The Northern Centre for Child Development is a multidisciplinary paediatric practice in Melbourne and North Eastern Victoria.

We work with families, children and schools.

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Services


Paediatric psychology & parenting support

Our team of experienced and enthusiastic psychologists provide a range of services tailored to suit your family’s needs. From early intervention for children with autism, to counselling for children and adolescents—we provide evidence-based and solution-focussed interventions. For parents who are struggling to understand their child’s behaviour, we offer supportive sessions to increase your parenting confidence and improve your connection with your child.

Autism diagnosis

We understand that the process of determining whether your child presents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often stressful, drawn-out and time-consuming. To make this easier, we offer a streamlined ASD assessment service—we provide all the necessary assessments and services required for a ‘gold standard’ ASD assessment. You can also come to us with a paediatrician’s referral for specific assessments if you’ve already started the process.

Fees & funding


Our fees are significantly less than the rate recommended by the Australian Psychological Society to ensure our services are accessible. Most services are charged at $262 per hour and Medicare or health fund rebates may apply for services provided by fully registered psychologists.

Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative

Medicare rebates are available to people living with mental health difficulties including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, ADHD, conduct disorder, bereavement disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or sleep problems. You must be referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. You’ll need to book a long appointment with your GP who will determine your eligibility and prepare a Mental Health Care Plan if you are eligible.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

We work with families who self-mange their NDIS funding as well as supporting those who are just starting out with the application process. For families who don't self manage, we can help link you in with an agency to ensure you're still able to receive our services.

Assessment & Autism Diagnosis


We offer a range of developmental assessments for children. Contact us to determine whether an assessment is appropriate for your child and to discuss fees.

Autism diagnostic assessment

For a comprehensive assessment your child will need to meet separately with a paediatrician, speech pathologist and a psychologist who will liaise to determine whether or not your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis.

Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development - Third Edition

By administering the Bayley Scales we are able to identify your child’s areas of strength and weakness in the five key developmental domains of cognition, language, social-emotional, motor and adaptive behaviour.

The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales - Second Edition

The Vineland is used to assess individuals aged up to 90 years. It assesses the individual’s skills in specific areas and can help with treatment planning as well as helping to identify developmental delays, cognitive disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and other impairments.

Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scales of Intelligence - Fifth Edition (WPPSI-IV Australian)

The WPPSI-IV is an assessment of your child’s cognitive functioning – what some people might refer to as an IQ test. The WPPSI-IV provides us with very valuable information about how your child thinks and can be essential in helping us plan the best ways to teach in order to maximise their potential.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition (ADOS-2)

The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment of communication, social interaction, play/imaginative use of materials, and restricted and repetitive behaviours. It is used for individuals who have been referred because they are showing signs of possible Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Psycho-Educational Profile - Third Edition (PEP-3)

Administering the PEP-3 allows us to assess the skills and behaviors of children with autism and communicative disabilities with a developmental age between 6 months and 7 years. The profile resulting from the PEP-3 graphically charts uneven and idiosyncratic development, emerging skills, and autistic behavioral characteristics.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition Australian Standardised Edition (WISC-IV Australian)

The WISC-V is used to assess the general thinking and reasoning skills of children aged 6 years to 16 years. Test results include a full-scale IQ score as well as age-equivalent rankings and scores for verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed.

New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS)

The Reynell is a widely-used assessment for identifying speech and language delays and impairments in very young children.

Get in touch


We will respond more quickly to enquiries regarding our services for your child if you use the refer your child form.

Northern Centre for Child Development Logo

345 Darebin Road,
Thornbury, Victoria, 3071.
Northern Centre for Child Development Marker Get directions.

P: 03 9079 8043
F: 03 4050 7319


Beechworth Surgery

39 Camp Steet,
Beechworth, Victoria, 3747.
Northern Centre for Child Development Marker Get directions.

P: 03 9079 8043