Do you need a referral to see a psychologist in Australia?

If you have ever wondered whether you need a referral to see a psychologist in Australia, you are not alone. The short answer is no, you do not need a referral to book an appointment with a psychologist. However, if you want to access Medicare rebates to help cover the cost, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Can you see a psychologist without a referral?

Yes, absolutely. In Australia, psychologists are primary contact health professionals. This means you can pick up the phone, book an appointment, and attend a session without needing a referral from anyone. When you self-refer, you pay the full session fee privately.

At Unbound Minds, we welcome self-referred clients every day. Whether you have been thinking about therapy for a while or something has come up, you do not need to wait for paperwork to be in place before booking.

You can book a psychologist without a referral. This 47-second film explains when a referral matters.

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Why would you get a referral? Medicare rebates explained

Under the Australian Government's Better Access initiative, if you have a diagnosed mental health condition with at least moderate care needs, you can receive a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions per calendar year. To access these rebates, you need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your usual GP or your MyMedicare practice, or a referral straight from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. Your gap fees also count towards the Medicare Safety Net, which can mean a bigger rebate later in the year.

Watch: the Medicare Safety Net, in under a minute

Other referral pathways

NDIS

If you are an NDIS participant with psychology included in your plan, you can access sessions funded through your NDIS package.

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Many Australian employers offer EAP services, which provide a set number of free and confidential counselling sessions.

WorkCover and workers compensation

If you have experienced a psychological injury at work, you may be able to access psychology sessions through your workers compensation claim.

Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)

Veterans and eligible family members can access psychology services through DVA.

How to get a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan

• Book a long appointment with your usual GP.
• Your GP will ask you some questions. They will want to understand what you have been experiencing and how it is affecting your daily life.
• Your GP will complete the plan. They will write a referral to a psychologist.
• You choose your psychologist. You are always free to choose your own psychologist.

What to tell your GP

• Be honest about what you are experiencing. You do not need a specific diagnosis in mind.
• Mention how long it has been going on.
• Say you would like a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. GPs hear this request regularly.
• Let them know if you already have a psychologist in mind.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you have a referral in hand or you would prefer to self-refer, we're here to help. We see referred and self-referred clients at Gledswood Hills, Kingswood and by telehealth. Call 1300 151 110 to book, with no referral needed.