Referrals, rebates and funding

You do not need a referral to see one of our psychologists. You are welcome to self-refer at any time, whether you are ready to start or just have a few questions first. What a referral does change is what you can claim back.

Medicare rebates

To claim a Medicare rebate, you need a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Since 1 November 2025, the plan, its reviews and the referral come from your usual GP or your MyMedicare practice. Psychiatrists and paediatricians can still refer directly.

With a plan, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions a calendar year (1 January to 31 December). The first referral covers up to 6 individual sessions. The referring doctor then reviews how you're going and can refer you again for the rest, up to 10 a year (so 4 more after the first 6).

Here's how it works.

• Book a longer appointment with your usual GP.
• Your GP prepares a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral.
• Book your psychology session with us.
• We process your Medicare rebate on the spot, and Medicare usually pays it into your bank account within 24 to 48 hours.

Medicare pays a rebate for each session and you pay the gap, which is the rest of the session fee. The gap depends on the type of session and the psychologist you see.

The Medicare Safety Net

Your gap fees count towards the Medicare Safety Net. Once the gap fees you pay for things like psychology, GP and other doctors' visits reach a set amount in a calendar year, Medicare gives you a bigger rebate for the rest of that year. The count starts again on 1 January.

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The Medicare Safety Net, in under a minute. Captions are in the player. Select CC to turn them on.

For 2026, the set amount is:

• $2,699.10 for most people
• $861.20 if you have a concession card or your family gets Family Tax Benefit Part A

Once you reach it, Medicare pays back 80% of your gap fee for each later session, on top of your usual rebate. In some cases, that could bring your out-of-pocket cost for a standard session down to between $20 and $40.

If you are single with no children, Medicare keeps count for you. Couples and families need to register once with Services Australia so their costs are added together.

NDIS

If you are an NDIS participant with psychology included in your plan, we can provide services funded through your package. Unbound Minds is a registered NDIS provider, and our team can help you work out how to use your funding for therapy or assessments.

Read more about NDIS psychology at Unbound Minds.

WorkCover and workers compensation

We see people with a NSW workers compensation claim. In NSW, the psychologist treating your claim must be approved by SIRA, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.

Your psychologist bills the insurer for approved treatment, and you pay no gap and no fee for a missed appointment. Medicare cannot be billed for a compensable injury, which means an injury covered by your claim.

Treatment needs the insurer's pre-approval, apart from a few exempt visits. Since 1 October 2026, if you are new to psychological treatment and start within 3 months of your injury, a SIRA-approved psychologist can give up to 4 consultations without pre-approval (up to 3 if you start later).

Injured at work in Queensland? We see people with a WorkCover Queensland claim by secure video. See WorkCover psychology in Queensland.

Private health insurance

Many private health policies include psychology under extras cover. How much is covered depends on your insurer and your level of cover. You can use either Medicare or private health for a session, but not both for the same appointment. Client Care, the people who answer our phones, can help you work out which one suits you better.

Employee Assistance Programs

Many Australian employers offer an Employee Assistance Program, which provides a set number of free and confidential sessions. These are usually short-term and do not need a GP referral. Check with your employer or HR team to see whether it is available to you.

Paying privately

You do not need a referral or any funding pathway at all. You can self-refer and pay the full session fee privately. Many people choose this because it is quick and straightforward, and means you can start without waiting for a GP appointment.

If cost is a concern

Tell us. We would rather talk it through than have you decide against getting help because you are not sure what it will cost. Call 1300 151 110, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, and we will walk you through the options that apply to you.