A standard psychology session at CHSA costs $252.99. With a mental health care plan from your GP, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 10 sessions a year, which brings your out-of-pocket cost down to $151.44 per session.
Prepared by Trevor Keen Founder and Physiotherapist · Reviewed 25 October 2026 |
Psychologists set their own fees, so prices vary between practices. This guide explains what affects the cost, how Medicare, the NDIS and private health insurance can help, and what to ask before you book.
At a glance
| ✓ | Medicare rebates need a mental health care plan and referral from your usual GP. |
| ✓ | The rebate covers part of each session; you pay the gap. |
| ✓ | The NDIS can fund psychology as a therapy support if it relates to your disability and goals. |
| ✓ | You can't usually claim Medicare and private health for the same session. |
| ✓ | You can book without a referral, but you'll pay the full fee. |
In this guide
With a mental health care plan and referral from your usual GP, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year. The rebate is a set amount; you pay the difference between the fee and the rebate, called the gap.
Rebates for clinical psychologists are higher than for general psychologists. CHSA's psychologists are general psychologists, so the general psychologist rebate applies: $101.55 per session from 1 July 2026 (MBS item 80110). On our $252.99 fee, that leaves a gap of $151.44.
Want to know what you'd pay?
Our team can talk through your options, whether you have a mental health care plan, NDIS funding or private cover.
Book or referCall 08 8166 4700Yes, if it helps you build or keep your everyday functioning and relates to your plan goals. It's usually funded as a therapy support under Improved Daily Living, in your capacity building budget.
How you pay depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed. NDIS prices are capped and updated each year.
Some extras policies contribute to psychology sessions, depending on your fund and level of cover, often with yearly limits. CHSA isn't a HICAPS provider, so you pay in full at the session, keep the receipt and claim back from your insurer yourself, usually through its app. Many of our clients do. You can't usually claim both Medicare and private health for the same session, so check which gives you the better result.
Our current fees are on our fees page, and our psychology services page explains who you can see. If you're booking for the first time, read what actually happens in your first psychology session.
Some do in limited circumstances, but most charge a fee above the Medicare rebate. CHSA doesn't bulk bill: we charge a set fee, and you pay the gap between that and any rebate. If cost is a barrier, ask your GP about free or low-cost options through a Medicare Mental Health centre.
Yes. The first session is charged like any other, and the Medicare rebate applies if you have a mental health care plan.
Not for standard psychology sessions. Separate Medicare items exist for some assessments, such as autism assessments for people under 25 referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Book a psychologist in Adelaide
Adults, young people and children at our Salisbury and Seacliff clinics. Send your referral or call us to book.
Book or referSee our feesPrepared by
Trevor Keen Founder, Conscious Healthcare SA · Physiotherapist (AHPRA PHY0002063374) · Master of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Psychological Studies, Flinders University |
Trevor is a physiotherapist whose lived experience of disability led him to found CHSA, bringing psychology, assessments, occupational therapy, behaviour support and dietetics under one roof in Adelaide. He has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Studies at Flinders University, is now studying psychology at honours level, and helps write our guides alongside the clinicians who deliver each service.
Sources
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. Speak with your GP or one of our team about what's right for you.