Mental health runs through every health journey. A diagnosis, a hospital stay, or caring for someone you love all carry an emotional weight that deserves professional attention. This guide explains what psychologists do, how talking therapies work, how Medicare plans and fees fit together, and who to call if you or someone you care about needs help right now.
In crisis? Help is a call away. Triple zero (000) or Lifeline 13 11 1410sessions
Medicare-rebated individual sessions per calendar year under Better Access1plan
a mental health care plan from your GP opens the door6years
university plus supervised practice to become a psychologist1right
you choose which psychologist you seeThe mind is not separate from the body. It is the part that carries the diagnosis.
Tricorian LifePsychology is the scientific study of behaviour, thinking and emotion. Psychologists apply that science to help people through the hardest moments of life, illness included.
Psychologists complete at least six years of university study and supervised practice, and must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Psychiatrists are different: they are medical doctors who can prescribe medicines.
Approaches like cognitive behavioural therapyCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)A structured, evidence-based therapy that examines how thoughts, feelings and behaviour interact, and builds practical skills to shift unhelpful patterns. (CBT) are structured and evidence-based, not just chatting. Sessions build skills you keep for life.
A diagnosis brings grief, anxiety and uncertainty. Health psychologists and clinical psychologists help people adjust to illness, stick with treatment, and manage the emotional load that comes with it.
Carers carry a quiet load of stress, exhaustion and anticipatory grief. Psychology is for them as much as for the patient, and carer support services exist in every state.
Persistent low mood, anxiety that interferes with daily life, sleep problems, trouble coping after a diagnosis, or feeling overwhelmed for weeks are all good reasons to talk to a professional. Early help works best.
If you or someone you care for is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). Free 24/7 support is listed in our Help Right Now section, for you and for the people around you.
In Australia, the usual route to affordable psychology runs through your GP. It is simpler than most people expect.
Book a longer appointment with your GP and describe how you have been feeling. Be honest, this is the assessment. If you are an employee, ask about your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) too, it may offer free sessions with no referral needed.
Your GP prepares a mental health care planMental health care planAn assessment with your GP that opens access to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions, up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year., which unlocks Medicare rebates for psychological therapy.
You choose who you see. Ask for recommendations, or search registered psychologists near you. Fit matters, so it is okay to try more than one. Ask about fees up front so you know what you will pay after the rebate.
Sessions usually run 50 minutes, often weekly or fortnightly. Between sessions, you practise the skills you are building.
Your GP reviews how you are going, and your psychologist reports back on the plan. If you need more support, your GP can arrange it.
Mental health care involves several professions. Knowing the difference helps you find the right support faster.
Provides assessment and talking therapies like CBT. Cannot prescribe medicines. Most Medicare-rebated therapy happens here.
A medical doctor specialising in mental illness, who can diagnose, prescribe medicines and admit to hospital when needed. Referral from a GP is standard.
Provide care coordination, community support and therapy in public services, hospitals and outreach teams, often alongside psychologists.
Holds the whole picture, writes your care plan, monitors your physical health, and coordinates the team around you.
Psychology in Australia runs on a simple structure: a GP assessment, Medicare rebates, and fees set by each practitioner. The Medicare program behind it is called Better AccessBetter Access initiativeA Medicare program providing rebates for mental health treatment from psychologists and other eligible professionals, up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions per calendar year.. Once you know the pieces, there are no surprises at the counter.
Your GP prepares a mental health care planMental health care planAn assessment with your GP that opens access to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions, up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.. This is usually a longer appointment, and the plan does not expire.
The plan starts with a referral for up to 6 rebated sessions with a psychologist or another eligible professional.
After those sessions, your GP reviews how you are going and can refer you for more support in the same calendar year.
That takes you to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. The count resets every 1 January, and you can return for a new plan at any time.
Go back to your GP. They can assess whether a further course is appropriate, or point you to other supports such as group programs, Head to Health, or a psychiatrist.
A separate allowance of 10 group therapy sessions is also available each calendar year. Group sessions do not include couples or family therapy.
With a plan, Medicare rebates part of every session. For a 50 minute session with a clinical psychologistClinical psychologistA psychologist with advanced training in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, attracting a higher Medicare rebate., the current schedule fee is $175.30 and the rebate is $149.05. With a registered psychologist it is $119.45 and $101.55. Fees and rebates change, so check MBS Online.
Psychologists set their own fees, commonly around $150 to $260 per session. You pay the gapGap feeThe difference between what a practitioner charges and what Medicare rebates. Some practices bulk bill, which means no gap for eligible patients., the difference between the fee and the rebate. Some practices bulk billBulk billingWhen a practitioner charges Medicare directly and accepts the rebate as full payment, so you pay nothing for the session., and reaching the Medicare Safety Net can lift your rebates further.
Many employers provide an Employee Assistance ProgramEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)A confidential counselling service paid for by an employer, usually free for employees and often their immediate family, typically without a referral. (EAP): free, confidential short term counselling with no referral needed. Ask your HR or People team, your manager, or check your intranet. Sessions are usually capped, and the service can help you step across to longer term support afterwards.
No plan? You can still see any psychologist privately by paying the full fee. A mental health care plan simply unlocks the Medicare rebates above.
If you are in distress, or concerned about a loved one, a friend, or someone in your community, support is free, confidential and available around the clock. You do not need a referral, a plan, or a reason big enough. If anyone is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000) first.
If someone's life is in danger, or you fear they may harm themselves or others, call triple zero now. If you cannot speak safely, press 55 when prompted to alert police without talking.
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone in Australia.
13 11 1424/7 phone and online counselling if you are feeling suicidal, worried about someone, or grieving a suicide loss.
1300 659 46724/7 support by phone and online chat for anxiety, depression and tough times.
1300 22 463624/7 counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25, and the adults who care about them.
1800 55 180024/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for their communities.
13 92 7624/7 phone and online counselling for men, with relationship and family support too.
1300 78 99 7824/7 national service for anyone experiencing or affected by family, domestic or sexual violence.
1800 737 732Government phone service and walk-in centres offering free or low-cost mental health care, no referral needed.
headtohealth.gov.auWorried about someone else? You can call any of these services for advice about how to help. If the person will not call, you can call on their behalf. For a friend, colleague or community member, starting the conversation and helping them connect with support is often the most valuable step you can take.
Many employers provide an Employee Assistance Program: free, confidential counselling with no referral needed, usually for you and often your immediate family. Ask your HR or People team, your manager, or check your intranet. If you are not sure where to start, your HR team is the right door to knock on.
You can see a psychologist privately without one, but a mental health care plan from your GP is what unlocks Medicare rebates. It is the standard first step for most people.
Psychologists set their own fees, commonly around $150 to $260 per session. Medicare rebates part of that. For a 50 minute session, the current rebate is $149.05 with a clinical psychologist and $101.55 with a registered psychologist. Some practices bulk bill, and community options like Head to Health are free or low cost.
Psychologists deliver assessment and talking therapies. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medicines, and they manage the more complex or severe end of mental illness. The two often work together.
It varies with the person and the concern. Some people feel real change in a handful of sessions; others work with their psychologist for longer. Your psychologist will discuss goals and progress along the way.
Yes, with limited legal exceptions around serious risk of harm. Your psychologist will explain confidentiality and its limits in your first session, before you share anything.
Yes. Carers can get their own mental health care plan, and dedicated services like Carer Gateway provide counselling, peer support and respite, often free of charge.
An Employee Assistance Program is a confidential counselling service your employer pays for. It is usually free for you, often covers your immediate family, and needs no referral. Ask your HR or People team or your manager for the phone number, or check your intranet. Sessions are usually capped, and EAP counsellors can help you step across to longer term support if you need it.
If someone's life is in danger, call triple zero (000). If you are in distress or worried about someone else, the services in our Help Right Now section are free, confidential and open 24/7. You can call for yourself, or for advice about helping someone you care about.
If you need guidance on the mental health side of a care pathway, understanding a care plan, or finding the right professional for your situation, reach out and our team will help. We respond within 24 hours.
Talk to our team or email [email protected]