A thorough, honest look at how someone experiences the world
An autism assessment in Melbourne is for children, teens and adults – mapping strengths and challenges together, and gives you something practical to act on, whether or not autism is the outcome. For background on what autism actually is, Amaze is a good place to start reading.
- Children, teens and adults
- Comprehensive or brief options
- No referral required
Who Conducts the Assessment?
Provisional vs registered psychologist — what’s the difference?
Our fees are structured around this distinction, so it’s worth understanding upfront.
Provisional Psychologist
Completing their final year of supervised practice. Every report is reviewed and signed off by their individual supervisor before it’s issued, and carries the same standing for schools, workplaces and NDIS applications as a registered psychologist’s report.
Registered Psychologist
Fully qualified and working independently, without a supervision requirement on the report itself.
What It Involves
Interviews, observation, testing – then a clear answer
An autism assessment in Melbourne pulls together observation, structured interviews, standardised testing and feedback from people who know the person well. Each piece adds a different angle, so the final picture isn’t based on any single conversation or checklist.
Why People Go Ahead
What an assessment actually gives you
A name for the experience
Understanding autism as an explanation, not a flaw, often changes how someone — especially a child — sees themselves for the better.
A clear answer
Whether or not the outcome is a diagnosis, you leave with a genuine, evidence-based answer rather than an ongoing guess.
Insight into how the brain works
How someone processes information, communicates and takes in the world — practical detail, not just a label.
A starting point for goals
Specific, informed recommendations for social, communication, emotional or academic support — not generic advice.
What’s Involved
The full assessment, step by step
Comprehensive Interview
Covers early development, behaviour, strengths, interests and current concerns, using the MIGDAS-2 framework alongside a full developmental history.
Play Assessment
Children only
An informal, observed play session — there’s no “right” way to behave here, it’s simply a natural environment to observe social, communication and behavioural patterns.
Kinder or School Observation
Children only
Where relevant, we observe your child at kinder or school to see how they interact with peers and educators in a familiar, structured setting.
Cognitive Assessment
Age-matched Wechsler testing (WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV) to understand how the brain processes information.
- Verbal Comprehension
- Visual-Spatial Reasoning
- Fluid Reasoning
- Working Memory
- Processing Speed
Social-Emotional Questionnaires
Completed by you, and where relevant by parents, teachers, or other people who know you or your child well.
Report and Feedback
A written report covering strengths, challenges, diagnosis (where applicable) and specific recommendations, walked through in a dedicated feedback session. We call again two weeks later to check in on anything that’s come up since.
Getting Ready
How to prepare – and why there’s not much to do
There’s nothing to study or rehearse — this isn’t a test you can prepare for in the usual sense. A little reflection beforehand can still make the interview more useful, if it’s helpful to you.
Looking Back
- For a child: a baby book, old school reports or early videos can jog memories of developmental milestones
- For an adult: it can help to ask a parent or sibling what school and early childhood were actually like
Thinking About Now
- For a child: current play and social preferences, sensory needs, and what they’re genuinely good at
- For an adult: how you learn best, and where your interests and strengths tend to show up
Referral & Funding Options
No referral is required, though it can help to loop in a GP, paediatrician or existing care team.
Medicare (under 25)
A referral under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders item — completed by a paediatrician or psychiatrist — unlocks:
- Up to 8 assessment sessions, usable across allied health providers, rebated at $101.55/session
- Up to 20 treatment sessions with a psychologist, also rebated at $101.55/session
Provisional psychologists aren’t Medicare-eligible, so their sessions don’t attract a rebate — reflected in their lower fee instead.
NDIS
Some assessments may be covered under your NDIS plan – speak to your Local Area Coordinator to find out.
Private Health
Some extras policies offer a partial rebate – speak to your health provider to confirm. Please note that provisional psychologists are not eligible to receive a rebate under some health insurers.
Fees
Comprehensive or brief – whichever fits
Comprehensive Assessment – Child/Adolescent
Provisional Psychologist
$2315
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Play Assessment (1.5hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment)ment (2hrs
- Teacher Consultation (30min)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Report and Feedback (1.5hrs)
Registered Psychologist
$3155
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Play Assessment (1.5hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment)ment (2hrs
- Teacher Consultation (30min)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Report and Feedback (1.5hrs)
Comprehensive Assessment – Adult
Provisional Psychologist
$1870
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Report and Feedback (1.5hrs)
Registered Psychologist
$2550
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Cognitive Assessment (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Report and Feedback (1.5hrs)
If a cognitive assessment has already been completed elsewhere in the last 12 months, the comprehensive assessment fee may reduce — mention this at intake and we’ll confirm whether it applies.
Brief Assessment – Adult
Provisional Psychologist
$1135
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Diagnostic Letter (2-3 pages)
- Feedback (1hrs)
Registered Psychologist
$1535
- Comprehensive Interview (2hrs)
- Social-Emotional Questionnaires
- Diagnostic Letter (2-3 pages)
- Feedback (1hrs)
Looking for other services?
READY TO START THE PROCESS?
Get In Touch
Start with a short intake call — we’ll talk through what’s going on and confirm whether a comprehensive or brief assessment fits best.