You can download this information sheet [PDF 154KB] [Word 189KB] or call us on 1300 039 390 to get a printed copy mailed to you.

Why do you need a neuropsychological assessment?

When you apply to get your funds paid out, we need to check that you can manage your money by yourself. To do this, we may ask a neuropsychologist to meet with you and tell us what they think.

A neuropsychologist is a specialist in how brain injuries or illnesses affect thinking and behaviour.

You can apply to use your funds in Court to pay for the assessment.

What will happen during the assessment?

The neuropsychologist will take you through some standard tests. Together these tests are a ‘neuropsychological assessment’. The tests will look at your IQ, attention, memory, learning and executive function. Executive function means higher-level thinking skills like planning, problem solving, decision making and reasoning.

These tests are usually the neuropsychologist asking you questions out loud. You might also need to write some things down. You and the neuropsychologist will do these tests at their office.

Please bring a list of your current medications to the assessment. If you need glasses please bring those too.

The assessment will take about four hours. The neuropsychologist will work with you to make sure you have enough breaks.

The neuropsychologist may talk to a member of your family or a close friend to get more information.

What will happen after the assessment?

After the assessment, the neuropsychologist will write a report for us. The Senior Master will consider this when they are looking at your application for payment out.

The Senior Master will also look at:

  • how much money you have held in Court
  • how your money has been used recently
  • if you have a job or other income
  • your home circumstances
  • any relevant medical reports.

The Senior Master may ask for more information. Your Client Services Officer will tell you if you need to give us more information.

When the Senior Master has enough information, they will decide whether to grant your application for payment out. This is a legal decision.

Your Client Services Officer will let you know of the Senior Master’s decision.

If the Senior Master grants your application for payment out, your Client Services Officer will start the payment out process.

If the Senior Master declines your application, your Client Services Officer will explain the reasons to you. If your application is declined, you can ask for a summary of the neuropsychologist’s report.

If you have any questions about a neuropsychologist assessment, please talk with your Client Services Officer.