At a glance
- The WA Department of Education has specific rules about which autism diagnoses it will accept for school funding.
- Your child’s diagnosis must come from two eligible practitioners from different disciplines who agree on the diagnosis and level of severity.
- A consensus statement is essential – reports or letters should clearly show that practitioners conferred and agree.
- A diagnosis that works for NDIS or health services may not automatically meet school funding requirements in Western Australia.
- Schools, not parents, submit the application for an Individual Disability Allocation (IDA), and funding is allocated to the school to support students with disability.
In Western Australia, not every autism diagnosis will be accepted by the Department of Education (DoE) for school-based disability funding.
This guide explains:
- Which combinations of professionals can provide a diagnosis that meets DoE requirements
- What “consensus diagnosis” means
- What documents you need to give the school
- Common questions parents ask about school funding and support
Contents
Why school funding requirements for autism are different in WA
In Western Australia, the Department of Education, NDIS, and health services all have their own rules about assessment and evidence. An autism diagnosis that works for one system may not automatically work for another.
For school disability funding in WA, the Department of Education has specific rules about:
- Which professionals can diagnose autism
- Which combinations of professionals they will accept
- How consensus must be shown in reports and letters
The Department of Education uses this information to decide whether your child is eligible for an Individual Disability Allocation (IDA), the main funding mechanism schools use to support students with disability.
Understanding these requirements before you book assessments can help you choose the right professionals, avoid having to “repeat” assessments, reduce delays in getting support at school
Who needs to sign off on my child's autism diagnosis?
To be accepted for disability resourcing in WA public schools, the Department of Education requires that you child’s autism diagnosis must be made by:
- Two eligible practitioners,
- From different disciplines,
- Who agree on the diagnosis and level of support.
The Department accepts any one of the following combinations:
Option 1: Paediatrician or Psychiatrist + one allied health professional
A diagnosis can be accepted if it is made by:
Paediatrician or Psychiatrist PLUS ONE of the following:
- Speech Pathologist
- Psychologist
- Occupational Therapist
This is one of the most common pathways for children in Perth and regional WA, especially when a paediatrician is already involved in care.
Option 2: Endorsed Psychologist + another allied health professional
Another accepted combination is:
Clinical Psychologist or Neuropsychologist or Educational & Developmental Psychologist PLUS ONE of the following:
- Speech Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
Not accepted in this role:
- Registered Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist Registrar
- Neuropsychology Registrar
- Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar
A registrar is a psychologist who is still completing specialist training and is not yet fully endorsed in that specialty, so they can’t be counted as the clinical-level diagnosing psychologist for DoE.
Option 3: Paediatrician + Psychiatrist
The Department of Education will also accept a diagnosis from:
Paediatrician PLUS Psychiatrist
This pathway may be less common but can be relevant if your child is already seeing both specialists.
Important things to know about diagnostic requirements
Different systems, different rules
The diagnostic and reporting requirements for:
- NDIS,
- WA Department of Education,
- and other services
are not the same.
Action step:
Before you book assessments, check that your chosen pathway will meet the requirements of the systems you need (e.g. school funding, NDIS, Child Development Service).
This can save time, money, and delays.
Consensus diagnosis is essential
For DoE purposes, the assessment reports must clearly show that the diagnosis was made by consensus.
This means:
- All involved clinicians must agree that your child meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- They must agree on the diagnostic level:
- Level 1 – requiring support
- Level 2 – requiring substantial support
- Level 3 – requiring very substantial support
Practitioners must be from different disciplines
A key WA Department of Education rule is that the two practitioners who provide consensus must be from different disciplines or specialties.
Examples that usually meet this requirement:
- Paediatrician + Speech Pathologist
- Paediatrician + Psychologist
- Psychiatrist + Clinical Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist + Speech Pathologist
- Clinical Psychologist + Occupational Therapist
Where “Clinical Psychologist” is listed, accepted alternatives include a Neuropsychologist or Educational and Developmental Psychologist.
Examples that do not meet this requirement on their own:
- Clinical Psychologist + Registered Psychologist
- Educational and Developmental Psychologist + Registered Psychologist
These combinations are all from the same discipline (psychology), so they are not considered “different disciplines” for Department of Education purposes.
This is one of the most common areas of confusion for Perth families. A comprehensive psychological assessment alone, even if excellent clinically, may not be enough for school funding unless a second eligible professional from a different discipline confirms the diagnosis.
Registered psychologist assessments require paediatrician or psychiatrist sign off
If a Registered Psychologist conducts the autism assessment, the DoE requires that:
- A Paediatrician or Psychiatrist must review and agree with the diagnosis and level of severity, and
- Provide written confirmation to show consensus.
How WA school funding for autism works: Individual Disability Allocation (IDA)
Once your child has a diagnosis that meets the Department of Education requirements, the next step is school-based funding.
What is the Individual Disability Allocation (IDA)?
The Individual Disability Allocation (IDA) is the main way WA public schools receive targeted funding to support students with disability, including autistic students.
For your child, an approved IDA can help the school:
- Provide reasonable adjustments in the classroom
- Access education assistant time
- Change teaching approaches or the learning environment
- Provide specialised equipment or technology
The Department applies clear criteria and requires evidence from medical and allied health professionals to decide:
- Whether your child is eligible
- What level of funding the school will receive
Importantly, this funding is allocated to the school, not directly to families. The Principal and school leadership team then decide how to use these resources across students with additional needs.
Interim support while you're waiting for autism assessment
Waitlists for autism assessment in Perth and regional WA can be long. The Department of Education recognises this and allows schools to apply for interim support in some situations.
Your child may be eligible for an interim Individual Disability Allocation (IDA) if the school can provide a letter from an assessing practitioner or government agency confirming that your child:
- Has been accepted for an autism assessment, and
- Is on a waitlist or
- Has a scheduled assessment.
A referral letter or a request for consent is not enough on its own. The school needs formal confirmation that your child is in the assessment process.
An interim IDA is not available if:
- Your child previously did not meet autism criteria, and
- Is being re-referred for assessment.
If you’re unsure whether your child might qualify for interim support, ask your school to check the current Department of Education guidelines.
Who applies for school funding in WA - parents or schools?
School staff complete and submit the application on your behalf. Often this is the Deputy Principal or Learning Support Coordinator.
The Department of Education reviews the application to check whether it meets criteria. If approved, the school receives a funding level related to the level of adjustment required for your child.
Once funding is allocated, the Principal and school team then decide how to:
- Allocate education assistant time
- Organise learning support teams
- Make adjustments in the classroom and playground
- Plan staffing and resources for students with disability, including your child
As a parent, you can stay involved by:
- Sharing relevant reports and letters
- Attending meetings to discuss your child’s needs
- Asking how the school plans to support your child day to day
What documentation do WA schools need for autism funding applications?
To support an application for an Individual Disability Allocation for autism, you will usually need to provide:
- A signed letter from eligible practitioner/s, or
- A statement within a full assessment report that clearly includes all required information.
The letter or statement should:
State the diagnosis e.g. “Autism Spectrum Disorder”
State the current level(s) of severity
- Level 1 – requiring support
- Level 2 – requiring substantial support
- Level 3 – requiring very substantial support
Specify whether the diagnosis is:
- with or without intellectual impairment
- with or without accompanying language impairment
List the names and professional roles of the diagnosing practitioners
e.g. Dr Jane Smith, Paediatrician; John Brown, Clinical Psychologist
Confirm consensus if a team completed the assessment
A clear statement that all practitioners have conferred and agree with the diagnosis and level(s) of severity.
If the assessment was undertaken by a single practitioner (for example, a paediatrician, or one psychologist), the DoE requires a supporting statement from a second eligible practitioner confirming that:
- They have reviewed the assessment and/or conducted their own assessment as needed
- They have conferred with the first practitioner
- They agree with the diagnosis and levels of severity.
What if I don't agree with the outcome?
If you’re concerned about the school’s decision about funding or adjustments.
- Start with the school
- Talk to your child’s classroom teacher or year coordinator.
- If needed, ask to speak with the Deputy Principal or Principal.
- Keep the focus on your child’s day-to-day needs and how they are managing at school.
2. Ask the school to explain:
- What information they used to make decisions
- What adjustments are currently in place
- Whether an IDA application was made, and the outcome
- Whether any further evidence may be helpful
3. Consider whether you need:
- Further clarification from the assessing clinicians
- Updated reports if your child’s needs have changed
- A second opinion from another eligible practitioner
If you still feel stuck, you might find it helpful to connect with local parent support organisations or advocacy services who understand the WA school system.
How to choose the right assessment pathway in Perth and WA?
Many Perth families ask:
“Should we start with a paediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist or OT?”
“How do we make sure our child’s autism diagnosis will be accepted for school and NDIS?”
There’s no single “right” pathway, but these steps can help:
Clarify your goals early
- Do you need evidence for school funding, NDIS, or both?
- Are there other concerns (e.g. ADHD, language delay, learning difficulties)?
Check WA requirements before you book
- Use summaries like this guide and the Perth Kids Hub handout.
- Ask potential providers if they are familiar with WA Department of Education and NDIS requirements.
Ask about team arrangements
- Can they work within an accepted combination (e.g. Paediatrician + Psychologist, or Clinical Psychologist + Speech Pathologist)?
- Will they arrange consensus with another eligible practitioner?
Consider practical factors
- Wait times in your area (Perth metro vs regional WA)
- Whether the service provides comprehensive reports that meet school needs
- Experience with autistic children of similar age to your child
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if the diagnosis was done interstate or overseas?
Many families move to WA after an assessment has already been done elsewhere.
The DoE may accept an interstate or overseas diagnosis if:
- You can provide a signed letter or report that:
- Clearly states the diagnosis and level of severity
- Meets the information requirements outlined above
- Includes consensus from two eligible practitioners from different disciplines
If your child was diagnosed by only one practitioner (for example, just a paediatrician), you will need:
- A second practitioner from a different discipline (e.g. psychiatrist, psychologist, speech pathologist, or occupational therapist)
- To review the assessment and your child’s current presentation,
- And provide a signed statement confirming a consensus diagnosis and level of severity.
Why won't the Department accept my child's autism diagnosis by a Psychologist and Speech Pathologist?
Under the Department of Education’s guidelines an autism diagnosis completed by a Registered Psychologist requires sign off by a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist (see Option 1), even if it has been completed with another practitioner like a speech pathologist.
If using Option 2, please be aware that the WA Department of Education does not accept the following:
- Registered Psychologist
- Clinical Psychology Registrar
- Neuropsychology Registrar
- Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar.
This is because the WA Department of Education requires that:
- Psychologists have a practice endorsement in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology and/or educational/developmental psychology if they are acting as the lead practitioner in an autism diagnostic evaluation as recommended in the Autism CRC’s guidelines for the assessment and diagnosis of autism in Australia
- A registrar is a psychologist still completing advanced specialist training and is not yet fully endorsed in that specialty
- The diagnosis is made by two practitioners from different disciplines/specialties, which means the Department of Education will not accept an autism diagnosis completed by a Clinical Psychologist and a Registered Psychologist as they are from the same discipline (psychology).
What if my child has other diagnoses too?
Many autistic children also have:
- ADHD
- Language disorder
- Intellectual disability
- Anxiety or other mental health conditions
These co-occurring conditions can also affect learning and participation. Schools consider the overall picture of your child’s needs when planning adjustments.
It can be helpful for reports to clearly describe all relevant diagnoses and functional impacts.
How long does this process usually take?
Wait times for autism assessments can vary widely between practitioners from almost immediate availability to 6-12 month waitlists with paediatricians or child and adolescent psychiatrists.
An interim IDA may be available if:
- Your child is accepted for an assessment and is on a waitlist or has a date booked
- And you can provide written confirmation from the assessing service.
Next steps: support for Perth families
If you’re a parent in Perth or elsewhere in Western Australia and you’re unsure where to start:
- Talk to your GP, paediatrician or school about your concerns
- Check that your planned assessment pathway will meet WA Department of Education requirements.
- Use the Perth Kids Hub downloadable handout as a quick reference when you’re speaking with clinicians and schools.
- Find autism assessment providers here
- Find paediatricians and psychiatrists
The right team of professionals, and open communication with your child’s school can make the process smoother and help your child access the learning support they deserve.
Reviewed May 2026
Speak with your school for up-to-date and personalised advice on your child’s situation.
References
- Department of Education (2023) Inquiry into support for autistic children and young people in schools, Submission to the Education and Health Standing Committee http://tinyurl.com/3w7xauem
- Department of Education Students with Special Education Needs (Accessed 13 May 2026)
- Department of Education Student Centred Funding Model (Accessed 13 May 2026)
- Department of Education Funding Public Schools (Accessed 13 May 2026)
DISCLAIMER:
This information has been prepared by Perth Kids Hub for general parent education purposes only. The information provided is based on guidance and feedback shared with us regarding autism diagnosis requirements for Western Australian Department of Education disability resourcing processes at the time of publication. Requirements, policies and interpretation may change at any time, and the Department of Education is not obliged to notify Perth Kids Hub of these changes.
While we aim to provide accurate and practical information, Perth Kids Hub does not guarantee that this information is current, complete or accepted in every individual circumstance. Families are strongly encouraged to confirm the latest requirements directly with their child’s school or relevant school contact, such as the Principal, Deputy Principal, Learning Support Coordinator or school psychologist, before proceeding with an assessment.
