How to Get a Mental Health Care Plan in Australia
You've decided you want to see a psychologist, so what happens next? For a lot of people, the first step is a Mental Health Care Plan. Here's what it is, how to get one, and what it means for the cost of your sessions.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a document your GP prepares that can give you access to Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions under Australia's Better Access initiative. If you have Medicare and you're experiencing mental health challenges that are affecting your day-to-day life, you may be eligible for up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year. Your GP is the one who assesses whether a plan is right for you.
How to get a Mental Health Care Plan
The process is more straightforward than most people expect:
- Book a longer GP appointment. When you book, mention that you'd like to talk about a Mental Health Care Plan, as this usually needs more time than a standard appointment.
- Talk it through with your GP. They'll ask about what's been going on for you and assess whether a plan is appropriate.
- Your GP prepares the plan. If a plan is suitable, you'll work through it together. It identifies what you're experiencing, sets out some goals, and includes a referral to a psychologist. Your GP will usually refer you for up to six sessions to begin with.
- See your psychologist. You can take your plan and referral to any psychologist you choose.
- Return to your GP for a review. After your first block of sessions, your psychologist sends a brief progress report back to your GP. You then return to your GP for a review to access any remaining sessions, up to a total of 10 per calendar year.
How the Medicare rebate works
Having a plan doesn't usually make sessions free, but it does reduce the cost. You pay for your session and then claim a Medicare rebate on part of the fee.
As of 1 July 2026, the rebate is $101.55 per session with a general psychologist and $149.05 per session with a clinical psychologist. These amounts are set by Medicare and are usually indexed each year, so it's worth checking the current figure. Most psychologists in private practice charge above the rebate amount, which means there's generally an out-of-pocket cost, sometimes called a gap fee, to pay for each session.
Eating Disorder Plans (EDP)
If you're experiencing an eating disorder, you may be eligible for an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP), which can provide access to more sessions than a standard plan, up to 40 psychological treatment sessions within a 12-month period.
You access an EDP in a similar way to a Mental Health Care Plan, through your GP, who will let you know whether you meet the eligibility criteria. An EDP has more specific rules and review points, so it helps to keep track of your sessions to make the most of your support.
Other ways to see a psychologist
A Mental Health Care Plan is just one option. You can also see a psychologist:
- Through bulk-billing services like Headspace or university psychology clinics
- Privately, paying the full fee yourself
- Through your private health insurance
- Through work, if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Through the NDIS
- Through TAC claims, WorkCover, or Victim Support
Each of these options has its own rules and processes. The best approach is to contact the service handling your payments. They can guide you step by step and answer any questions about accessing a psychologist.
Finding a psychologist that fits
Once you have your plan, you can bring it to any psychologist you choose, so it's worth taking a moment to find someone who feels like the right fit. If you're not sure where to start, Pair is a free platform that can help you find and get in touch with a psychologist who suits you.
