Guide
How Medicare can help with the cost
A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP can lower the cost of seeing a psychologist and some other professionals.
In this guide
- What a Mental Health Treatment Plan is
- How many sessions Medicare helps with
- What you pay
- Free services with no referral
1. What a Mental Health Treatment Plan is
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a plan your GP (family doctor) writes with you. It is part of a Medicare program called Better Access. A psychiatrist or paediatrician can also refer you.
From 1 November 2025, your plan, its reviews and your referrals must come from the GP practice where you are registered for MyMedicare, or from your usual GP. Your usual GP is the doctor who gave you most of your care in the last 12 months. You can ask the GP for a free interpreter.
2. How many sessions Medicare helps with
With a plan, Medicare pays part of the cost of up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions each calendar year. These can be with a psychologist, an eligible social worker or an eligible occupational therapist. Your first referral is for up to 6 sessions. If you need more, your doctor can refer you again. Sessions can be in person, by video or by phone.
3. What you pay
Each professional sets their own fee. Medicare usually pays part of it, and you pay the rest (the “gap”). Some professionals bulk bill, which means you pay nothing. On HeartChat you can choose “Medicare rebate” or “Bulk billing available” under Fees and funding.
Counsellors and psychotherapists are not part of Better Access, so Medicare does not pay towards their fees. Their fees are often lower, and some take private health insurance.
4. Free services with no referral
- Medicare Mental Health Centres: walk in and talk to someone. Free and confidential, and you do not need a referral or an appointment. Call 1800 595 212.
- Medicare Mental Health Check In: free help for people aged 16 and over who are starting to feel down or anxious. This service started in 2026.
- headspace: for young people aged 12 to 25. Free or low cost.