If the cost of counselling has made you hesitant to get help, we have good news for you.
In Australia, seeing a psychologist doesn’t have to be financially out of reach. Thanks to the Medicare Better Access initiative, eligible clients can claim rebates for mental health treatment, and that includes online sessions.
At Associated Counsellors and Psychologists, we help guide you through every step of the process, from getting the right referral to booking the right counsellor to processing your rebate smoothly.
The Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative allows people to access Medicare-subsidised therapy sessions with a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, or accredited mental health social worker.
Through this program, you can access:
IMPORTANT: We do not bulk bill. You will need to pay around $180 – $220 up front at your appointment and claim the rebate from Medicare afterwards.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Yes, you can. Online psychology sessions, whether over video or phone, are covered by Medicare under the same guidelines as in-person appointments. This means you can access professional mental health care from the comfort of your home, while still receiving a rebate.
The Medicare rebate supports treatment for a broad range of mental health concerns. If your emotional well-being is being impacted, there’s a good chance you’re eligible for support under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.
Common conditions covered include:
You don’t need a formal diagnosis. If your GP believes your mental health is being affected, they can create a Mental Health Treatment Plan that allows you to access rebated sessions.
Some concerns, such as anger management or relationship difficulties, may not be covered on their own. However, if these issues are linked to an underlying mental health condition (like depression, anxiety, or trauma), they can still fall within the scope of a Medicare-supported treatment plan.
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, our intake team can help guide you and suggest next steps.
Associated Counsellors and Psychologists is a private billing practice, so there will be an out-of-pocket cost after your Medicare rebate. Our fees vary depending on the practitioner and the service provided, but we strive to keep our rates competitive and transparent.
When you call us, we’ll walk you through:
We know cost matters, so we’re always happy to help you understand your options before you book.
If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be eligible to claim rebates for sessions with a psychologist, counsellor, or social worker at Associated Counsellors even if you don’t use Medicare.
You cannot claim both Medicare and private health rebates for the same session. You must choose one or the other per session. Here are some common approaches:
If you’re unsure whether Medicare or private health offers the best rebate in your situation, we’re happy to walk you through the options.
We do not offer bulk billing or no-gap fee sessions. This means you’ll need to pay the full session fee out of pocket at the time of your appointment. Afterwards, you can claim a Medicare rebate to recover part of the cost.
Why? Because we believe in long-term, personalised care, and that means working with highly trained, experienced professionals who are fairly compensated for their time and expertise. Your mental health deserves more than rushed appointments and short-term fixes.
That said, we’re here to help you get the most from your Mental Health Treatment Plan. When you contact us, we’ll explain the fees, how the rebate works, and the process for claiming it, so there are no surprises.
We know that starting counselling can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve made the process as supportive and straightforward as possible:
If you’re unsure about how to start, how to obtain your referral, or whether your sessions will qualify, we’ll guide you through the process.
Our intake team understands the system and can make it easy for you to access the help you need.
Contact us here or call us on 1300 855 726 to get started.
Absolutely. Here’s a revised version of the FAQ with Counselling Sydney–specific language, while retaining accuracy and current Medicare rules (as of July 2025):
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A Mental Health Treatment Plan is created by your GP (or psychiatrist/paediatrician) and outlines your mental health needs, treatment goals, and referral options. At Counselling Sydney, most of our clients begin therapy after discussing their concerns with their GP and obtaining a plan that allows access to Medicare rebates for our registered professionals.
Yes. If appropriate, up to 2 of your Medicare-subsidised sessions per year can include a support person (e.g., partner or parent), provided it’s part of your treatment plan. This can be especially helpful in relationship counselling or when working through family-related issues. Your therapist will help determine whether this is clinically suitable.
Absolutely. Your GP may refer you generally (e.g., to a “registered psychologist”), which means you can choose any of our practitioners who meet the Medicare criteria. If you’d like guidance selecting a therapist based on your goals, background, or availability, our admin team is happy to help.
There is no expiry on your referral or plan for Medicare purposes. However, the 10 subsidised sessions reset each calendar year. You will need to return to your GP for a review after your initial 6 sessions if you want to access the remaining 4. We’ll provide progress notes if needed to support this.
Yes. Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney provides telehealth therapy sessions that are eligible for Medicare rebates, where clinically appropriate.
This is a convenient option for clients who prefer to attend from home, travel frequently, or live in regional areas. All telehealth sessions are conducted securely using encrypted video platforms.
We do not offer bulk billing or no-gap sessions. All our therapists set their own fees based on their qualifications and experience.
However, we strongly believe this model allows us to offer long-term, high-quality care with experienced clinicians who take the time to understand your needs. We’re happy to discuss fees and rebates in detail during your initial enquiry.
Yes, all your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-rebated sessions at Counselling Sydney count toward your Medicare Safety Net. If you reach the threshold in a calendar year, your rebates may increase, reducing your gap payments for the rest of the year.
Yes. We do not offer bulk billing. You’ll pay the full session fee at the time of your appointment, and we’ll provide you with the documentation or support to claim your Medicare rebate online. The out-of-pocket amount depends on the rebate and the fee set by your practitioner.
A GP needs to determine your eligibility under the scheme. Simply book an extended consultation with your GP and ask for an Assessment under the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme. This usually takes between 30mins – 45mins.
If you fall within the relevant criteria, your GP will prepare a Mental Health Care Plan and provide you with a referral. You can request a referral to our practice. You will then be entitled to claim a rebate from Medicare. Find out more about Psychologist services covered by medicare.
Once you have a referral to our practice from your GP, up to 10 sessions with a psychologist may be claimed in a calendar year. You will need to return to your GP for a review and extended referral after the 6th session.
You do not need a referral from your GP to see one of our associated psychologists. Most clients book an appointment with a psychologist through our central booking number and visit their GP in the intervening period. Others pay the full costs associated with their first session, and subsequently see their GP to take advantage of the rebate scheme for future sessions. A Mental Health care plan must be in place before you can claim for a given session.
Your GP will advise Medicare of your entitlement to claim a rebate for psychological services after they prepare your Mental Health care plan. You will then be able to claim a portion of your costs back from Medicare on presentation of a receipt from your psychologist.
Please note that you will still need to pay the full costs of your session at the time of your consultation, after which you will be able to claim from Medicare in the usual way – either by post or in person at your local Medicare office.
Unfortunately, you cannot claim both for the same session. Most clients choose one funding path:
Be sure to check with your insurer about rebates for psychology services under your extras cover. Some insurers offer higher rebates for registered or clinical psychologists.
As of July 2025:
At Associated Counsellors, our practitioners are Medicare-registered, and we’ll ensure you’re receiving the appropriate rebate depending on your therapist’s credentials.