A mental health care plan lets you claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual sessions a year with a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional. To get one, book a longer appointment with your usual GP, who assesses you, writes the plan and refers you.
Prepared by Trevor Keen Founder and Physiotherapist · Reviewed 25 October 2026 |
The official name is now a Mental Health Treatment Plan, but most people still call it a mental health care plan. It's part of Medicare's Better Access program. This guide explains who can get one, what changed in November 2025, how many sessions you get and what you'll pay in Adelaide.
At a glance
| ✓ | Medicare covers up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions per calendar year with a plan and referral. |
| ✓ | Sessions come in courses: up to 6 first, then a GP review before the rest. |
| ✓ | Since 1 November 2025, the plan must come from your usual GP or your MyMedicare practice. |
| ✓ | You can still see a psychologist anywhere, including at CHSA. |
| ✓ | Medicare pays a set rebate per session. You pay any gap between that and the fee. |
In this guide
A mental health care plan is a document your GP prepares after assessing your mental health. It sets out your goals, the treatment that may help, and a referral to a mental health professional.
With a plan and referral, Medicare pays a rebate for up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions each calendar year (1 January to 31 December). The rebate covers part of the session fee.
Better Access sessions can be provided by psychologists, and by eligible mental health social workers and occupational therapists. CHSA's psychologists accept Better Access referrals. You can also see a psychologist privately without a plan, but you won't get the Medicare rebate.
You may be eligible if your GP assesses you as having a diagnosed mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, and you need a moderate level of support.
You don't need to be in crisis to ask. If low mood, worry or stress is affecting your work, relationships or daily life, it's worth talking to your GP.
| 1 | Book a longer appointment with your usual GP Ask for a mental health care plan appointment so enough time is set aside. |
| 2 | Talk through what's going on Your GP may ask questions or use a short questionnaire to understand how you're going. |
| 3 | Get your plan and referral Your GP writes the plan and refers you for up to 6 sessions to start. |
| 4 | Book with a psychologist You can choose any psychologist who provides Better Access sessions, including one outside your GP's practice. |
What changed in November 2025
The plan must come from your usual GP
Since 1 November 2025, your plan, reviews and referrals must come from your MyMedicare registered practice or your usual GP: the one who has given you most of your care in the last year, or will in the next. MyMedicare is a free, voluntary way to register with your regular practice. Referrals written before 1 November 2025 stay valid until those sessions are used.
Already have a mental health care plan?
Our psychologists in Adelaide accept Better Access referrals at our Salisbury and Seacliff clinics, and by telehealth.
Book or referCall 08 8166 4700Medicare-rebated sessions with a plan
| Sessions | What happens next | |
|---|---|---|
| First course | Up to 6 individual sessions | Your psychologist reports back to your GP |
| After a GP review | The rest, up to 10 in the calendar year | Your GP writes a new referral if more sessions may help |
| Group therapy | Up to 10 a year | Separate from the individual sessions |
Your count resets on 1 January.
If you need more than 10 sessions in a year, you can keep seeing your psychologist privately. Your GP can also tell you about free or low-cost options, such as a Medicare Mental Health centre.
Getting the plan from your GP may be bulk billed or have a fee, depending on the practice. Ask when you book.
For each psychology session, Medicare pays a set rebate and the psychologist sets their own fee. The difference is your out-of-pocket gap. Rebates are higher for clinical psychologists than for general psychologists. CHSA's psychologists are general psychologists, so the general psychologist rebate applies.
At CHSA, a standard psychology session costs $252.99 and the gap after the Medicare rebate of $101.55 (from 1 July 2026) is $151.44. CHSA doesn't bulk bill, and we aren't a HICAPS provider, so if you have private health cover you pay in full and claim back from your insurer yourself. Current prices are on our fees page, and our guide to what a psychologist costs in Adelaide explains private health and NDIS options.
For GPs and referrers
Referring a patient to CHSA
Send Better Access referrals through our online referral form, addressed to CHSA or a named psychologist. As Medicare requires, we send you a written report at the end of each course of treatment.
If you already know who you'd like to see, tell your GP and they can address the referral to that psychologist or practice. See our psychology services for the people and approaches at CHSA.
No. You can book a psychologist without one, but you'll pay the full fee with no Medicare rebate. Some private health funds contribute under extras cover, but you can't usually claim both Medicare and private health for the same session.
Your referral covers a set number of sessions rather than a set time. After your first course of up to 6 sessions, your GP reviews how you're going and can refer you for more, up to 10 in the calendar year.
Usually yes, if the telehealth appointment is with your usual GP or MyMedicare practice. Since November 2025, telehealth mental health appointments need that existing relationship. Psychology sessions can also be by telehealth. Ask our team how your plan applies.
They're separate funding sources. Better Access covers treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition, while NDIS funding supports goals related to disability. You can't claim both for the same session. Our team can help you work out which applies.
Ask a clinic about registering with MyMedicare, which links you to a regular practice. Your plan then comes from that practice.
Use your mental health care plan with CHSA
Psychology for 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.