Early Childhood Allied Health Support in Brendale
Supporting Early Identification, Development and Connected Care
Lifespan Therapies provides paediatric physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology for children and families across Brendale and the Moreton Bay region.
Families do not need a diagnosis, NDIS plan or referral to access our services. GPs and other health professionals can also refer when developmental concerns emerge or when a family would benefit from further assessment and guidance.
When to Refer
Referral or allied health review may be helpful when there are concerns regarding:
Gross or fine motor development
Head shape, positioning or early movement
Speech, language or communication
Feeding or oral motor development
Sensory regulation
Self-care and everyday participation
Coordination, balance or physical confidence
School readiness
Developmental progress that is slower or different than expected.
Why Refer Early
When a child’s development is uncertain, families don’t always need to simply “wait and see.” An early allied health check-in can help determine whether a child would benefit from reassurance and monitoring, practical strategies to support development, or further assessment and therapy.
Early referral doesn’t mean a child will need ongoing therapy. Sometimes, clarity and the right advice at the right time are all that’s needed — while for children who do need support, identifying concerns early can help families take the next step with confidence.
Developmental Check-Ins
We had also started incorporating your newer early-development pathway.
For babies, the Baby Development Check-In was described as an individual 30-minute consultation, particularly useful around 2–4 months, reviewing areas such as:
movement quality
head shape and positioning
neck movement
tummy time
feeding
early communication
developmental readiness
Not Sure Which Discipline Is Most Appropriate?
You don't need to determine the therapy pathway before referring.
Let us know the developmental concern you've identified and our team can help guide the family towards the most appropriate assessment or support.
Medicare / Referral Pathways
Families can access Lifespan directly because the therapists are first-contact practitioners.
No Referral Required
Chronic Conditions - Allied Health Medicare - EPC Plan
GP referral where the child meets the relevant Medicare requirements, with allied health sessions shared across eligible disciplines.
Medicare M10 Support & Referral Pathway
Step 1 - Assessment Referral
Up to 8 assessment sessions may be available, with up to 4 sessions per referral.
Speech Pathology — 82005
Occupational Therapy — 82010
Physiotherapy — 82030
Psychology — 82000
Assessment sessions must be used before progressing to the GP review and therapy pathway.
Step 2 - GP Review
Once assessment is complete, the child returns to their GP for a review under MBS Item 139.
The GP reviews the assessment findings and, where appropriate, can then refer the child for therapy.
Item 139 can only be claimed once in the child's lifetime.
Step 3 - Therapy
Following the GP review, eligible children can access up to 10 therapy sessions per referral:
Speech Pathology — 82020
Occupational Therapy — 82025
Physiotherapy — 82035
Psychology — 82015
A maximum of 20 therapy sessions across all eligible disciplines is available over the child's lifetime.
Step 4 - Further Referral
If further therapy is clinically appropriate after the first 10 sessions, the child returns to their GP for an additional referral.
This allows access to the remaining eligible therapy sessions, up to the lifetime maximum.
Important Medicare Sequencing
Assessment → GP Review (Item 139) → Therapy
Assessment sessions should be completed before Item 139 is claimed or therapy sessions commence.
Services GP’s Can Refer To
Occupational Therapy
Fine motor development, self-care, sensory regulation, participation, school readiness and everyday functional skills.
Physiotherapy
Early motor development, head shape/positioning, gross motor development, coordination, mobility, physical disability and sports-related concerns.
Speech Pathology
Speech sounds, language, communication, social communication, feeding and oral motor skills.
Refer A Patient
FAQs
Can I refer a child who does not have a diagnosis?
Yes. A diagnosis is not required to access our services. Children may be referred for assessment, developmental concerns, functional difficulties or when further allied health input would help clarify whether support is needed.
Can families access Lifespan while waiting for a paediatrician or other specialist?
Yes. Allied health assessment and support can often begin while a child is awaiting specialist review. Where appropriate, our clinicians can provide assessment findings and information to contribute to the child's broader care.
Does a child need a GP referral to see Lifespan Therapies?
No. Families can access our physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology services directly without a referral. A GP referral may be required where a family wishes to access eligible Medicare-funded services.
Do I need to know which allied health discipline to refer to?
No. If you have identified a developmental or functional concern but are unsure which discipline is most appropriate, you can refer the child to Lifespan Therapies and provide the reason for referral. Our team can help guide the family towards the most appropriate service.
What information is helpful to include in a referral?
Please include the reason for referral, relevant developmental or medical history, current concerns and any diagnoses, investigations or other services involved where relevant. This helps our clinicians understand the referral context and coordinate care.
Will you communicate outcomes back to the referring practitioner?
Where appropriate and with family consent, our clinicians can communicate relevant assessment findings, recommendations and progress with the child's GP and other professionals involved in their care.
Do you only see NDIS participants?
No. Lifespan Therapies supports children and families through a range of access pathways, including private services and eligible Medicare pathways. An NDIS plan is not required to access our services.
What ages do you support?
We support children and young people across development, from babies requiring early developmental support through to school-aged children and young people.
Where are services provided?
Our paediatric allied health clinic is located in Brendale, supporting families across Moreton Bay and surrounding areas. Depending on the service and clinical need, support may also occur in community environments.
How do I refer a patient?
Referrals can be sent directly to Lifespan Therapies at enquires@lifespantherapies.com.au