The Australian Government is seeking applications from early intervention service providers to join the new Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) Service Provider Panel.

Under the Better Start initiative, from 1 July 2011 children aged under six years who have been diagnosed with moderate or greater sight or hearing impairments including deafblindness, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or Fragile X syndrome will be able to register to access early intervention funding of up to $12,000 (to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year).

Families will have until their child turns seven to use the early intervention funding.

Allied health professionals who are qualified and experienced in the disciplines of audiology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, orthoptics, physiotherapy or psychology are invited to apply for membership of the Panel as sole providers.

Multidisciplinary early intervention services and consortia which include or can demonstrate a professional relationship with an allied health professional from the listed disciplines are also encouraged to apply.

The Better Start initiative also includes a one-off payment of $2,000 for eligible families living in outer regional and remote areas. As access to services is limited for these families, this payment will assist with travel, home visits and similar expenses.

Eligible children can register for the Better Start early intervention funding by contacting the Registration and Information Service, managed by Carers Australia, from 1 July.

From 1 July, new Medicare items will be introduced as part of the Better Start initiative. The new items will be available for children up to the age of 15 provided their treatment and management plan is in place before the age of 13.

The Medicare component of the Better Start initiative is being implemented by the Department of Health and Ageing.  Further information can be found at
www.mbsonline.gov.au and www.health.gov.au

For more information about Better Start and the Panel, please visit www.fahcsia.gov.au/betterstart, call 1800 989 530 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it