This extensive process is akin to an iceberg—while the visible part is the interview, there is a substantial amount of work done behind the scenes. The hourly rate for a clinical psychologist is just over $300/hour and more for someone with experitse and experience in specific areas such as assessment.
Medicare Support and Rebates
One of the significant factors contributing to the cost of autism assessments is the limited support from Medicare. Currently, Medicare rebates for autism assessments are only available for individuals under the age of 25 who have a referral from a specialist, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Getting a specialist referral can be expensive and time-consuming, adding to the overall cost. For those over 25 or without a specialist referral, there are no Medicare rebates available, meaning the full cost of the assessment must be covered out-of-pocket.
Why Choose a Comprehensive Assessment?
A comprehensive autism assessment with a detailed report offers benefits beyond simply getting a diagnosis. One key advantage is supporting access to services such as NDIS funding. For people seeking NDIS support, evidence is essential to demonstrate how autism impacts daily functioning across areas like communication, mobility, social interaction, learning, self-care, and self-management.
The NDIS requires detailed documentation for eligibility purposes—especially for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), where additional evidence is often needed to show reduced functional capacity. A thorough assessment provides this evidence in a structured and reliable way, ensuring that applications meet NDIS requirements.
Comprehensive assessments can guide families and individuals toward tailored interventions and supports that address specific needs. Whether it’s accessing funding for therapy or getting adjustments at school or work, having clear evidence from an assessment ensures that you receive appropriate support.
A less expensive assessment, that gives a diagnosis but not a report is a reasonable option if you just want a diagnosis in writing, but don't need a report or recommnedations. The limitation of the diagnosis only is that you won't learn anything new. It may not explain why you experience life differently. As long you understand the limitations it can be a great alternative that saves you money. If you later want a report, I can write up all your results and make recommendations.
Additional Costs
Beyond the time and training, there are other costs associated with running a psychology practice:
These factors, combined with the lack of comprehensive Medicare support, contribute to the overall cost of autism assessments, making them more expensive than less comprehensive evaluations.
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