Medicare Rebates
Under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, individuals can access financial assistance for psychological treatment, making mental health care more affordable.
In any one calendar year, an eligible person can receive Medicare Rebates for up to 10 sessions with a psychologist. This can be accessed every year.
To access the Medicare Rebate, you need to visit your GP and ask for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). If the doctor assesses you as eligible, she/he will give you a referral for six sessions, and if needed, a follow-up referral for four sessions, making the total 10 sessions.
It is common for people to continue with psychological treatment beyond the initial 10 sessions, sometimes going on to use private health cover assistance if they have it. Some people prefer to have a session once a month and utilise their sessions throughout the year, to help support and maintain good mental health.