Medicare rebates for psychology
Medicare can subsidise part of the cost of seeing a psychologist. The subsidy comes through a Medicare program called Better Access, and it applies when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. This page explains how the program works, what you will pay, how many sessions are covered, and how to claim.
What is Better Access
Better Access is a Medicare program that subsidises a set number of psychology sessions each calendar year. It is designed to make mental health care more affordable for eligible people.
The plan is a short document your GP completes with you. It identifies your concerns and sets out the support you will receive. Without a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates for psychology sessions do not apply.
To access the subsidy, two things are needed
- A referral from your GP.
- A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) prepared by your GP.
Telehealth Psychology Australia is a telehealth-only practice serving clients across Australia.
Three steps to a rebated session
You can contact us at any point if you have questions about how the referral works. Our email is directors@thpa.au.
- 01
See your GP
Book an appointment with your GP and explain that you would like support with your mental health.
- 02
Ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan
If your GP considers it appropriate, they will prepare the plan and provide a referral.
- 03
Bring the referral and plan to us
Bring the referral and plan to your first session with us, or send them to us beforehand.
The numbers, in plain sight
Our standard session fee is $230 (GST-free). The rebate applies only when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. Both of our psychologists are registered psychologists, and the rebate below is the registered-psychologist rate.
Rebate figures are set by the Australian Government, are current at the time of writing, and can change. The rebate applies only when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
Up to 10 a calendar year
Under Better Access, you may be eligible for up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. The number resets at the start of each calendar year.
Your GP reviews your progress as part of the plan. The exact number of sessions covered depends on your GP’s referral and your circumstances. Verify current arrangements with Medicare.
We help you claim
Our sessions are not bulk-billed. This means you pay the full session fee, and Medicare then pays the rebate to you, provided you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
- You pay the full fee of $230 at the time of your session.
- Medicare pays the rebate of $101.55 into your nominated bank account, leaving a typical out-of-pocket cost of $128.45.
- We can help process the Medicare claim for you at the time of your session.
For the rebate to apply, you must have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
Telehealth sessions are eligible at the same rebate
Telehealth psychology sessions are eligible for Medicare rebates at the same rebate as in-person sessions, provided you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. We work by secure video through Halaxy Telehealth. It runs in your web browser, so there is nothing to install. Sessions run for about 50 minutes and are not recorded.
Read about telehealthMedicare, answered
A few things people often ask about rebates. If your question is not here, send us a message at directors@thpa.au.
Yes. The Medicare rebate for psychology applies only when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, along with a referral.
Book an appointment with your GP and ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan. If your GP considers it appropriate, they will prepare the plan and provide a referral.
No. You pay the full session fee of $230, and Medicare pays the rebate of $101.55 to you when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. The typical out-of-pocket cost is $128.45.
Under Better Access, you may be eligible for up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. The number resets each calendar year.
Yes. Telehealth sessions are eligible at the same rebate as in-person sessions, provided you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
You pay the full fee at the time of your session. Halaxy is our primary billing system, and card payments may be processed through Stripe (payment information only, never clinical information).
Mental Health Treatment Plans are reviewed by your GP. If you are unsure whether your plan or referral is current, speak with your GP, or contact us at directors@thpa.au.
We work across Medicare Better Access, NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed), WorkCover Queensland, DVA, and private funding. Bookings are handled securely through Halaxy. Verify current rebate and fee amounts with the relevant scheme.
Ready when you are
If you have a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you can book a session with us. If you do not yet have a plan, your first step is an appointment with your GP.
A 2-minute enquiry · a reply usually within one business day · no health details needed