One of the first things people ask when they're referred for an OT driving assessment is how much it will cost and whether any funding is available.
The short answer is that it depends on your situation. Several funding pathways exist in Queensland, and many people don't end up paying the full cost out of pocket. This article walks through the main options.
What makes up the cost?
An OT driving assessment is a comprehensive 2 to 3 hour evaluation involving two qualified professionals (an OT and a specialist driving instructor), specialised equipment, and a detailed written report sent to Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and your referrer.
The fee covers:
The off-road clinical assessment
The on-road practical drive in a dual-controlled vehicle
The specialist driving instructor's time and vehicle
The OT's assessment and report writing
Submission of the report to TMR
Fees vary between providers. For current Steer Driving pricing, visit steerdriving.com.au/pricing.
Funding pathway 1: NDIS
Who it's for: NDIS participants whose driving supports independence and community access goals.
How it works: If driving is identified as a goal in your NDIS plan, the assessment can often be funded through your plan. This is common for learner drivers with disabilities as well as participants returning to driving after a disability-related event.
What it covers: Typically the full cost of the assessment, along with any recommended rehabilitation driving lessons and (in some cases) vehicle modifications.
What to do: Speak with your support coordinator, plan manager, or NDIS planner. Driving typically falls under Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living or similar categories.
Important note: Steer Driving works with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. If your plan is NDIA-managed (agency-managed), you'll need to use a registered NDIS provider.
Funding pathway 2: WorkCover Queensland
Who it's for: People injured in a workplace accident in Queensland where the injury has affected their driving.
How it works: WorkCover Queensland funds the OT driving assessment as part of your rehabilitation. This is a common pathway for people recovering from injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures affecting mobility, or post-traumatic cognitive effects.
What it covers: Typically the full cost of the assessment, along with rehabilitation driving lessons if needed, and sometimes vehicle modifications.
What to do: Talk with your case manager, rehabilitation coordinator, or employer's insurer. They'll coordinate the referral and funding.
Funding pathway 3: CTP (Compulsory Third Party)
Who it's for: People injured in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland where the injury has affected their driving.
How it works: Your CTP insurer funds the OT driving assessment as part of your injury claim and rehabilitation.
What it covers: Typically the full cost of the assessment and any recommended follow-up (lessons, modifications, reassessment).
What to do: Talk with your CTP claims manager, solicitor, or rehabilitation coordinator. They'll usually coordinate the referral and funding directly with the OT provider.
Worth knowing: If your accident occurred in NSW but you live on the Gold Coast (or vice versa), the relevant insurer depends on where the accident occurred, not where you live. Your solicitor or claims manager can clarify which scheme applies.
Funding pathway 4: DVA
Who it's for: Department of Veterans' Affairs cardholders (Gold Card, White Card, or Orange Card holders, depending on the condition).
How it works: DVA funds OT driving assessments for eligible cardholders whose driving is affected by a recognised medical condition.
What it covers: Typically the full cost, based on DVA-set rates.
What to do: Ask your DVA case manager or your GP. Your GP will usually make the referral, and DVA funding is processed directly between the OT provider and DVA.
Funding pathway 5: Medicare (CDM plans)
Who it's for: People with a chronic medical condition where driving safety is affected, and whose GP has put them on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.
How it works: Your GP creates a CDM plan that includes a referral to an OT. Medicare provides a rebate for a limited number of allied health services per calendar year.
What it covers: A partial rebate toward the assessment cost. You'll still have a gap payment.
What to do: Ask your GP whether a CDM plan is appropriate for you.
Worth knowing: Medicare allied health rebates are limited per calendar year across all allied health visits, so if you've already used your allocation for other services, this pathway may not apply.
Funding pathway 6: Private payment
Who it's for: People who don't qualify for any of the above pathways, or who prefer to self-fund.
How it works: You pay the full cost directly.
Worth knowing: If cost is a concern and you think you might qualify for a funded pathway, it's worth exploring those options first. Many people don't realise their situation qualifies them for NDIS, WorkCover, or CTP funding.
Cross-border note: Gold Coast and Northern NSW
If you live on the Gold Coast but your injury occurred in NSW, or if you live in Northern NSW (Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and surrounds) and need an assessment, the funding pathway may differ:
NSW injuries may be covered by iCare (NSW workers compensation or CTP) rather than WorkCover Queensland.
Queensland injuries for people living in Northern NSW would typically be covered by the Queensland insurer.
NDIS, DVA, and Medicare are federal schemes and apply regardless of which state you're in.
If you're unsure which funding pathway applies to your situation, get in touch and we can help you work it out.
Which pathway applies to me?
As a rough guide:
If you had a workplace accident, start with your employer's workers compensation insurer (WorkCover Queensland for QLD injuries, iCare for NSW injuries).
If you were in a motor vehicle accident, start with your CTP insurer.
If you're an NDIS participant, speak with your support coordinator.
If you're a DVA cardholder, speak with your GP about a DVA-funded referral.
If you have a chronic condition managed by your GP, ask about a Medicare CDM plan.
If none of the above apply, you'll likely be self-funding.
What about the cost of driving lessons or vehicle modifications?
The OT driving assessment is one cost. If the assessment recommends rehabilitation driving lessons or vehicle modifications, those are separate.
Most funding pathways that cover the assessment also cover lessons and modifications when they're recommended by the OT. NDIS, WorkCover, CTP, and DVA all typically fund these additional supports. Medicare doesn't fund driving lessons.
Starting the process
If you have a referral and want to know your cost, the best first step is to get in touch. You can start at steerdriving.com.au/referral. Include information about your situation (NDIS, WorkCover, CTP, etc.) and I'll get back to you with a clear picture of what's involved.
Ready to book an OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. Whether you already have a referral or you're just getting started, get in touch and we'll guide you through the next steps.
This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice.
FAQ Section
How much does an OT driving assessment cost in Queensland? Costs vary between providers and depend on whether you access funding. For current Steer Driving pricing, visit steerdriving.com.au/pricing. Funding options include NDIS, WorkCover Queensland, CTP, DVA, and Medicare.
Does NDIS cover OT driving assessments in Queensland? For eligible participants with self-managed or plan-managed plans, yes, particularly where driving supports independence and community access goals. Your support coordinator or plan manager can help confirm.
Does WorkCover Queensland cover OT driving assessments? For people injured in workplace accidents in Queensland, yes. WorkCover typically funds the assessment and any recommended rehabilitation supports.
What if my accident was in NSW but I live on the Gold Coast? The relevant insurer depends on where the accident occurred, not where you live. NSW accidents may be covered by iCare, while Queensland accidents are covered by WorkCover QLD or Queensland CTP. Your solicitor or claims manager can clarify.
Does Medicare cover OT driving assessments? Partially, through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. Medicare provides a rebate, but you typically still have a gap payment.
Do I have to pay upfront and claim back, or is it billed directly? It depends on the funding pathway. NDIS, WorkCover, CTP, and DVA are typically billed directly. Medicare CDM plans involve a gap payment. Private payment is paid at the time of service.
