Medicare rebates, explained.
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare pays a rebate on up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year — and the rebate goes straight back into your bank account. Here's how it works, and what it means for what you actually pay.
What Medicare gives back.
The rebate amount depends on your psychologist's registration type — both are excellent clinicians; the difference is a Medicare billing category. (Curious about the distinction? See what is a clinical psychologist?)
with a clinical psychologist
When you see a clinical psychologist with a valid referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare rebates $149.05 per 50-minute session, for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.
with a registered psychologist
When you see a registered psychologist, Medicare rebates $101.55 per session under the same plan and the same 10-session annual cap.
Your out-of-pocket cost is the difference between the session fee and your rebate — see our fees page for the full picture. We deliberately charge less than the APS recommended rate, because finances shouldn't be the thing that stops you getting help.
Getting your Medicare rebate.
See your GP
Book a longer appointment and ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Your GP assesses whether it's right for you and prepares the plan and referral.
Book with us
Bring your referral and plan to your first session — or send them through when you book, and we'll have everything ready.
The rebate comes back to you
We process your Medicare claim, and the rebate is paid directly into your bank account — usually within a day or two.
Review and continue
Medicare covers up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Partway through — typically after six sessions — your GP reviews your progress and refers the remaining sessions.
We handle the Medicare paperworkUsing private health instead.
If your extras cover includes psychology, you may be able to claim part of your session fee through your insurer — check your policy for the applicable rates. Note that you can't claim Medicare and private health for the same session, so most people use their Medicare-rebated sessions first. The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman has a useful factsheet on mental health cover.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to see a psychologist?
No — anyone can book directly and self-fund. The plan is only needed to claim the Medicare rebate.
How many sessions does Medicare cover?
Up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year, with a GP review partway through. The count resets each January.
Why are there two different rebate amounts?
Medicare pays a higher rebate for sessions with a clinical psychologist than with a registered psychologist — it's a billing category, not a measure of the care you'll receive. We'll tell you which applies to your psychologist when you book.
Does the rebate apply to telehealth?
Yes — eligible telehealth sessions attract the same Medicare rebate as in-person sessions.
Will I have a gap to pay?
Usually, yes — Medicare is designed to help with the cost rather than cover all of it. Your gap is the difference between the session fee and your rebate, and we'll confirm it before your first appointment. See our fees page for details.
Got your referral? You're ready.
Book at Carlton or St Kilda, or by telehealth — bring your plan and referral and we'll take care of the Medicare side.