Psychological support shouldn’t be out of reach.
Taking the step to see a psychologist is significant. For many people, the cost of that support is one of the things that gives them pause — and understandably so. What isn’t always widely known is that Medicare offers a meaningful rebate on psychological services through a program called the Better Access Scheme, making quality psychological care considerably more accessible than many people realise.
If you’ve been thinking about seeing a psychologist but have felt uncertain about the cost, this article is for you.
What is the Better Access Scheme?
The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS initiative — known more simply as the Better Access Scheme — is a Medicare program designed to improve access to mental health care for Australians. It allows eligible people to claim a Medicare rebate on appointments with a registered psychologist, making professional psychological support significantly more affordable.
The scheme recognises something important: mental health is health. And just as Medicare supports access to medical care, the Better Access Scheme is designed to ensure that cost is not the barrier standing between someone and the psychological support they need.
How does it work?
The process is more straightforward than many people expect. It begins with a visit to your GP.
During that appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with your doctor about what you’ve been experiencing — whether that’s depression, anxiety, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, or any other mental health concern that’s been affecting your life. Your GP will then assess whether a Mental Health Care Plan is appropriate for your situation.
If it is, they’ll put together a plan that outlines your mental health needs and the support that’s recommended. Alongside this, they’ll provide a letter of referral to a psychologist. These two documents — your Mental Health Care Plan and your referral letter — are what open the door to Medicare rebates on your psychology sessions.
It’s worth booking a longer appointment with your GP for this conversation. A standard consultation may not leave enough time to develop a care plan properly, and giving your doctor the time to understand what you’re going through will lead to a more thoughtful and useful plan.
How many sessions can I access?
Under the current Better Access Scheme, eligible people can access up to ten rebated psychology sessions per calendar year.
Your GP will typically provide an initial referral for six sessions. Once those are complete, you can return to your GP for a review — at which point they may approve a further four sessions, bringing the total to ten for the year. This review is also a useful opportunity to reflect on how things are going and what support you might need going forward.
It’s important to note that the ten sessions reset each calendar year, so if you’ve used your allocation and feel you’d benefit from continuing, a new referral can be arranged at the start of the following year.
How much will Medicare rebate?
The Medicare rebate you receive depends on the type of psychologist you see.
If you see a Clinical Psychologist — someone who has completed six to seven years of university training, followed by two additional years of supervised practice in mental health settings and formal endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia — the current Medicare rebate is $145.25 per session.
If you see a Generalist Psychologist, the current rebate is $98.95 per session.
At BlueSky Psychology, all of our psychologists hold a Masters degree, and all are trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health concerns. The difference in rebate reflects a difference in the additional supervised experience Clinical Psychologists have completed — not a difference in the quality of care or the warmth with which you’ll be received.
Do I need a referral before my first appointment?
No — and this is worth knowing. You are welcome to make an appointment at BlueSky Psychology at any time, with or without a GP referral. Many of our clients choose to pay the full fee directly, or use their private health insurance rather than Medicare.
However, if you’d like to access Medicare rebates, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter from your GP before those rebates can apply. If you haven’t yet visited your GP before your first session with us, that’s perfectly fine — it simply means Medicare rebates won’t apply to sessions prior to obtaining your referral. You can arrange the GP appointment alongside booking with us, and the rebates will apply from the point your referral is in place.
How do I find out if my GP has submitted my Mental Health Care Plan?
Most GP practices submit Mental Health Care Plan details to Medicare at the time of your appointment, though in some clinics this process is still done manually and can take a few days. If you’re unsure whether your plan has been submitted and processed, you can check directly with your GP or call Medicare on 132 011.
You’re also always welcome to contact our team at BlueSky Psychology — we’re happy to help you work through the process and answer any questions before your first appointment.
Can BlueSky Psychology process my Medicare rebate for me?
Yes. We can process your Medicare rebate directly at the time of your appointment, returning the rebate amount straight into your nominated bank account. So rather than needing to visit a Medicare office or lodge paperwork yourself, the rebate is handled for you on the spot.
For example, if your session fee is $275 and you’re eligible for the Clinical Psychologist rebate of $145.25, that amount will be returned to your account at the time of payment — meaning the out-of-pocket cost for that session is $129.75.
What if I also have private health insurance?
Some private health funds offer additional rebates for psychological services on top of what Medicare provides. The specifics vary between funds and policies, so it’s worth checking directly with your health insurer about what your particular cover includes.
It’s important to know that you cannot claim both a Medicare rebate and a private health insurance rebate for the same session — it’s one or the other. For most people, the Medicare rebate through the Better Access Scheme is the more substantial benefit, but your insurer can help you understand which option works best for your situation.
What about Telehealth — can I claim rebates for online or phone sessions?
Yes. Medicare rebates through the Better Access Scheme apply to Telehealth sessions — both video and phone — in the same way they apply to face-to-face appointments. This means that if you’re accessing your psychology sessions online or by phone with BlueSky Psychology, your Medicare rebates still apply, provided you have a valid GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan in place.
This is particularly good news for people who live outside the Adelaide CBD, who find it difficult to attend in person, or who simply prefer the convenience and privacy of online support.
A note on the Mental Health Care Plan conversation with your GP
For many people, talking to their GP about their mental health is a significant step — and one that can feel daunting. It’s worth knowing that your GP is there to help, and that these conversations happen in that room every day.
You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out or a precise diagnosis in mind. You simply need to share honestly what you’ve been experiencing — how you’ve been feeling, how it’s been affecting your daily life, your sleep, your relationships, or your work. Your GP will take it from there.
If it helps, you might jot down a few notes before the appointment — the things that have been hardest to manage, how long you’ve been feeling this way, and what’s been most affected. This can make the conversation feel less overwhelming and ensure your GP has the information they need to put together a useful care plan.
You deserve support. And the Better Access Scheme exists precisely to help make that support more accessible.
Accessing the Better Access Scheme through BlueSky Psychology
At BlueSky Psychology, our experienced psychologists work with a wide range of mental health concerns — depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, panic, burnout, and more. We’re here to help you find the right psychologist for your needs, navigate the Medicare process with confidence, and feel supported from your very first contact with us.
Sessions are available in person at our Adelaide CBD practice, as well as online and by phone for those who prefer or require it.
To make an appointment or find out more about accessing the Better Access Scheme through BlueSky Psychology, please call us on 08 8212 3944, email info@blueskypsychology.com.au, or book online. You’ll find us at Level 10, 108 King William Street, Adelaide.
Frequently asked questions about the Better Access Scheme
Who is eligible for the Better Access Scheme? Most Australians who are experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition are eligible. Your GP will assess your situation and determine whether a Mental Health Care Plan is appropriate during your consultation.
How many sessions can I get under the Better Access Scheme? Up to ten rebated sessions per calendar year — typically six on the initial referral, with a further four available following a review by your GP.
Do I need to see the same GP each time? Not necessarily, though continuity with the same GP is helpful as they’ll have an understanding of your situation and progress. For your review appointment, it’s worth returning to the GP who wrote your original plan where possible.
Can I choose my own psychologist? Yes. Your GP will provide a referral, but the choice of psychologist is yours. You’re welcome to choose based on who you feel might be the right fit for your needs, your personality, and the particular concerns you’re bringing to therapy.
What happens after my ten sessions are used? You can continue to see a psychologist beyond your ten rebated sessions — you’ll simply pay the full fee, or check whether your private health insurance offers any additional cover. A new allocation of ten sessions becomes available at the start of the following calendar year.
Can I use the Better Access Scheme for Telehealth sessions? Yes. Medicare rebates apply to online video and phone counselling sessions in the same way as face-to-face appointments, provided you have a valid referral and Mental Health Care Plan.
How do I get started? Book a longer appointment with your GP, explain what you’ve been experiencing, and ask about a Mental Health Care Plan. Then contact BlueSky Psychology to arrange your first appointment. We’ll take care of the rest.
