A private autism assessment at CHSA costs $2,000, the same fee for children and adults. It includes a phone call, one in-person assessment, a written report and a feedback session, and you don't usually need a referral from a GP or paediatrician. Medicare has a separate pathway for people under 25, but it works differently and doesn't apply to private assessments like ours.
Prepared by Trevor Keen Founder and Physiotherapist · Reviewed 25 October 2026 |
This guide explains what you pay for, what the assessment involves, how the Medicare pathway for people under 25 works, and how public and private options compare in South Australia.
At a glance
| ✓ | At CHSA, an assessment is a phone call, one in-person assessment, a written report and a feedback session. |
| ✓ | You can book directly: no GP or paediatrician referral is usually needed for a private assessment. |
| ✓ | CHSA's assessments are privately funded, not by Medicare or the NDIS. |
| ✓ | Medicare has a separate pathway for people under 25. It starts with your GP and goes through a paediatrician or psychiatrist, who makes the diagnosis. |
| ✓ | The NDIS doesn't fund diagnostic assessments. |
In this guide
An autism assessment builds a detailed understanding of how a person communicates, interacts and experiences the world. At CHSA it usually includes a pre-assessment interview (by phone or in person), one assessment in clinic of about 2.5 to 3 hours, then report writing and a feedback session of 30 minutes to 1 hour (in person or by phone). The report is usually ready within 2 to 3 weeks. The steps are:
| 1 | Intake interview With parents or carers, or the adult being assessed. |
| 2 | Developmental history Early milestones, and current strengths and challenges. |
| 3 | Observation and standardised tools Structured activities and assessment measures. |
| 4 | Questionnaires From family members and, where relevant, teachers. |
| 5 | Report and feedback A written report with findings and recommendations, talked through in a feedback session. |
Autism looks different in every person. A careful assessment brings together several interactions: an interview, observation, questionnaires and a detailed report. It also takes time to consider other explanations, such as anxiety, ADHD, language differences or trauma, which can look similar or occur alongside autism.
Most of the cost is clinician time, face to face and behind the scenes: scoring, and writing a report that schools, doctors and funding bodies can use.
At CHSA, assessments are carried out by our experienced registered psychologists. The diagnosis stands on its own, without a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Assessments are done face to face in clinic. If you have questions about what you might need, reach out and we can help.
Read more about autism assessments at CHSA, for children and adults.
Thinking about an autism assessment?
Our psychologists offer child and adult autism assessments at our Salisbury and Seacliff clinics.
Book or referCall 08 8166 4700Not for a private assessment at CHSA. Medicare does have a separate pathway for people under 25, but it works quite differently: it involves more steps and more people, and the diagnosis is made by a paediatrician or psychiatrist rather than a psychologist. Some families choose it when cost is the main concern, and your GP can talk you through which pathway suits you.
| 1 | Start with your GP The Medicare pathway starts with a GP appointment. If your GP suspects a complex neurodevelopmental condition, they refer you to a paediatrician or psychiatrist. |
| 2 | See a paediatrician or psychiatrist They decide whether they can diagnose, or whether they need more information from allied health professionals, such as a psychologist. |
| 3 | Allied health assessments, if needed With the specialist's referral, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 8 allied health assessments per lifetime. The allied health professional reports back to the specialist. |
| 4 | The specialist diagnoses Under Medicare, only a paediatrician or psychiatrist can diagnose. They review the reports and decide. |
| 5 | Treatment afterwards After a diagnosis, the specialist prepares a treatment and management plan. Medicare then covers up to 20 allied health treatment services per lifetime, up to 10 per referral. |
This pathway is for people under 25 with a Medicare card. Read the details in the Department of Health's fact sheet and its Medicare services collection.
Good to know
Our private assessments are separate from this pathway
CHSA assessments are carried out privately by our psychologists, so the Medicare assessment rebates don't apply to them. You don't usually need a GP or paediatrician referral to book with us. CHSA assessments are privately funded, with no Medicare or NDIS funding.
Public child development services assess children at no cost, including the Child Development Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital and the Gordon McKay Child Development Unit in Elizabeth. They have eligibility criteria, and waits are often more than a year. Your GP or paediatrician can tell you which service covers your area.
Private assessments cost more but usually have shorter waits, and you can choose your clinician.
No. The NDIS doesn't fund diagnostic assessments; diagnosis is the health system's job, and a diagnosis is often part of showing you may be eligible for the NDIS. If you're already an NDIS participant, some assessments linked to your plan goals, such as functional assessments, may be funded. Talk to your support coordinator or plan manager.
Not for a private assessment at CHSA. Medicare has a separate pathway for people under 25. It starts with a GP, goes through a paediatrician or psychiatrist who makes the diagnosis, and rebates up to 8 allied health assessments per lifetime.
Not usually for a private assessment at CHSA: you can complete our online referral form yourself. The Medicare pathway needs your GP to refer you to a paediatrician or psychiatrist first.
An adult autism assessment at CHSA costs $2,000, including the sessions, a written report and a feedback session. Read more about adult autism assessments.
The assessment is still useful. The report describes your child's strengths and challenges, and may point to other explanations, such as anxiety, ADHD or a language difference, with recommendations for support.
Ask us about autism assessments
We'll explain the options, costs and what happens next, for children, teens and adults.
Book or referSee our feesPrepared by
Trevor Keen Founder, Conscious Healthcare SA · Physiotherapist (AHPRA PHY0002063374) · Master of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Psychological Studies, Flinders University |
Trevor is a physiotherapist whose lived experience of disability led him to found CHSA, bringing psychology, assessments, occupational therapy, behaviour support and dietetics under one roof in Adelaide. He has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Studies at Flinders University, is now studying psychology at honours level, and helps write our guides alongside the clinicians who deliver each service.
Sources
This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. Speak with your GP or one of our team about what's right for you.