Last updated: 2 March 2026
Content type: Educational resource (Australia)
If you’ve been told to “get a Mental Health Care Plan” (now commonly referred to as a Mental Health Treatment Plan) and you’re not sure what it actually covers, you’re not alone. This guide explains, in plain English, how Medicare-subsidised psychology works in Australia in 2026, what you can realistically expect to pay, and the key 2025–2026 rules that can trip people up.
Safety note: This article is general information, not medical advice. If you’re in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call 000. For urgent support you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 (Healthdirect, 2025) or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue, 2026). If you’re feeling suicidal, you can also contact Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 (Suicide Call Back Service, 2026).
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a plan your GP (or another eligible doctor) prepares after a mental health assessment. It records your goals and outlines recommended supports, including referrals to eligible mental health professionals such as psychologists (Services Australia, 2025).
People often use the older phrase “Mental Health Care Plan”, but the practical point is the same: it’s the gateway to Medicare rebates for certain mental health sessions under the Better Access initiative (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026).
How many Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions can you get per year?
Under Better Access, eligible patients can claim Medicare benefits for up to:
- 10 individual mental health treatment services per calendar year, and
- 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year (where appropriate/available). (Services Australia, 2025; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026)
Your doctor will usually refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time, then review progress before issuing further sessions (Services Australia, 2025; Australian Psychological Society, 2025).
The 2025–2026 change most people miss: MyMedicare / “usual medical practitioner”
From 1 November 2025, the government introduced changes linking Mental Health Treatment Plan preparation, referrals and review to either:
- a GP/PMP at your MyMedicare registered practice, or
- your usual medical practitioner (broadly defined, to preserve patient choice). (MBS Online, 2025)
In plain terms: if you bounce between random clinics, you may get caught in admin friction. The cleanest pathway is to:
- Pick your regular GP/clinic, and
- Keep your plan, reviews, and referrals running through that clinician/practice where possible. (MBS Online, 2025)
Step-by-step: how to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan
1) Book a longer GP appointment
Tell reception you want a mental health assessment and may need a treatment plan. Many clinics book a longer consult because the GP needs time to assess and document properly (Services Australia, 2025).
2) Do the assessment and agree on goals
Your GP may ask personal questions (mood, sleep, anxiety, functioning, stressors, risk). The plan includes goals, treatment options, and referral arrangements (Services Australia, 2025).
3) Get a referral
To claim rebates, you need a valid referral to an eligible practitioner (e.g., psychologist), typically for up to 6 sessions initially (Services Australia, 2025; Australian Psychological Society, 2025).
4) Book your psychology sessions and confirm fees
Psychologists set their own fees; Medicare covers a rebate amount, not necessarily the full fee (Services Australia, 2025).
Always ask:
- “What is the session fee?”
- “What’s the Medicare rebate?”
- “What will my gap be?”
5) Review after your initial sessions
If you need more sessions, your GP decides whether to refer you for additional sessions within the yearly cap (Services Australia, 2025).
What does Medicare actually pay?
Medicare rebates depend on the type of clinician and the relevant Medicare item numbers. The authoritative source is the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item descriptions (e.g., Better Access-related items) (MBS Online, 2025).
Because rebates and item numbers can change, the safest approach is:
- confirm your provider’s item numbers and rebate at booking, and
- cross-check via Services Australia / MBS Online resources if needed (Services Australia, 2025; MBS Online, 2025).
Bulk billing vs gap fees: what to expect
If your GP or psychologist bulk bills, Medicare covers the full schedule fee and you pay nothing for that appointment. If they don’t bulk bill, you pay either the full fee or the gap between the fee and what Medicare reimburses (Services Australia, 2025).
In practice, many people will have an out-of-pocket gap for psychology. That doesn’t mean you should avoid care—it means you should go in with eyes open and ask for transparent pricing upfront.
Telehealth: can your Mental Health Treatment Plan and sessions be done online?
Telehealth mental health services remain available, and permanent telehealth settings exist for Better Access in appropriate circumstances (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026).
However, the MyMedicare/usual medical practitioner requirements also apply to certain GP/PMP telehealth items from 1 Nov 2025 (MBS Online, 2025).
That means: if you’re doing your plan by telehealth, it’s even more important that your GP relationship satisfies the eligibility rules.
Who is eligible for Better Access?
Eligibility is determined by a clinician and generally requires:
- a clinically diagnosed mental disorder, and
- a Mental Health Treatment Plan (or psychiatrist assessment/management plan), plus
- a valid referral for the allied health sessions. (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026)
Common mistakes that delay Medicare rebates
Mistake 1: No valid referral (or the referral is outdated)
If the referral isn’t valid, rebates can be delayed or refused. Keep a copy and confirm the referral date and session count (Services Australia, 2025).
Mistake 2: Expecting all 10 sessions on one referral
Referrals are commonly written for up to 6 sessions, then reviewed (Services Australia, 2025; Australian Psychological Society, 2025).
Mistake 3: Assuming Medicare covers the whole fee
Medicare covers a rebate; fees can exceed the schedule amount (Services Australia, 2025).
Mistake 4: Changing GPs constantly
From late 2025, plan/referral continuity is more explicitly linked to your MyMedicare practice or usual medical practitioner (MBS Online, 2025).
FAQ
Can I use Medicare rebates and private health insurance for the same psychology session?
Often you can’t “double dip” for the same service, but rules vary by insurer/product and service type. If you have private health, ask the insurer what is claimable for your specific extras cover (Services Australia, 2025).
Do I need a diagnosis to get a plan?
Your GP assesses you and determines whether you meet eligibility criteria for Better Access, which includes being assessed with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026).
What if I’m rural or remote?
Medicare includes telehealth options and there are pathways intended to improve access, including for people who can’t easily attend face-to-face care (Services Australia, 2025).
Practical next step: make the first appointment easier
When you book your first psychology appointment, have these ready:
- Your referral (and date)
- Your Medicare card
- Any relevant history (medications, previous therapy, key symptoms)
- A simple goal like: “sleep better”, “reduce panic”, “function at work”, “stop avoiding social situations”
If you want support via telehealth, it’s worth stating that upfront so the clinic can match you to an appropriate practitioner and confirm the admin requirements.
Authorship, review, and editorial standards
Author: TherapyNearMe.com.au Editorial Team
Clinical review: Reviewed for clinical accuracy in line with our clinician oversight process.
Editorial standards: Read our TherapyNearMe.com.au Editorial Policy:
References
Australian Psychological Society 2025, Medicare FAQs for the public (Better Access initiative), APS, viewed 2 March 2026.
Beyond Blue 2026, Contact us / support service information, Beyond Blue, viewed 2 March 2026.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 2026, Better Access initiative, Australian Government, viewed 2 March 2026.
Healthdirect Australia 2025, Mental health helplines, Healthdirect, viewed 2 March 2026.
MBS Online 2025, MBS changes under the Better Access initiative from 1 November 2025 – factsheet, Australian Government, viewed 2 March 2026.
MBS Online 2025, Medicare Benefits Schedule item information (Better Access-related items), Australian Government, viewed 2 March 2026.
Services Australia 2025, Mental health care and Medicare, Australian Government, viewed 2 March 2026.
Suicide Call Back Service 2026, Contact us, Suicide Call Back Service, viewed 2 March 2026.
