Frequently Asked Questions

Consult with your primary care physician or a general practitioner (GP). They can assess your needs and refer you to a mental health professional, if necessary.

Meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor. They can diagnose any mental health conditions you may have and develop a treatment plan for you.

Request a mental health care plan from the mental health professional. They will fill out the necessary paperwork and provide you with a copy.

Take the mental health care plan to your GP who will sign it and provide you with a referral to a psychologist.

Use the mental health care plan to claim rebates from Medicare.

1. Ensure that you have a valid mental health care plan, which is developed by a GP or psychiatrist.
2. Visit a psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker who is registered with Medicare and provides services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.
3. Pay the full fee for the service at the time of your appointment.
4. Medicare will process your claim and transfer the rebate amount to your nominated bank account.

It is important to note that the Medicare rebate for mental health services is subject to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for the service, so you may need to pay the gap (the difference) between the MBS fee and the fee charged by the provider. Also, there may be a waiting time for the rebate to be processed and deposited into your account.

You can also use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app to claim your rebate, or you can claim it online by registering to myGov, linking it to your Medicare account and submitting your claim.

Yes, you may be able to receive a Medicare rebate for psychological assessments in Australia. Under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, psychological assessments are included as a service that can be provided by psychologists registered with Medicare. The assessments may be used to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for mental health conditions, and they can be covered by the Medicare rebates.

However, it is important to note that psychological assessments are not covered by the standard Better Access initiative and require a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (GPMHTP) and referral to a clinical psychologist. Also, the number of sessions covered by the rebate may be limited and the assessment must be clinically necessary.

It is best to check with your GP or mental health professional to ensure that you are eligible for the rebates for psychological assessments and that the service is covered under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Additionally, you may need to pay the gap (the difference) between the MBS fee and the fee charged by the provider.

A psychologist is a professional who is trained to help people understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When you see a psychologist, you can expect to have a conversation about your concerns and what you hope to achieve through therapy. The psychologist may also ask you questions about your symptoms, medical history, and other relevant information. Based on this information, the psychologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include a combination of talk therapy and other strategies to help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being. You may also be given exercises or homework to work on between sessions. 

A registered psychologist is a professional who has completed a graduate degree in psychology and has met the qualifications for registration with the professional body that regulates the practice of psychology in their country. They are trained to provide a wide range of mental health services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions.

A clinical psychologist is a type of registered psychologist who specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. They typically have extensive training in the use of psychotherapy and other evidence-based treatments, and may work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, private practice and community health centre's.

A forensic psychologist is a type of registered psychologist who specializes in the application of psychology to legal issues. They may work in a variety of settings such as criminal justice system, civil litigation, and family law. They may conduct assessments, evaluations and provide expert testimony on issues related to criminal responsibility, competency to stand trial, child custody, and other legal matters.

In summary, a registered psychologist is a broad term referring to professionals who are registered and have met qualifications for registration to practice psychology, a clinical psychologist is a registered psychologist who specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, and a forensic psychologist is a type of clinical psychologist who specializes in applying psychology to legal issues.

The frequency of therapy sessions can vary depending on the individual's needs and the type of therapy they are receiving. Some people may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may only need to see a psychologist once a month or less. It's important to discuss the frequency of sessions with your psychologist, as they will be able to recommend a schedule that is appropriate for your specific situation.

In general, the initial sessions may be more frequent (e.g. once or twice a week) to establish rapport, gather more information and make a treatment plan. Later on, the sessions may be less frequent and spaced out as the treatment progresses. The frequency of session may also depend on the type of therapy. For example, some therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may have a more time-limited and structured approach, and sessions may be less frequent as the therapy progresses. Other therapies such as psychoanalytic therapy may have a more open-ended approach and the frequency of sessions may be more consistent over the course of treatment.

Ultimately, it is important to work with your psychologist to find a schedule that works best for you and your needs. They can help you decide on how often you should meet, and they can adjust the schedule as needed based on your progress in therapy.

Yes, Medicare Australia provides rebates for mental health services through the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This initiative allows people with a mental health care plan, which is developed by a GP or psychiatrist, to claim rebates for a range of services provided by psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers.

Under the initiative, people can claim a rebate for up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions per calendar year with a psychologist. They can also claim a rebate for up to 20 individual and 20 group sessions per calendar year with an occupational therapist or social worker who provides psychological services.

It's important to note that the rebates for mental health services through Medicare are subject to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for the service, and you will need to pay the gap (the difference) between the MBS fee and the fee charged by the provider. Additionally, it's a good idea to check with your GP or mental health professional to ensure that you are eligible for the rebates and that the services you are seeking are covered under the MBS.