Medicare Rebate Psychologist

All psychologists working for Psychology Melbourne in Australia are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and have Medicare provider numbers, enabling you to claim a Medicare rebate for your counselling consultations and some group sessions.

To claim these rebates, you must have a referral, in the form of a Mental Health Care Plan, from your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. Eligible people can receive:

Please note: Medicare doesn’t cover you while you’re overseas, please also check with your Private Health provider if applicable

Counselling

Clients with a Mental Health Care Plan receive the same rebates for online counselling as for face-to-face counselling.

Please Note: a GP referral and Mental Health Plan is required PRIOR to your first appointment in order to receive a Medicare rebate. Medicare will not pay a rebate if the Plan is dated after the appointment.

To claim these rebates, you must have a referral and Mental Heal Care Plan prior to your first appointment, from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. Those eligible can receive:

• 10 individual counselling sessions in a calendar year. Your referring doctor MUST assess your progress after the first 6 sessions in order to access the following 4 sessions

Group Therapy & Short Courses

Medicare rebates apply if you have a Mental Health Care Plan. If not, you will need to see your GP for a referral and MHCP before attending the first course.

Your claim will be processed online for you, and the rebate will be transferred to your nominated bank account. Alternatively, we can provide you with an invoice which you claim online or take to any Medicare branch to claim your rebate.

Please Note: Medicare applies a rule for Telehealth Groups that at the time of attendance, the patient is at least 15km by road from where the psychologist is delivering the group. The location of the group will be clearly shown on the website – or you can check with reception on 1300 161 639.

If Medicare has your bank account details, we can process the rebate claim online for you, and the rebate will be transferred to your nominated bank account. Alternatively, we can provide an invoice which you claim online or take to any Medicare branch to claim your rebate.

Some Private Health funds will cover these as well. Please check with your fund.

Psychological testing and Assessments

Medicare does not provide rebates for Testing and Assessments, but you can claim the initial consultation in your test package.

Please note: Medicare rebates are only available to those clients who have a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan.

Getting a Mental Health Care Plan

When making an appointment with your GP, it is important to tell the receptionist that you are requesting a referral to a psychologist, as your doctor needs approximately 30 minutes to discuss the plan with you and fill in the required paperwork.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, the Medicare rebate in 2024 for a 50-minute consultation will be $96.65 for Registered and Endorsed psychologists, and for a Clinical psychologist its $141.85 You will however be eligible for a significantly higher rebate, once you reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold.

Private Health Information

All our psychologists are registered with Private Health Insurance Companies such as Medibank Private, BUPA, AHM, HCF, NIB and Australian Unity.

Private health rebates are not yet available online however this feature is waiting to be introduced in the New Year.

Psychological services are covered by most private health funds, but you cannot make a Medicare claim if you choose to be covered by your private health fund.

Your invoice will be emailed to you if you wish to make a private health claim.

Terms & Conditions

Please Note: Counselling appointments MUST be pre-paid 48 hours prior to the appointment, or it will be placed on our waitlist and can be cancelled.

Late Cancellations within 48 hours of the appointment are charged at 50% of the fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are charged at 100% of the full fee. This enables us to service all our clients on the waiting list.

Our standard fees apply to daytime appointments (9am-5pm).

After hour appointments (before 9am and from 5pm) incur a $10 surcharge per session.

Medicare will cover approximately 50% of the fee (if you have a Mental Health Care Plan).

For more information or to make an appointment contact us on our Live Chat, phone 1300 161 639 or send us an email via our contact form.