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Medicare Rebates for Psychology: A Simple Guide [2026]
Under the Australian Government’s Better Access Initiative, Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatments by registered psychologists. This scheme enables valuable assistance to people living with mental health problems, providing them with greater access to psychologists and allowing more affordable mental healthcare.
As of July 1st 2026, eligible individuals with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) can claim the following rebates:
- $149.05 for a 50-minute session with a clinical psychologist
- $101.55 for sessions with a general psychologist
- $89.50 for sessions with an accredited social worker
How Medicare Rebates for Psychology Work
Under the Better Access Scheme a general or clinical psychologist must be registered with Medicare and have a Medicare Provider Number in order to be able to provide rebateable services.
The cost for a psychological treatment will vary depending on the practitioner and service being offered. In some instances, the psychologist may bulk bill, such as for aged pensioners and health care card holders.However, the cost is usually higher than the Medicare rebate and in these cases you will need to pay the difference between what the psychologist charges you and the Medicare rebate.
Many psychologists will be able to put your claim through to Medicare to be reimbursed directly into your bank account. Alternatively, you will have to pay the full amount of the consultation and use your detailed receipt to claim a Medicare rebate.
What Medicare Covers for Psychology
Diagnosed mental health conditions, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- PTSD
- OCD
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Adjustment disorders
- Individual sessions, both in person and via telehealth
- Group therapy sessions
What Medicare Doesn’t Cover for Psychology
- Couples counselling
- Couples or relationship counselling
- Psychological assessments and testing
- ADHD, autism or cognitive assessments
- Reports for court, insurance or workplace purposes
- Sessions without a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral
- Sessions beyond your annual limit
- Counsellors and psychotherapists who aren’t registered psychologists
- Conditions such as dementia and intellectual disability, which fall outside Better Access
Who’s Eligible for a Medicare Psychology Rebate?
To be eligible for a psychology rebate, first you must be diagnosed with a qualifying mental health disorder,such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders. You will be required to have a valid Medicare card and need a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) prepared by a General Practitioner (GP), Psychiatrist or Paediatrician.
How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan
To access mental health treatments under Medicare you must be referred by your GP, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician. If a GP is the referring practitioner, he or she will need to prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a psychologist.
Seeing Your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan
To get a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will need to have an assessment conducted by your GP. They will discuss what you have been experiencing (Your symptoms) and ask you questions about your medical history and emotional wellbeing, often using a short questionnaire. Once some background is established, together you will build a plan that takes into account your goals and capacities.
Getting a Referral to a Psychologist
Once you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan yourGP will issue a referral letter to an eligible mental health professional, such as a psychologist, clinical psychologist, mental health-accredited social worker, or occupational therapist.
How Much Is the Medicare Rebate for Psychology?
As of July 1st 2026, eligible individuals with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) can claim the following rebates:
- $149.05 for a 50-minute session with a clinical psychologist
- $101.55 for sessions with a general psychologist
- $89.50 for sessions with an accredited social worker
Clinical Psychologist vs General Psychologist Rebates
The main differences between a General Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist in Australia involves their training path/level of education, Medicare rebate levels, and specific endorsements.
Clinical Psychologists have a higher level of training and education and hold an area of Practice Endorsement in clinical psychology from the Psychology Board of Australia. Sessions with Clinical Psychologists have a higher rebate of $149.05, however the cost to see one is typically greater than that of a General Psychologist, meaning the gap may end up being the same or more. The rebate for a session with a General Psychologist is $101.55.
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Psychology Sessions
You are responsible for paying any charges in excess of the Medicare rebate. However, these out-of-pocket expenses will count towards the Medicare Safety Net.
How Many Psychology Sessions Does Medicare Cover?
Under the Better Access Initiative individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder can access rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group treatment sessions per year. However, you must first visit a General Practitioner (GP), psychiatrist, or paediatrician to be assessed and get a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
When Your Medicare Psychology Sessions Reset
The 10-session cap is based on a calendar year and resets on January 1st every year, regardless of when you used them or how many sessions you have remaining to claim. For example, if you started seeing a psychologist on November 1st and have used 4 sessions by December 31st, then the following day (January 1st) you will revert to having 10 sessions available for rebates. Note that you cannot accumulate sessions over years.
How Your Mental Health Treatment Plan Is Reviewed
Your Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is reviewed by your General Practitioner (GP), psychiatrist, or paediatrician after your initial round of 6 sessions with a mental health professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist). Prior to your review appointment, your mental health provider usually sends a progress report back to your GP to detail how treatment is going. If your GP and mental health provider feel you need further support, the review allows your GP to issue a referral for the remaining 4 sessions that the rebate covers.