Refer a Patient for Psychology Support
Refer a patient to Therapy Near Me for psychological assessment and treatment with an AHPRA-registered psychologist. We accept eligible referrals under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, referrals associated with a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan, direct referrals from eligible psychiatrists and paediatricians, private psychology referrals and approved third-party-funded referrals.
Telehealth psychology appointments are available Australia-wide. Selected in-person appointments may also be available, depending on the patient’s location, clinical needs and practitioner capacity.
Submit the secure referral form and our intake team will contact the patient or nominated representative to discuss practitioner suitability, appointment availability, fees, Medicare rebates and the next steps.
Referral pathways and service features
Medicare Better Access referrals
Eligible referrals under a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan.
Registered psychologists
Patients are matched with a psychologist according to age, presenting concerns, preferences, clinical suitability and availability.
Australia-wide Telehealth
Secure video appointments are available throughout Australia where Telehealth is clinically appropriate.
Communication with the referrer
The treating psychologist provides the required written report at the completion of each referred course of treatment.
How the referral process works
1
Submit the referral:
Submit the referral Provide the patient’s contact details, reason for referral, relevant clinical information and the number of treatment services requested. Upload the signed referral letter and any relevant supporting documents.
2
Referral review
Our intake team reviews the referral for clinical suitability, practitioner scope, risk, preferred delivery method, location and current availability.
3
Patient contact and matching
We contact the patient, parent, guardian or nominated representative to discuss appointment options, fees, Medicare rebates, consent and practitioner matching.
4
Treatment and referrer communication
The psychologist provides assessment and treatment within the scope of the referral and sends the required written report to the referring practitioner at the completion of the course of treatment.
GP Referral Form
Use this form to refer a plan-managed or self-managed NDIS participant for support. Please provide only information relevant to assessing the referral and arranging suitable services.
Referral pathways
Mental Health Treatment Plan referrals
Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan
Direct psychiatrist and paediatrician referrals
Private psychology referrals
Other approved funding pathways
What to include in a Medicare referral
The written referral should be signed and dated and include:
• Presenting concerns and reason for referral
• Relevant diagnoses, history and current medications
• Risk or safety information relevant to service delivery
• Requested assessment, treatment or report
• Patient preferences, communication needs and accessibility requirements
• Relevant reports, discharge summaries or Mental Health Treatment Plan documents
The referrer may also include relevant history, treatment goals, risk or safety information, communication needs and supporting reports. A copy of the Mental Health Treatment Plan may be attached where appropriate and with the patient’s agreement, but the plan does not replace the referral.
Fees and Medicare rebates
Our standard fee for a 50-minute appointment with a registered psychologist is $195. From 1 July 2026, the Medicare benefit for an eligible individual appointment of at least 50 minutes with an eligible registered psychologist is $101.55. At a $195 fee, the expected gap is $93.45 before any applicable Medicare Safety Net benefit.
The same $101.55 benefit currently applies to the corresponding 50-minute-or-longer video item for an eligible registered psychologist. Eligibility, referral requirements, annual service limits and the relevant MBS item must be satisfied.
Different fees and Medicare benefits may apply to other practitioners, service lengths or item numbers. Our intake team will confirm the practitioner’s fee, expected Medicare benefit and likely out-of-pocket cost before the first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Mental Health Treatment Plan the same as a referral?
No. A Mental Health Treatment Plan records the patient’s assessment and care arrangements, but it is not itself the allied mental-health referral. Therapy Near Me must receive a valid signed and dated referral containing the required information before the first Medicare-funded psychology consultation.
Must the full Mental Health Treatment Plan be uploaded?
No. The valid referral is required. The referral must state whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan has been prepared. A copy of the plan may be attached where appropriate and with the patient’s agreement.
How many psychology sessions can be included in the initial referral?
The initial individual course of treatment may include a maximum of six services. The referring practitioner decides the number of services within that limit.
What happens after the initial course?
At the completion of the initial course, the psychologist provides a written report to the referring practitioner. If further treatment is clinically appropriate, the patient may receive a new referral for the remaining services available within the annual limit.
Can patients be seen by Telehealth?
Yes. Therapy Near Me offers secure video psychology appointments Australia-wide where Telehealth is clinically appropriate. Medicare eligibility and referral requirements still apply.
Can a patient attend without a referral?
Yes. A patient may attend as a fully private client without a formal referral. They cannot claim a Better Access Medicare benefit unless the applicable eligibility and referral requirements are satisfied.
How many Better Access services are available each year?
Eligible patients may claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental-health treatment services per calendar year. A separate combined limit of up to 10 group therapy services also applies.
Does a Mental Health Treatment Plan expire?
Eligible patients may claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental-health treatment services per calendar year. A separate combined limit of up to 10 group therapy services also applies.
Can unused referral sessions be used in the next calendar year?
Yes. Unused services on a valid referral can carry into the next calendar year, but any services delivered in that year count toward that new calendar year’s claiming limit.
Who may provide a Better Access referral?
For the GP pathway, the referral must generally come from the patient’s usual medical practitioner or a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the patient’s MyMedicare-registered practice. Eligible direct referrals from psychiatrists and paediatricians are also accepted.
Does Therapy Near Me report back to the referrer?
Yes. The treating psychologist must provide the referring practitioner with a written report at the completion of the initial course and at the completion of any subsequent course.
What happens after the referral is submitted?
Our intake team reviews the referral and contacts the patient or nominated representative to discuss practitioner suitability, appointment availability, delivery options, fees, rebates, consent and the proposed first appointment.
What should I do if the patient needs urgent help?
This referral form is not an emergency or crisis service. If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 000. For urgent mental-health concerns, contact the appropriate local crisis service, hospital emergency department or the patient’s existing treating team.
Relevant Resources
Fees and Medicare Rebates
Online Psychology Appointments
Your First Psychology Appointment
Ready to refer a patient?
Submit the secure GP psychology referral form or call the Therapy Near Me intake team to discuss the most appropriate referral pathway.
Security note: This page and referral form are not emergency services. If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 000.
