If you have been thinking about seeing a psychologist but are not sure how the Medicare system works, you are not alone. The process involves a few steps and some terminology that is not always clearly explained, and it is one of the most common sources of confusion for people coming to therapy for the first time. This guide walks you through what you need to know, from your first GP appointment to claiming your rebate.
What is the Better Access initiative?
Better Access is the Australian Government program that allows eligible people to access subsidised sessions with a registered psychologist through Medicare. Its full name is Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, and it is administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Introduced in 2006, Better Access has become the most common pathway Australians use to access psychological therapy. It does not cover the full cost of seeing a psychologist, but it significantly reduces it.
Step one: see your GP
The first step is booking an appointment with your GP. It is worth asking for a longer appointment when you call, as your GP will need time to talk with you properly about your mental health.
During this appointment, your GP will assess your situation and, if appropriate, prepare two things.
The first is a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This is a document, usually three to four pages, that outlines your mental health needs and sets out a treatment approach. It is sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan, and both terms refer to the same thing. This plan is what activates your Medicare rebate entitlement.
The second is a referral letter. This is a separate letter, addressed to a psychologist, that formally refers you for treatment. These are two distinct documents and you need both. Many people receive their plan but do not realise they also need the referral, so it is worth asking your GP specifically whether you have both your Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral letter.
The document your psychologist actually needs to receive is the referral letter. According to Services Australia, the psychologist must be in receipt of a valid referral at your first appointment for a Medicare rebate to be claimed. The Mental Health Treatment Plan is an important part of the process and underpins your referral, but you do not have to hand a copy of the plan itself to your psychologist. It is the referral that they need to see. If you are unsure, bringing both to your first appointment does no harm, but the referral is the essential one.
An important change took effect on 1 November 2025. Medicare benefits for Better Access services are now only payable where the plan, review, and referral have been provided by your MyMedicare-registered practice or your usual medical practitioner, meaning the GP or practice that provides the majority of your care. You can read the official summary in the Department of Health’s Better Access redesign factsheet. You retain discretion to nominate your usual medical practitioner for your mental health care.
Step two: find a psychologist
Once you have your plan and referral, you can book with a registered psychologist. Your GP may suggest someone, or you can find a psychologist yourself. If you have not chosen one yet, the referral can be addressed simply to “Dear Psychologist”.
When contacting a practice, it is worth asking whether they are registered with Medicare for Better Access, what their session fee is and what your out-of-pocket cost will be after the rebate, and whether they have availability that suits you.
All psychologists in Australia are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and are university-trained professionals.
How many sessions can I access?
Under Better Access, eligible people can access up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate. As outlined by the Australian Psychological Society, the sessions are structured in two courses. The first course covers up to 6 sessions on your initial referral. The second course covers up to 4 further sessions, after your GP has reviewed your progress.
To access the second course, you will need to return to your GP. They will review your Mental Health Treatment Plan and, if further sessions are warranted, provide a new referral for the remaining sessions.
The 10-session entitlement resets on 1 January each year, regardless of how many sessions you used the previous year.
What does it cost?
Medicare provides a partial rebate. It covers a portion of your psychologist’s fee, and the difference, called the gap, is what you pay out of pocket.
Rebate amounts are set by the Government and are updated periodically. The most current figures can be checked at mbsonline.gov.au or by asking your psychologist’s practice directly before your first appointment.
Psychologists set their own fees, so the gap varies between practitioners and locations. Some psychologists bulk bill, meaning they charge only the Medicare rebate amount with no out-of-pocket cost, though this is less common in private practice. It is always worth asking about fees before your first appointment so there are no surprises.
What if I need more than 10 sessions?
Ten sessions is often not enough for people working through complex or long-standing difficulties. If you reach your annual cap and still need support, a few options are usually available. You can continue privately, paying the full session fee without a rebate. You can wait until 1 January, when your entitlement resets for the new calendar year. Or you can speak with your GP about whether any other funding pathways suit your circumstances.
If you are working through trauma, attachment difficulties, or other complex experiences, it is worth discussing realistic expectations around the number of sessions you may need with your psychologist from the outset.
Do I need a new plan every year?
Not necessarily. A Mental Health Treatment Plan does not automatically expire, but you will need a new or reviewed referral to continue accessing rebated sessions each year. The simplest approach is to return to your GP at the start of each calendar year, or whenever you need a new referral, and they can update your plan and issue a new referral as needed. A full review of the plan is generally only needed if your situation has changed significantly. Your GP will guide you on what is required.
A note on telehealth
Psychology sessions can be delivered in person or via telehealth, by video or phone, and Medicare rebates apply to both. Telehealth can be a useful option if you live rurally or regionally, have difficulty getting to appointments, or simply find it more practical. Since the November 2025 changes, telehealth Better Access items are linked to your MyMedicare practice or usual medical practitioner in the same way as in-person referrals.
Quick summary: the steps
- Book a longer GP appointment and ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral.
- Confirm you leave with both documents, the plan and the referral letter.
- Contact a Medicare-registered psychologist and ask about fees and availability.
- Attend your first 6 sessions, then return to your GP for a review and a referral for the remaining 4.
- Claim your Medicare rebate. Your psychologist’s practice will usually process this for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan? Your GP will assess whether you have a mental health condition that Better Access is designed to support. They make this decision during your appointment, so the best step is to book in and talk openly about what you have been experiencing.
Can my referral be used at more than one psychologist? Yes. If you decide to change psychologists, or you would prefer not to see the one your GP referred you to, you do not need a new referral. According to Services Australia, a referral remains valid even if you change your treating practitioner, so your existing referral can be used with a different psychologist. Keep in mind that your session count does not reset when you switch. Any sessions you have already used still count toward your allocation, and only the remaining sessions on that referral carry across to the new psychologist.
What happens if I do not use all 10 sessions in a year? Any unused sessions do not carry over. Your entitlement resets to a new allocation on 1 January each calendar year.
Will Medicare cover the full cost of my sessions? Not usually. Medicare provides a partial rebate, and most practices charge a fee above the rebate amount, leaving a gap that you pay. Some practices bulk bill, so it is worth asking about fees before you book.
Can I see a psychologist without going through Medicare? Yes. You can see a psychologist privately at any time without a GP referral or plan, paying the full fee yourself. The Medicare pathway simply reduces the cost for eligible people.
A final word
The Medicare system can feel confusing at first. The pathway itself is simple once you know the steps. A few things are worth remembering. The referral letter is the document your psychologist needs to see. The plan is helpful, but you do not have to hand it over. Check the fees before your first appointment. Return to your GP for a review when you reach the end of your first course of sessions.
Booking that first GP appointment is often the hardest part. It is also the step that opens the door to support.