WA No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
Run by: Anglicare WA
What it is: a program that provides no-interest loans for essential goods and services up to $2,000. This can include diagnostic assessments for your child or yourself.
Who it’s for: low income earners who are able to repay the loan over 12 to 24 months.
Cost: free to apply. There are no fees, no interest. You only repay what you borrow.
Find out more: WA No Interest Loan Scheme – Anglicare WA 🔗
Patches subsidised autism assessments
Supported by: The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation
What it is: Subsidised autism diagnostic assessments for families experiencing financial hardship.
Patches understands how critical early diagnosis is for accessing therapy, school support, and NDIS funding. Their one-stop model means your family works with the same team (speech pathologist, psychologist, and paediatrician) throughout the process — helping make things easier and less stressful.
Eligibility: Families experiencing financial hardship.
Process:
- Complete an Expression of Interest and Financial Circumstance Questionnaire.
- Attend an initial consultation with a speech pathologist.
- If autism is likely, the assessment continues with psychology and paediatric assessments.
- Families receive feedback and recommendations for next steps.
Contact:
🌐 patches.com.au
📧 hello@patches.com.au
📞 1300 111 728
Kids Are Kids! Autism Assessment Scholarships
What it is: A limited number of Autism Assessment Scholarships offered to families facing delays or financial hardship in accessing a diagnostic assessment.
Eligibility:
- Open to children in the Perth metro area
- Regional families can apply if they can fund travel to Perth for the assessment
While the 2025 round is now closed, it’s worth keeping an eye on their website and social media for future openings.
Learn more: Kids Are Kids! Autism Assessment Scholarships
Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation (DSF)
For families concerned about specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, DSF provides subsidised assessments and therapeutic services for eligible students in WA public schools.
This is made possible through a partnership with the WA Department of Education, meaning some students can access reduced-cost or fully subsidised assessments.
How it works:
- Speak to your child’s school psychologist — they can assess your child’s needs and refer to DSF if appropriate.
- DSF also accepts direct enquiries from families.
Contact DSF:
🌐 dsf.net.au
📞 08 9217 2500
Child Development Services (Public Pathway)
You can refer your child or be referred to the Child Development Service (CDS).
These services are provided by the WA State Government and are free. They include speech pathology, occupational therapy, and developmental assessments. However, wait times can be very long, often up to or beyond three years so it’s helpful to stay on the waitlist even if you also explore private or subsidised options.
Final thoughts
Getting a diagnosis can open doors to support at school, access to the NDIS, and a clearer understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.
If finances are standing in the way, please know that there are some options available. Even if it takes time to find the right path, every step you take brings you closer to getting your child the help they deserve.
✨ Tip: Always ask clinics whether they offer payment plans or ways of easing the up-front financial cost. Some providers may offer reduced fees for families experiencing hardship.
