We provide assessment and treatment services for a wide range of brain conditions. We see children and adults with developmental differences such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disability.

Additionally, we see people with conditions occurring at any age, including strokes, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumours, and multiple sclerosis.

Our Services

Our Clinic

Our clinic provides comprehensive cognitive and behavioural assessments that can include diagnostic assessment, evaluation of cognitive strengths and difficulties, and recommendations regarding support needs and capacity building. A detailed understanding of a person’s cognitive abilities can provide information in the following areas:

  • Capacity to learn new skills
  • Daily support needs
  • Decision-making capacity
  • Educational support needs
  • Eligibility for funding, such as
    Disability Support Pension
  • Impact of and monitoring of
    brain conditions
  • Rehabilitation needs
  • Work capacity, employment
    needs, and career guidance

We offer treatment services to support our clients to build their skills in managing everyday difficulties arising from their brain conditions. Our services include adjustment counselling to support psychological adjustment following an acquired brain injury. We provide capacity-building support for neurodivergent individuals who wish to develop their skills in areas such as psychological wellbeing, social skills, and communication skills.

Our Mission

We are an inclusive regional cognitive clinic that strives to provide high-quality, evidence-based care that helps to improve the quality of life of our clients.

The following goals and values drive and inspire us in our daily work:

Person-centred Care

Respecting every client as an individual with unique needs. We work with a collaborative approach to maximise people’s autonomy and choice over their health care.

Accessible Care

We strive to make our services accessible to those living in regional, rural, and remote areas, and to those with disabilities and special needs. We provide flexible appointment options to suit the needs of our clients.

Empowerment and making a difference

Supporting our clients to learn the skills and knowledge they need to manage their cognitive, psychological, and medical symptoms, to help them live a rich and meaningful life.

Collaboration

Working with others who support the person to provide consistency and continuity of care (e.g., family, support workers, other health professionals).

Our Team

Aleksandra (Aleks) Tarnawski

Director and Clinical Neuropsychologist

James Blomeley

Psychologist

Ella Murtagh

Provisional Psychologist

Joel Goulter

Clinical Neuropsychologist

Simon Herlihy

Practice Manager

Our Services

Albury Cognitive Clinic provides assessment and treatment services for brain conditions at any stage of life.

We work within a range of funding models including NDIS, Workers Compensation NSW and VIC, LTCS, TAC, Medicare, public and private organisations, and self-funding. Our services include the following:

  • Assessment and diagnosis for children and adults of developmental conditions including Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD).
  • Cognitive assessment for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and brain tumour. 
  • Psychological treatment for children and adults including adjustment counselling, capacity building, and cognitive rehabilitation.
  • Decision-making capacity assessments 
  • Medico-legal assessments

We are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of psychologists. We provide placement opportunities, clinical supervision, mentoring, and consultation.

Our Location

Albury Cognitive Clinic has consulting rooms in Albury, and we provide outreach services across Northeast Victoria and Southern NSW. Telehealth is available for some services, and we aim to expand our telehealth services in the future.

We see clients at the following location. This location is by appointment only, as we do not have administrative staff at our rooms.

Albury

839 David Street, North Albury NSW 2640

Postal Address: PO Box 181, Albury NSW 2640

Street parking is available out front and there is parking available at the rear of the building, accessible via the driveway.

Wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp at the rear of the building. (Front entrance has three steps)

FAQs

Choosing the right type of assessment depends on your concerns, the questions you would like answered, and the information needed to support your goals.

If you are unsure which assessment is most appropriate, we recommend booking an initial intake appointment. This provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, background and goals with a clinician, who can then recommend the most suitable assessment pathway.

During the intake appointment, your clinician may also ask you to complete screening questionnaires or gather additional information to help determine which assessment type would be most appropriate.

Our aim is to ensure you receive the right assessment for your needs and avoid unnecessary testing where a different approach may be more suitable.

The type of assessment you need depends on your concerns, referral question and the level of detail required.

A neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive functioning and is typically recommended when there are complex questions about memory, attention, executive functioning, learning, brain injury, neurological conditions or changes in cognitive abilities over time.

For some concerns, a psychologist with appropriate training and experience may be able to complete the assessment. This may include assessments relating to areas such as ADHD, autism, learning difficulties or general cognitive functioning.

Our team will consider your individual circumstances, the reason for referral and the information needed to provide meaningful recommendations. If you are unsure which type of assessment is most appropriate, please contact us and we can help determine the best pathway for your needs.

A cognitive assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of how your brain processes information. It looks at a range of thinking skills, including attention, memory, language, problem-solving, reasoning, processing speed and executive functioning (such as planning and organisation).

Your clinician uses a combination of standardised tests, questionnaires and clinical interviews to understand your cognitive strengths and identify any areas of difficulty. The assessment is tailored to your individual concerns and the reason for your referral.

Cognitive assessments can help clarify why someone is experiencing difficulties with learning, memory, concentration or everyday functioning. They may also assist in diagnosing conditions such as ADHD, autism, learning disorders, acquired brain injury or neurocognitive conditions, or help distinguish between different causes of cognitive changes.

Following the assessment, you’ll receive a comprehensive report explaining the results, any diagnoses where appropriate, and practical recommendations to support your goals, treatment or future planning.

Specific Learning Disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions that affect how a person learns and uses specific academic skills, despite having typical learning opportunities and support.

Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) can affect areas such as:

  • Reading (often referred to as dyslexia), including difficulties with accurate word reading, reading fluency or comprehension
  • Written expression (sometimes referred to as dysgraphia), including difficulties with spelling, grammar, written organisation or producing written work
  • Mathematics (sometimes referred to as dyscalculia), including difficulties understanding number concepts, calculations or mathematical reasoning

A person with an SLD may have average or above-average intelligence but experience ongoing challenges in specific learning areas. These difficulties can affect school, university, work and everyday life.

A cognitive or learning assessment can help identify whether a Specific Learning Disorder may be present, understand an individual’s strengths and challenges, and provide recommendations for appropriate supports and strategies.

Yes. We provide Autism and ADHD assessments for children aged 6 years and older who have completed at least two terms of primary school.

This ensures that children have had sufficient opportunity to develop within a structured learning environment, where areas such as attention, social communication, learning and behaviour can be meaningfully observed and assessed.

If your child is younger than 6 years of age or has not yet completed two terms of primary school, our clinic is not currently the appropriate service for their assessment. We recommend seeking an assessment provider who specialises in early childhood assessments.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, learning, attention, behaviour or social communication, please contact our clinic to discuss whether an assessment is appropriate and what the next steps may involve.

Yes. We provide comprehensive ADHD assessments for adults who are seeking a detailed understanding of their cognitive profile and how ADHD symptoms may be affecting their everyday functioning.

If your main goal is to obtain an ADHD diagnosis specifically for the purpose of exploring medication options, you may wish to consult directly with a psychiatrist, as psychiatrists are medical specialists who can assess medication suitability and prescribe where appropriate.

If you are seeking a more comprehensive evaluation of your cognitive functioning, including attention, memory, executive functioning, strengths and areas of difficulty, our assessment process can provide a broader understanding of your profile. We also provide recommendations to support work, study, and daily functioning.

No. Albury Cognitive Clinic does not have psychiatrists, and our clinicians are not able to prescribe medication.

We provide comprehensive cognitive and diagnostic assessments, along with detailed reports and recommendations. If your assessment indicates that medication may be beneficial, we can recommend that you discuss this with your GP or refer you to a psychiatrist or other appropriate medical specialist for further assessment and treatment.

At this time, we are not accepting new therapy clients as our therapy services are currently at capacity.

Our clinic focuses on cognitive and diagnostic assessments, including assessments for areas such as ADHD, autism, learning difficulties, memory concerns and cognitive functioning.

If you are seeking psychological therapy, we recommend contacting other local psychology providers who may have availability and can support your needs.

No. You do not need a referral to book an assessment. You can contact us directly to discuss your concerns or submit our online referral form.

However, some funding pathways or third-party organisations (such as WorkCover, insurers or other agencies) may require a referral or prior approval before your assessment. If you’re unsure, our team can help you understand what documentation, if any, is needed before you book.

Wait times vary depending on our current capacity, the type of assessment required, and the availability of the most appropriate clinician.

At times, appointments with a general psychologist may be available within approximately 3–4 months, while appointments with a neuropsychologist may have longer wait times, often 6 months or more.

We understand that waiting for an assessment can be challenging, and we recommend contacting our clinic to discuss current availability and the most appropriate pathway for your needs. Our team can provide an indication of expected wait times when you enquire.

The assessment process involves several steps to ensure you receive the most appropriate assessment for your needs.

1. Make an enquiry or referral

The first step is to contact our clinic to discuss your assessment needs. You can make a referral by providing information about your concerns, the reason for seeking an assessment, and any relevant background information.

2. Discuss the most appropriate assessment pathway

A member of our team will liaise with you to understand your needs and determine what type of assessment may be most suitable. In some cases, an initial intake appointment may be recommended to discuss your concerns in more detail and help guide the assessment process.

3. Join our waitlist

Once the appropriate assessment pathway has been identified, you will be placed on our waitlist. We will contact you when an appointment becomes available that suits your needs and the availability of the appropriate clinician.

4. Complete onboarding documents

When we are able to offer you an appointment, our team will send through the required onboarding documents and information to help you prepare for your assessment.

5. Schedule your assessment appointments

Once an appointment becomes available, we will generally aim to schedule your assessment within the following few weeks. The number of appointments required will depend on the type and complexity of the assessment.

6. Assessment and report completion

Your clinician will complete the assessment process, review the results, and prepare a comprehensive report outlining the findings, any relevant diagnoses, and recommendations. The report will be discussed with you and provided following completion.

7. Report completion and feedback session

 

The time it takes to complete your report depends on the complexity of your assessment and your clinician’s current workload. As many of our clinicians work part-time, reports are typically completed over several weeks rather than all at once.

Once your clinician has drafted your report, it undergoes a thorough clinical review process, including review by our Clinical Neuropsychologist where appropriate. This ensures that your report is accurate, comprehensive and provides meaningful recommendations tailored to your needs.

As a result, the report-writing and review process can take several months from the completion of your assessment. While we appreciate that clients are often eager to receive their results, this timeframe allows us to maintain the high standard and quality of our reports.

If you require your report by a particular date, please let us know as early as possible. While we cannot guarantee an earlier completion, we will do our best to accommodate your needs where possible.

We tailor our assessments to each client’s individual needs, so the total cost will vary depending on the type of assessment, the complexity of your referral, and the amount of clinical time required.

Our clinicians’ hourly rates range from $250–$280, depending on the clinician completing your assessment. Report writing and interpretation is typically charged at a reduced rate.

The total cost of an assessment is based on the time required for each stage of the process, including:

Intake appointment:
Approximately 2 hours

Assessment appointments
Approximately 2-6 hours

Report writing and interpretation
From approximately 8 hours for straightforward assessments, up to 20 hours for more complex assessments

In some cases, yes—but it depends on the funding source and the type of assessment.

Medicare

Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide rebates for cognitive or diagnostic assessments under a Mental Health Care Plan. At present, our clinicians are also unable to provide assessments that attract Medicare rebates under the relevant specialist referral items.

NDIS

We provide assessments for NDIS participants where the assessment is consistent with current NDIS funding requirements. In general, NDIS funding may be available for assessments that support disability-related planning, functional capacity or recommendations for supports.

Diagnostic assessments are generally not funded through an NDIS plan.

If you are an NDIS participant and are unsure whether your assessment may be eligible for funding, please contact our team. We are happy to discuss your circumstances and advise whether your assessment may align with current NDIS funding guidelines.

WorkCover and other third-party funders

We may be able to provide assessments funded by WorkCover or other third-party organisations where prior approval has been obtained. Please contact us so we can discuss your referral and funding arrangements.

Private Health Insurance

Some private health insurers offer rebates for psychological assessments, depending on your level of cover. We recommend contacting your health fund before your appointment to confirm whether your policy includes assessment services and to ask which item numbers are required for claiming.

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for funding, our team is happy to discuss your options and help you understand the funding pathways that may be available.

Contact Us

Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Workdays vary between clinicians.

We are a small business and do not have a dedicated admin team.  The most efficient way to reach us is by email, by using the enquiry form below, or by completing an online referral.

info@alburycognitive.au

Alternatively, you can leave us a voicemail on the phone number below and a member of our team will contact you. 

To help us direct your enquiry, please state your name, phone number, and a description of your enquiry.  

We do not return phone calls without a voicemail.  We will endeavour to respond to your enquiry within 5-10 business days.

Enquiries – 0418 650 516

Referrals

Referral form can be completed by individuals, treating health professionals, support coordinators, or other representatives.

We endeavour to respond to referrals within 5-10 business days. We will advise of current wait times at the time of referral acceptance.

 

Our referral form can either be completed online or downloaded and completed manually. Please send new referral forms to info@alburycognitive.au

Complete Referral Form Online
Download Referral Form