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Medicare Rebates for Mental Health in Australia

Accessing mental health support in Australia can be more affordable with Medicare rebates. If you are eligible, Medicare can cover part of the cost of sessions with a registered psychologist.

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What is a Medicare rebate for mental health?

A Medicare rebate is a partial refund provided by the Australian Government for eligible mental health services.

If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan and see an eligible psychologist, you can receive a rebate for each session.

What is a Mental Health Care Plan?

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), sometimes referred to as a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), is a personalised plan created with your GP.

It helps you access Medicare-supported psychology sessions, reducing the cost of therapy and making professional mental health support more accessible.

Book a Medicare funded session at Resplora

1. Get a Mental Health Care Plan

Start by booking an appointment with a GP to obtain a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral to a psychologist.

If you prefer, you can also arrange this through an online GP appointment, making the process quicker and more convenient.

2. Book Your Therapy Session

Choose a psychologist and select a time that suits your schedule.

Your session will be charged at the full fee, and you can claim your Medicare rebate after the appointment.

3. Provide Your Care Plan and Referral

Upload your Mental Health Care Plan and referral details to your Resplora account.

This ensures your sessions are eligible for Medicare rebates.

4. Claim Your Medicare Rebate

After your session, simply submit your claim through Medicare.

Your rebate will be paid directly into your nominated bank account.

FAQ

Under the current rules, you can receive rebates for up to 10 psychology sessions within a single calendar year when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. ​ These sessions are partially funded by Medicare, meaning you pay the gap (out‑of‑pocket amount) and Medicare refunds a fixed portion for each eligible appointment. ​
To obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you must see a GP who will complete a mental health assessment and decide if a plan is appropriate for you. ​ You will also need to hold a valid Medicare card, live in Australia, and receive a referral to a registered psychologist so that you can claim Medicare rebates for your sessions. ​
Yes, you can arrange both your referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan via telehealth by booking an online consultation with their partner GP service, Hola Health. ​ These online GP appointments can be bulk billed when you are eligible, allowing you to get your plan and referral without needing to visit a clinic in person. ​
Medicare rebates for mental health are generally tied to services delivered by eligible professionals such as registered psychologists under a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan. ​ If you want to claim rebates, you need to make sure the practitioner is appropriately registered and that your referral and plan are set up for that type of provider. ​
Some GPs and services offer bulk‑billed consultations for preparing your Mental Health Treatment Plan, and partner providers like Hola Health may bulk bill eligible online GP appointments. ​ For psychology sessions themselves, each clinician sets their own fees, so you’ll usually pay a private fee and then receive the Medicare rebate back into your bank account after the session. ​
Yes, you can see a different psychologist using the same Mental Health Treatment Plan, as long as the referral and session limits under Medicare are still valid. ​ If you change providers, you may need an updated referral letter from your GP so that your new psychologist can correctly process your Medicare claims. ​
Yes, in some circumstances you can access rebates through an Eating Disorder Plan or a Chronic Disease Management Plan when your GP or specialist has created one for you. ​ These plans have their own eligibility rules and session limits, so your doctor will advise which type of plan is most suitable for your situation and how many rebated sessions you can claim. ​