# What autism and ADHD assessment costs in Australia

> Machine-readable cost reference from AuDHD Australia. Every figure below is a
> published Medicare Benefits Schedule amount or a documented typical fee, with
> the date it was last checked. AuDHD Australia is not a clinic, sets no fees,
> and cannot tell you what an individual practice will charge.

Last checked: 27 August 2026
Jurisdiction: Australia
Source of MBS figures: Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS Online)
Canonical page: https://audhd.org.au/audhd/adhd-assessment-cost-australia/

## Medicare items

### Item 92435 — psychiatrist ADHD assessment by video
- Schedule fee: $549.90
- Medicare benefit: $467.45
- Delivery: telehealth video
- Duration: more than 45 minutes
- Requires: referral from a GP
- Includes: a written management plan sent back to the referring GP
- Frequency: claimable once per patient per 12 months
- Note: psychiatry is exempt from the usual 12-month existing-relationship rule
  for telehealth, so a new patient can be seen by video

### Item 291 — psychiatrist ADHD assessment in person
- Medicare benefit: $467.45
- Note: the same benefit as item 92435. Video attracts no penalty.

## Typical out-of-pocket cost

- Private psychiatrist assessment, before rebate: about $1,400
- What you actually pay: the practice fee minus the Medicare benefit
- The number that matters is the gap, not the headline fee. Ask any clinic what
  you pay after the rebate, in writing, before booking.
- Typical wait to see a psychiatrist: about 12 months

## GP route

- Where a GP can diagnose ADHD, the cost is a standard GP consultation rather
  than a psychiatrist fee. This is materially cheaper.
- Whether a GP can diagnose depends on your state. See the register:
  https://audhd.org.au/audhd/gp-adhd-diagnosis-australia/
- Bulk billing: since 1 November 2025 bulk billing incentives are available for
  all Medicare card holders. Practices that bulk bill 100 per cent of eligible
  services receive an additional 12.5 per cent loading. Whether a given practice
  bulk bills is its own decision.

## Funding, separate from assessment cost

- Autism at Level 2 or Level 3 is on the NDIS List A and usually qualifies
  through capacity evidence.
- Autism at Level 1 may qualify with additional evidence of substantially
  reduced functional capacity.
- ADHD appears on neither List A nor List B. A diagnosis alone does not qualify
  anyone for the NDIS; eligibility is assessed on functional impact.
- As at 31 March 2023, 188 participants had ADHD recorded as their primary
  disability out of 4,864 participants with ADHD, and only 40 of those were
  adults.
- From 1 October 2026, children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or
  autism at low to moderate support needs begin accessing support through
  Thriving Kids rather than the NDIS. Full rollout by 1 January 2028. Children
  with high support needs remain on the NDIS.

## Limits of this file

- These are published schedule amounts and documented typical fees. They are not
  a quote and not financial advice.
- MBS amounts are indexed, usually on 1 July each year. Check MBS Online for the
  current figure before relying on it.
- AuDHD Australia takes no payment from any clinic or organisation and receives
  no referral fees.