Medicare’s Better Access Initiative provides Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care.

The Better Access to Mental Health Care Program can allow for a rebate for up to 10 individual counselling sessions in a calendar year. Medicare requires that you, your GP, and Psychologist, periodically review how you are progressing with treatment. This typically involves myself sending correspondence to your GP at intermittent periods during treatment to provide updates on your progress. You may also be required to attend a GP appointment after your 6th session to access the remaining 4 sessions available to you in a calendar year.

To access a referral under medicare, you will need to speak with your GP about providing a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), or your Psychiatrist about a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan.

Through Medicare

Better Access to Mental Health Care Program

Accessing Privately

You may self-refer to access psychological treatment as a private client. However, no rebates for session fees will be available accessing as a private client, and a full fee per session will be required.

If you have private health insurance, there is a possibility that your insurance provider may offer a rebate towards the cost of your sessions. Reach out to your insurance provider to inquire about your individual coverage and the rebates they offer.

Private Health Insurance

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Depending on your funding allocation and plan goals, you may be able to claim the cost of your appointments through your NDIS plan. Please note NDIS participants will need to be either ‘plan-managed’ or ‘self-managed’.  

Fee

The session rate is $220 per hour.

If you are accessing treatment with a Mental Health Care Plan, you may be eligible to receive a rebate through Medicare of $141.85. This would result in a session fee of $78.15.

Payments can be made by:

  • EFTPOS (Cheque, Savings, or Credit)

  • Cash

  • Direct Bank Transfer

48 hours notice is required to reschedule or cancel a session without occurring any fees. This policy is in place to allow the offering of the allocated time to another client who may be on a cancellation or waiting list for an appointment. In the event less than 48 hours notice is given to cancel an appointment, or a scheduled appointment is not attended, the consultation fee will be charged.