Australia's Mental Health Directory
How to Get a Mental Health
Care Plan in Australia
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP unlocks a Medicare rebate for up to 10 psychology sessions per year. Here is exactly how to get one in 2026.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (officially called a Mental Health Treatment Plan or MHTP) is a formal document your GP creates after assessing your mental health needs. It is not a treatment plan itself. It is a referral that unlocks a Medicare rebate for sessions with a registered psychologist, social worker or eligible occupational therapist.
Without it, you can still see a psychologist privately, but you pay the full fee with no Medicare contribution. The plan removes that barrier for most Australians.
10
rebated sessions per year
$145
per session (Clinical Psychologist rebate)
$0
out-of-pocket with bulk billing
How to get a Mental Health Care Plan
Four steps from deciding you need support to sitting in your first psychology session.
Book a long appointment with your GP
Tell the receptionist you need a "long appointment for a Mental Health Care Plan." A standard 10-minute slot is not enough time. The appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If your GP offers a dedicated MHCP appointment item, book that.
Prepare a few bullet points about what you have been experiencing, how long it has been going on, and how it is affecting daily life (sleep, work, relationships). This helps your GP work efficiently.
The GP assessment
Your GP will discuss your symptoms and may ask you to complete a short questionnaire (such as the K10 or DASS-21) to measure your distress. You do not need a specific diagnosis before the appointment. Describe your experiences honestly.
Use language like: "I have been struggling with my mental health and I would like to create a Mental Health Care Plan so I can see a psychologist."
Receive your referral
Once the plan is created, your GP issues a referral letter addressed to a specific practitioner. You can nominate a psychologist you have already found, or your GP can recommend one. The initial referral typically covers 6 sessions.
Search our directory before your appointment so you can give your GP a name. Your chosen practitioner does not need to be in the same clinic.
Book your sessions and claim the rebate
After 6 sessions, return to your GP for a brief Mental Health Plan Review to unlock the remaining 4 sessions for the year. The rebate is processed by your practitioner (bulk billing) or claimed by you through Medicare after the session.
Your Medicare allocation resets on 1 January each year. If you finish your 10 sessions mid-year, continue as a private client or through private health extras cover.
What to say to your GP
Many people feel nervous about “not knowing what to say” in the appointment. Use these phrases to open the conversation clearly.
When booking
"I need a long appointment to discuss getting a Mental Health Care Plan."
Opening the appointment
"I have been struggling with my mental health. I would like to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan so I can see a psychologist."
Describing your experience
"I have been feeling [anxious / low / overwhelmed] for [duration]. It is affecting my [sleep / work / relationships]."
Requesting a specific psychologist
"I have already found a psychologist I would like to see. Their name is [name]. Could you address the referral to them?"
2026 Medicare rebates
The rebate amount depends on the type of practitioner you see.
| Practitioner type | Medicare rebate (est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | $145.25/ session | Highest rebate tier. Additional postgraduate training. |
| General Psychologist | $98.95/ session | AHPRA-registered. Treats anxiety, depression, stress and more. |
| Accredited Mental Health Social Worker | $87.25/ session | AASW-accredited. Strong in trauma, community and family contexts. |
| Occupational Therapist (Mental Health) | $87.25/ session | Medicare-eligible OTs with mental health specialisation. |
Rebate amounts are approximate and subject to annual indexation. Confirm current rates at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
Find a psychologist before your GP appointment
Your GP can address the referral to a specific practitioner. Search now, find someone with availability, and bring their name to the appointment.
Search psychologists nowFree to browse. Filter by bulk billing, telehealth and location.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a Mental Health Care Plan the same as a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Yes. These two names refer to the same document. The official Medicare term is Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). Many GPs and patients use "Mental Health Care Plan" (MHCP) interchangeably. Your GP will understand either.
Can I see a counsellor with a Mental Health Care Plan?
Generally no. Medicare rebates under an MHCP are only available for services provided by AHPRA-registered psychologists, accredited mental health social workers, and eligible occupational therapists. Standard counsellors and psychotherapists are typically not covered.
Do I need a new Mental Health Care Plan every year?
You do not need a new plan, but you need a new referral from your GP at the start of each calendar year to access a fresh allocation of 10 sessions. Your GP will review your progress before issuing the renewal.
Can I use the plan for couples counselling?
No. The Mental Health Care Plan covers individual treatment of a mental health condition. Couples counselling is generally not covered by Medicare, though some private health funds may provide extras cover for it.
What if my GP bulk bills the MHCP appointment?
Many GPs bulk bill the Mental Health Care Plan appointment itself. Call your GP clinic to confirm before booking. The plan appointment is separate from the psychology sessions, which may or may not be bulk billed depending on the practitioner.
What is the 6+4 rule?
Your initial Mental Health Care Plan referral typically covers 6 sessions. After completing those 6 sessions, you return to your GP for a short review appointment. If your GP determines you would benefit from more support, they can extend the referral to cover the remaining 4 sessions (totalling 10 for the year).
Can I change psychologists mid-plan?
Yes. If you are not happy with your psychologist, you can ask your GP to issue a new referral to a different practitioner. Your session count continues from where you left off, not from zero.
What is MyMedicare and does it affect my plan?
MyMedicare is a voluntary registration that links you to a regular GP. If you are registered with MyMedicare, it is simplest to get your Mental Health Care Plan from your registered practice to streamline the Medicare claiming process. It does not affect the number of sessions or the rebate amounts.
This page provides general information only. Eligibility for Medicare rebates is determined by your GP. Medicare rebate amounts are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm current rates and eligibility with your GP or Services Australia. Mental Health Directory is a directory service, not a healthcare provider.
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