Medicare Psychology Rebates Explained: How to Access Affordable Mental Health Care
If you’re thinking about seeing a psychologist but worried about the cost, there’s good news: Medicare can help make mental health care more affordable. Here’s everything you need to know about accessing psychology rebates in Australia.
How Medicare Psychology Rebates Work
Medicare provides rebates for psychology sessions when you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP. This makes seeing a psychologist more accessible and affordable.
Current Medicare Rebate (2026)
| Rebate Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard psychology session | $96.65 |
| Sessions per calendar year | 10 |
You pay the full fee at your appointment, then claim the rebate back from Medicare. The rebate is usually deposited into your bank account within a few days.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Medicare Rebates
Step 1: Book a Long Appointment with Your GP
Tell reception you’d like a “mental health assessment” or “Mental Health Treatment Plan appointment.” This is a longer appointment (usually 30-40 minutes) so your GP has time to do the assessment.
Step 2: Talk to Your GP
Your GP will:
- Ask about your mental health concerns
- Complete a mental health assessment
- Create a Mental Health Treatment Plan
- Write a referral to a psychologist
Step 3: Find a Psychologist
You can choose any psychologist you like - you don’t have to use whoever your GP suggests. When booking, let them know you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Step 4: Attend Your Sessions
Bring your referral to your first appointment. After each session, you’ll pay the psychologist’s fee, then claim your Medicare rebate.
Step 5: Claim Your Rebate
You can claim via:
- The Medicare app (fastest)
- myGov
- In person at a Medicare office
How Many Sessions Can You Get?
With a standard Mental Health Treatment Plan:
- 10 individual sessions per calendar year
Your GP can refer you for an initial 6 sessions, then another 4 after a review.
Special Case: Eating Disorder Plan (EDP)
If you have a diagnosed eating disorder, you may be eligible for significantly more support:
- Up to 40 sessions in a 12-month period
This requires a specific Eating Disorder Treatment Plan from your GP. It’s designed to provide the intensive support that eating disorder recovery often requires.
Learn more about eating disorder treatment
What Isn’t Covered
Medicare rebates don’t cover:
- Couples therapy (unless one person has an MHTP)
- Career counselling
- Assessments for legal purposes
- Sessions beyond your annual limit
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything?
Yes - there’s usually a “gap” between the psychologist’s fee and the Medicare rebate. This varies by psychologist. Some offer reduced rates for healthcare card holders.
Can I see a psychologist without a referral?
Yes, but you won’t receive a Medicare rebate. You’ll pay the full fee out of pocket.
Do the 10 sessions reset?
Yes, they reset on January 1st each year. If you have sessions remaining at year end, they don’t roll over.
What if I need more than 10 sessions?
Options include:
- Waiting until the new calendar year
- Paying out of pocket for additional sessions
- Using private health insurance (if you have psychology cover)
- NDIS funding (if applicable)
Ready to Get Started?
The hardest part is often just making that first appointment with your GP. Once you have your Mental Health Treatment Plan, I’m here to help.
Yellow Wattle Psychology offers Medicare-eligible psychology appointments in Heidelberg West and via Telehealth.