Mental Health

If you have access to Medicare

If your general practitioner (GP) refers you to a mental health specialist, this can be subsidised under Medicare. Your GP will first ask some questions about your health history, symptoms and situation.

Your GP will assess your condition and advise on the type of help you need. This can include:

  • making a mental health assessment
  • creating a mental health treatment plan
  • referring you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional
  • prescribing medication, if required.

Your GP can refer you to a psychologist for 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions under your mental health care plan in a year. After the sixth session, you will return to your GP, for a review of your progress and a new referral for the remaining sessions. Until 31 December 2022, people experiencing severe or enduring mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic can access an extra 10 sessions.

If your health practitioner bulk bills, Medicare will cover the cost of the appointment. If your health practitioner does not bulk bill, you will need to pay either the full cost, or the difference between what the health practitioner charges and what Medicare covers.

If you pay the full cost, you can claim the amount that Medicare covers.

Always speak to your GP up front if you think you will have an issue paying for treatment. Your GP will be able to tailor the health service to your needs.

If you don’t have access to Medicare

There are psychological, psychosocial services provided by organisations to support those who don’t have access to Medicare.

The Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (PASTT) provides psychological specialised support services to help people who have survived trauma or torture before moving to Australia. The program is for permanently resettled humanitarian entrants and those on temporary substantive visas who are living in the community.

There are eight agencies that provide PASTT services in each state and territory of Australia. These services include psychological assessments, individual psycho-therapeutic interventions, group and family therapy, youth activities, natural therapies and community development.

Find services and information.