Understanding Medicare Rebates for Psychological Services in Australia

To access Medicare rebates for psychological services, follow these simple steps

  • To be eligible for Medicare rebates, you first need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. During your consultation, talk about your mental health concerns, and your doctor will assess your needs, referring you to a Medicare psychologist for ongoing support.

  • After Southcoast Psychology receives your MHTP from your GP, we will contact you to schedule an initial appointment with a registered Medicare psychologist. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique goals.

  • With a valid MHTP, you can claim up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year in two bundles (6 sessions, then 4 sessions). Medicare will cover a portion of the session fee, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. At Southcoast Psychology, we help you make the most of your available rebates to ensure a smooth process.

Medicare Schemes for Psychology

Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative

This is the most common Medicare initiative for those seeking psychological support. Under the Better Access Initiative, you can access up to:

  • 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year

  • 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year

To access these services, you need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP or specialist. After your first referral (up to 6 sessions), your GP can provide ongoing referrals for additional courses of treatment. You can claim up to 10 rebates per calendar year, regardless of how many referrals you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, to claim Medicare rebates, you must have a valid referral from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. The referral will outline the course of treatment, typically 10 sessions per calendar year.

  • As of the 2025-26 financial year, the rebate for a single session under a Mental Health Treatment Plan is $101.55 for general psychology services. This may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

  • No. Medicare does not allow you to claim a Medicare rebate for a session if you have already used your private health insurance for the same session.

  • You can claim up to 10 sessions per calendar year. The first referral is typically for 6 sessions. After completing these sessions, you’ll need to visit your GP for a review, where they can release the final 4 sessions to complete a course of treatment.

  • Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTPs) do not expire. However, they can be reviewed and extended indefinitely. If you change GPs, your new GP may prefer to create a new plan, depending on your condition.

  • Referrals do not expire, but if there is a long gap (over 3 months) between your sessions, your psychologist will need to report back to your GP. If the gap is significant (over 6 months), your GP may need to review your MHTP before you resume treatment.

  • No, you do not need a new referral if you change psychologists. You can continue using the same referral for up to the maximum number of sessions. However, your psychologist will need to send reports to your GP and notify them if you decide to change therapists.