FAQ | Mtara

Q: What is Multidisciplinary Therapies?

A: Multidisciplinary Therapies, also referred to as Polymath Therapies is a combination of Allied Health and closely related health field therapies delivered by an individual practitioner (MTS) or (PMT) (Polymath Therapist) rather than a group which is commonly referred to as (MDTs).

Practitioners can work within a wide range of settings such as:

Disability Support Providers

Educational Settings

Child Care

General Medical Centres

Hospitals

Paediatric Clinics

Allied and Community Health Clinics

Private Practice (PolyMath Therapies)

MTARA has strict best practice guidelines that all Practitioner's must adhere to.

One of these rules for example is: A Practitioner must only practice in and only provide service or support to a Client/Participant in the areas the Practitioner is qualified unless assistance has been requested by a qualified practitioner.(QP)

Q: Is MTARA a professional self-regulation association?

A: Yes, MTARA is a professional self-regulation association.

Professional self-regulation is the regulation of a profession by its members to protect the public from harm. This is a common form of regulation used in Australian professions.

Q: What are the requirements for Registration to Practice with MTARA?

A: Applicants for registration with MTARA will need to have at least 2 qualifications in Allied Health or Other closely related discipline such as Mental Health or Disability Support. Applicants will also need to complete the Initial Registration Module and hold appropriate insurance with certificate of currency for no less than $10 million.

In addition to these requirements applicants will need to hold NDIS related checks and State relevant checks.

Q: Is a Registered Practitioner permitted to assist with therapies that is not within their scope of qualifications?

A: If there has been an assessment for therapies undertaken by a qualified practitioner, the out-of-scope practitioner may assist with implementing therapies and service delivery of therapies but should not alter any assessments or give any advice that is out of scope within qualifications or competency.

*Initial referral from Qualified Practitioner (QP) asking the out of scope practitioner to assist is required for this to occur and can only be done if it is in the best interests of the client/participant.

Q: What is MTARA's policy on Multidisciplinary Clinic Appointments?

A: Registered Practitioners are bound by MTARA's Code of Practice, When conducting an MCA all practitioners should observe the 60 x 3 rule on session durations.

All multidisciplinary appointments should be conducted in 3 hour blocks. MTARA recommends that Registered Practitioner's do not exceed 3 participants/clients per day. As per the 60 x 3 rule a clinic block should be organised as follows:

Therapy 1 60 mins

Therapy 2 60 mins

Therapy 3 60 mins

Total= 3 Hr Clinic.

Q1: When dealing with Clients or Participants funded by NDIS how should a Registered Practitioner accept payment for services/therapies?

Q2: Are assessments for Autism and Other Psychosocial/Neurodivergent Conditions covered by Medicare?

Q3: What type of assessments is a PMTS allowed to undertake?

A1: Registered Practitioners can only charge per hour, and depending on whether or not the Practitioner is a registered provider with the NDIS will affect the participants you can provide therapies as a general rule, Unregistered providers may only provide services and supports for Plan or Self-Managed Participants.
All Practitioners should use pay item codes that fit the description of the service delivery such as:

01_741_0128_1_3 (Other Professional) $193.99 per hour.
Provider Travel (if not in clinic)

A2: Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not fully covered (bulk billed) unless administered as part of a public health clinic, which usually have extended wait times.

Medicare does however provide a rebate, the amount of rebate a client/participant is entitled to may differ from others.

The rebate can only be claimed by the client/participant online via my gov or a medicare online account after the assessment.

A3: PMTS are able to undertake the following assessments:

Functional Capacity Assessments

Cognitive Assessments

Developmental Assessments

Special Education Assessments

*Core Qualification Rules Apply*

Q: Does MTARA have a CPD requirement for Registered Practitioners and what is the cost of MTARA Membership fees?

A: Registered Practitioners will need to complete 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development during a registration term to be eligible for registration renewal.

MTARA membership fees are currently $90 per year for 2025 and are reassessed every 12 months.

Q: Can a ASDSC administer the ADOS-2, CARS-2 and other associated ASD/Psychosocial diagnostic testing procedures?

A: Yes, an ASDSC (Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Clinician) can administer the following clinical diagnostic assessments:

ADOS-2

CARS-2

DSM-5 Interview (ASD)

ADI-R

ADHD Rating Scales

Additional Screenings (Psychosocial/Neurodivergent Conditions)

Functional Capacity Assessments

Special Education Assessment and Planning

Therapy Access Planning

**Applicants who only have ADHD Certifications are not eligible to practice as ASDSC

Q: What is the process and requirements for registration as a ASDSC?

A: MTARA is the only Professional Association in Australia to provide accreditation and registration for ASDSC's

ASDSC professionals are experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are trained to work with individuals on the autism spectrum, helping them and their families navigate various aspects of autism. They can contribute to the diagnostic process by:
- Interpreting assessment results.
- Collaborating with diagnosticians to develop comprehensive support plans.
Conducting assessments, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
Observing individuals' behavior and communication patterns.

Who can formally diagnose autism?:

In Australia, the primary diagnosticians for autism are paediatricians, child psychiatrists, specialist psychologists, and less frequently, neurologists.

ASDSC Professionals must adhere to MTARA Scope of Practice/Referral Procedures: in clinical assessment of Psychosocial/Neurodivergent conditions.

Assessment process:

The diagnostic process for autism involves a comprehensive evaluation, which may include:
- Parent interviews and questionnaires.
- Direct observation of the child's behavior and communication.
- Standardized assessments, such as the ADOS and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Once an assessment takes place, the ASDSC will score the assessment and provide the person or NOK with a report of the findings as well as a referral letter to any further medical practitioner that may be required to finalise a diagnosis.

These are the steps taken by a Registered ASDSC in the post assessment process:

The Registered ASDSC will advise the person or their next of kin (NOK) of the score outcome after the assessment.

The Registered ASDSC will supply a report to the participant or their next of kin within 7 days of the assessment taking place.

The Registered ASDSC will send an electronic copy of the report to other medical practitioners who are involved in the ongoing care of the participant for purposes of perusal and finalisation of diagnosis.

All applicants for ASDSC registration with MTARA should have the following:

Mandatory completion of the MTARA Learning Module: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Psychosocial Conditions

A current Practicing Certificate in Multidisciplinary Therapies/ Polymath Therapies.

Meet education requirements such as: Bachelor in Allied Health

Bachelor in Applied Behaviour Analysis

Bachelor in Psychology

Bachelor in Special Education

Bachelor in Autism Studies

Polymath Therapies

Graduate Diploma in Child Psychology

In addition to MTARA educational requirements, applicants for ASDSC registration should also have evidence of ADOS-2 certification from either WPS or Pearson Clinical and hold a qualified account level of A,B or C.

Q: What is the referral process after administration of the ADOS-2 or other related diagnostic testing?

Q: Is MTARA'S ASDSC certification the same as the ASDCS certification used internationally?

A: A registered ASDSC can administer the assessments required to assess the likelihood of ASD, ADHD or other Psychosocial/Neurodivergent conditions.

Following the assessment and reporting, a referral must be made to either a GP or Paediatrician to review the findings within the report.

A diagnosis is then made using any findings of the assessments in addition to other varied factors such as comorbidities and environmental factors.

A: Yes, The certifications do share similarities however they are not the same.

MTARA'S ASDSC Certification is tailored to meet best practice guidelines and procedures presently being used in Australia.

Unlike the international certification which meets requirements for practice in multiple countries, ASDSC's are only eligible for accreditation and practice in Australia.

Practitioners who hold ASDCS certification are eligible for automatic registration with MTARA.

Q: What official titles should be used when functioning as a Polymath Therapies Specialist?

A: Polymath Therapies Specialists can and are encouraged to use these official titles:

Functional Supports Specialist (Polymath Therapies)

Logopedic Intervention Specialist

(Polymath Therapies)

Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Clinician (Polymath Therapies)

Multidisciplinary Therapies Specialist Practitioner (Polymath Therapies)

Q: When conducting an FCA or related report base assessment what official title should be used?

A: The title used on report based assessments will differ according to the needs of the client/participant,

You can see this general advice:

FCA (Comprehensive/General) should use the title Functional Supports Specialist (Polymath Therapies)

Cognitive FCA

Multidisciplinary Therapies Specialist (Polymath Therapies)

Home, Living and Community Assessments

Functional Supports Specialist (Polymath Therapies) or Behaviour Supports Specialist (Polymath Therapies)

ADOS-2 Assessments

Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist Clinician (Polymath Therapies)