Patient information

We require all referrals to be sent to us prior to making an appointment. These will be passed on to our Triage Team who will contact you in due course to inform you of the next steps in organising an appointment.

Please send referrals to neuropsychology@mqhealth.org.au.

Referrals should include patient demographics (contact number, date of birth), patient background, a list of symptoms that are prompting the need for an assessment, and what you are being referred for (eg ADHD, ASD, dementia, capacity etc).

Who can refer me to your clinic?

Your GP or medical specialist (eg neurologist, psychiatrist), public health services, mental health services or school counsellors, can refer you for assessment and/or management of brain-related conditions.

How can I contact you?

• Send referrals to neuropsychology@mqhealth.org.au.
• For general enquiries call +61 (2) 9812 3997.

What happens after I book my appointment?

You will receive a confirmation email with details related to your appointment. This will include the date, time, location, specialist, and may include forms that will need to be completed prior to your appointment.

How long should I allow for my first appointment?

Most assessments take three to four hours. This can vary with complex cases.

Breaks can be included as needed.

Where do I go for my appointment?

In your confirmation email, we will include the address and a location map of where your appointment will take place. Each location is a short walk from the Macquarie University Hospital. Location/s will either be:

• 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, 2109, or
• 75 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, 2113.

If possible, please bring someone with you who can help describe any problems you’ve been having with your thinking or memory.

Though we will likely require this information prior to your appointment, please also bring the following items to all appointments:

• Cards – Pension, Health Care or Veterans' Affairs cards, or evidence of full time tertiary student enrolment.
• Medication list including all your current medications, vitamins and supplements.
• Discharge summaries or reports of any previous assessments (eg neuropsychological, neurological, psychological/psychiatric) or investigations (eg EEGs, CT, MRI, PET).
• Reading glasses and/or hearing aids if you wear them.

• Arriving at the clinic:  Please announce yourself to reception upon arrival to check in and organise any last-minute requirements, along with payment of the appointment.
• Your initial consultation: Most assessments take approximately three to four hours and involve an initial interview followed by a comprehensive cognitive assessment by the neuropsychologist.

Following your appointment our clinicians will write a detailed report to your referring doctor and may provide you with feedback directly, as required.

Reports can take between one to five weeks dependent on the nature of the assessment you had.

How much will my appointment cost?

The clinic is affiliated with the Macquarie University Master of Clinical Neuropsychology training program and offers a range of clinical services.

Costs vary according to the experience of the clinician you see, and the kind of service provided (all clinicians offer comprehensive assessment, while some also offer cognitive rehabilitation).

Depending on the nature and complexity of your referral, the required timing of an appointment, and your financial state, you may choose to be seen by one of our interns, a Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar or an experienced Endorsed Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Our student interns are enrolled in the Macquarie Master of Clinical Neuropsychology training program and conduct assessments under direct supervision by an experienced Endorsed Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Our Clinical Neuropsychology Registrars are recent graduates of the training program working independently on the pathway to endorsement, with regular advanced-level supervision from a more senior Neuropsychologist.

Our Endorsed Clinical Neuropsychologists have at least two years' experience as independent practitioners, and represent a wide range of specific expertise and interests. See their biographical information.

• Student intern fee (comprehensive assessment):
  • General assessment: $600 ($400 for concession card holders)
  • ADHD: $800
  • ASD: $800
  • Learning/intellectual disability: $800
• Registrar fee (comprehensive assessment):
  • General assessment: $1000
  • ADHD: $1200
  • ASD: $1200
• Endorsed Neuropsychologist fee (comprehensive assessment): 
  • General assessment: $1950
  • Capacity/medico-legal/insurance: $2500 and above (depending on complexity of the condition and individual case, any medicolegal/insurance implications, and/or clinician experience). Please enquire with our administration staff on (02) 9812 3997.
• Endorsed Neuropsychologist or Registrar fee:
  • Cognitive remediation/counselling: Typically around $250-$350 per session. Please enquire with our administration staff on (02) 9812 3997.
  • Driving capacity screening (using the DriveSafe DriveAware iPad app): Typically around $250 (standalone assessment; any clinician).

If you would like a particular Endorsed Neuropsychologist to conduct your assessment, you should ensure that their name is clearly stated on your referral.

Will I get money back from Medicare?

Neuropsychology assessments: Unfortunately, neuropsychological assessments are not a Medicare recognised service and thus Medicare does not offer rebates.

Cognitive rehabilitation/intervention/counselling: May be eligible for Medicare rebates with a GP Referral and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Please call (o2) 9812 3997 to discuss if you could be eligible for this

Will I get money back from my private health insurance?

Many health funds offer modest rebates on psychology services only. For more information, speak to your health fund directly about what’s covered in your policy.

When do I pay for my appointment?

You will need to pay at the time of your consultation. Don’t forget to bring your Pensioner, Health Care, Tertiary Student or DVA card to ensure we bill you at the correct rate.

What if I am a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) patient?

If you’re a DVA patient, the clinic needs to obtain pre-approval for the appointment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. This approval process can take up to 4 weeks. An appointment will not be made unless pre-approval has been confirmed.

We welcome positive and constructive feedback in order to continuously improve our service. You can leave a message in the feedback box in the reception area; complete our survey, or email us at feedback@mqhealth.org.au.

If you feel your experience with us has been unsatisfactory, please discuss any complaints with us in the first instance, via phone or email.