A neuropsychological assessment measures how well the brain is functioning — not what it looks like on a scan. Using interviews and standardised tests of memory, attention, language, processing speed, visual-spatial and executive skills, it identifies strengths and difficulties, helps clarify diagnosis, and produces practical recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, work, study and support.
When is a neuropsychological assessment useful?
We accept referrals for a wide range of neurological, medical and psychiatric conditions that affect brain function — and for people who are simply worried about changes in their thinking. Common reasons include:
- Differential diagnosis — working out whether cognitive difficulties are best explained by a neurological condition, a psychological or functional cause, or normal ageing.
- Understanding the impact of a condition — how a stroke, brain injury, illness or treatment is affecting memory, attention and everyday functioning.
- Rehabilitation and return to work or study — identifying strengths to build on and the supports or adjustments that will help most.
- Baseline and repeat assessment — tracking change over time, or measuring whether a treatment is working.
Conditions we commonly assess
- Stroke and other acquired brain injury
- Traumatic brain injury and persistent concussion symptoms
- Functional neurological disorder (FND) and functional cognitive disorder
- Post-viral symptoms, including long COVID
- Brain tumours and cognitive effects of cancer treatment
- Neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia
- Other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- Mental health conditions affecting concentration and memory
- Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and intellectual disability
- Unexplained changes in memory or thinking
What the assessment involves
- Referral and intake. We gather background information and any records — referral letters, neuroimaging, specialist reports and hospital discharge summaries.
- Clinical interview. We talk with you (and ideally someone who knows you well) about your history, current concerns and goals.
- Testing. A series of standardised tasks — remembering stories and lists, solving puzzles, naming, drawing and timed tasks. There are no trick questions and no studying required, and we schedule breaks.
- Questionnaires. Brief measures of mood, behaviour and day-to-day functioning.
- Scoring and interpretation. Your results are compared with people of a similar age (and education, where relevant) and integrated with your history and investigations.
- Report and feedback. We explain the findings in plain English and agree on practical next steps.
What thinking skills are assessed?
| Area | What it covers | Everyday example |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Focusing, sustaining and dividing attention | Following a conversation in a busy café |
| Processing speed | How quickly information is taken in and acted on | Keeping up in meetings or class |
| Learning & memory | Learning, storing and recalling new information | Remembering appointments and conversations |
| Language | Word-finding, naming, comprehension and fluency | Finding the right word mid-sentence |
| Visual-spatial | Perceiving and organising visual information | Navigating, reading maps, judging distances |
| Executive function | Planning, organising, flexibility and self-monitoring | Managing bills or a multi-step project |
| Mood & behaviour | Emotional factors that affect thinking | Anxiety or low mood reducing concentration |
What you receive
You’ll receive a written report that explains your results in plain language, describes your cognitive strengths and weaknesses, gives diagnostic impressions where appropriate, and sets out practical recommendations — strategies, supports, rehabilitation options and onward referrals. With your consent, a copy goes to your referring doctor and any other professionals you nominate. Many assessments include a feedback session to talk through the findings.
Cost and funding
Assessments are quoted as one all-inclusive fee covering face-to-face time (usually 3–4 hours), test materials, gathering information from others, scoring and interpretation, and your report. The quote is based on our $240 hourly rate — below the APS recommended $330 per hour — and you’ll have it before you commit. You can pay in full after the first session or split the fee into two payments.
Depending on your circumstances, the assessment may be funded by NDIS (self- or plan-managed), DVA, the Lifetime Support Authority, insurers or aged care funding, usually with prior approval. Medicare does not cover neuropsychological assessments; some private health “extras” policies contribute — check with your fund.
How to prepare
You don’t need to study — we want to see your everyday thinking. Get a good night’s sleep, eat beforehand, take your usual medications, and bring glasses or hearing aids, a list of medications and any relevant reports. More preparation tips.
