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Mental health telehealth. Bulk billed GP support

Speak to an Australian-trained GP about your mental health from home. Assessments, medication, Mental Health Treatment Plan, and specialist referrals, bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

Can I see a GP about my mental health via telehealth?

Yes. Australian-trained GPs at NewDoc can assess anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties via video or phone, prescribe first-line medication, and create a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) that gives you up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions a year.

The consultation, eScripts, MHTP, and psychology or psychiatrist referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders. Schedule 8 medication and acute crisis care still require in-person assessment.

Mental health support through telehealth

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that around one in five Australians (21.4%) experience a mental health condition each year, with anxiety and depression accounting for the majority of presentations to GPs and psychologists. Getting help can be hard when it is needed most — long wait times, limited GP availability, and the effort of travelling to a clinic can all be barriers, especially when motivation is low. NewDoc offers bulk billed telehealth consultations with Australian-trained GPs who can assess your mental health, prescribe medication, create Mental Health Treatment Plans, and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist when that is the right step.

Your consultation is conducted by video or phone with an AHPRA-registered GP. The conversation is confidential, conducted from wherever you feel comfortable, and bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

What a mental health telehealth GP can help with

A telehealth mental health consultation with a NewDoc GP can cover:

  • Assessment: a structured conversation about how you are feeling, your history, and any contributing factors. Validated screening tools (PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety) are used where appropriate.
  • Medication: first-line prescribing (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) for depression and anxiety where clinically indicated, with the eScript sent to your phone.
  • Mental Health Treatment Plan: a GP-authored plan that unlocks up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year.
  • Psychologist or psychiatrist referrals: issued directly during the consult and emailed to you.
  • Medical certificates: for work, study, or carer's leave when your mental health is affecting your ability to attend.
  • Screening for contributing physical causes: thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, vitamin D, or medication side effects. A blood test referral can be issued during the same visit.
  • Follow-up consultations: to review medication response, adjust the plan, and monitor progress.

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation and everything issued during it are bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost.

Common conditions a telehealth GP can assess

  • Anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias)
  • Depression (major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postnatal depression, seasonal patterns)
  • Insomnia and sleep difficulties
  • Adult ADHD (initial assessment and psychiatrist referral; Schedule 8 medication management sits with psychiatry)
  • Work-related stress, burnout, and adjustment difficulties
  • Grief and bereavement support
  • Perinatal mental health concerns
  • Chronic-illness-related mood changes

If your presentation is complex or would benefit from specialist input, your GP will recommend referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Signs you may benefit from a mental health consultation

  • Persistent low mood, worry, or anxiety for more than two weeks
  • Sleep changes (trouble falling asleep, waking early, or sleeping too much)
  • Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
  • Changes in appetite, weight, or energy
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Using alcohol or other substances to cope
  • Feeling overwhelmed by work, study, or family responsibilities
  • Physical symptoms with no clear cause (persistent fatigue, headaches, gut changes)

You do not need a formal diagnosis to book. If something feels off and you would like to talk to a GP, that is reason enough.

What to expect in a mental health telehealth consultation

  1. Pre-consult questionnaire: a short set of questions about your reason for visit, symptoms, medical history, and current medications. This saves time during the call.
  2. The call: the GP asks about your experience, history, and anything relevant (sleep, alcohol use, medications, relationships, work). They may use validated screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7).
  3. Discussion of options: talking through possible next steps, which may include medication, psychological therapy via a Mental Health Treatment Plan, a psychiatrist referral, lifestyle support, or ongoing GP follow-up.
  4. Documentation: any eScript, referral, Mental Health Treatment Plan, or medical certificate is sent to your phone during or shortly after the call.
  5. Follow-up: your GP will usually book a review in 2 to 4 weeks if you start medication, or sooner if you are particularly unwell.

Standard mental health consultations take 15 to 20 minutes; a new Mental Health Treatment Plan is typically 20 to 40 minutes because of the structured assessment.

Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTPs)

Under the federal Better Access initiative administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, a GP can author a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) that gives you access to up to 10 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a registered psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist per calendar year. The plan sets out your goals and the proposed mental health care pathway.

A NewDoc GP can typically create an MHTP during a telehealth consultation after a structured assessment. You can choose any registered mental health professional in Australia; many work via telehealth themselves. For more detail on how MHTPs work and what to expect, see our dedicated Mental Health Treatment Plan page.

Availability of MHTPs via telehealth can depend on current Medicare rules and your individual situation. Your GP will confirm eligibility during the consultation and, where needed, outline alternative pathways.

How NewDoc patients use mental health telehealth

Mental Health Treatment Plans were the second most common reason Australians used NewDoc's telehealth GP service in April 2026, accounting for 6.1% of all pre-consults — second only to cold/flu/viral presentations (9.4%) and ahead of repeat prescriptions (4.5%). Anxiety presentations accounted for a further 2.5% (8th overall). Source: NewDoc Research, State of Online GP in Australia 2026 (April 2026 sample, classified into 88 subcategories).

For context, the AIHW Mental Health Services report shows GP-administered MHTPs as the largest single Better Access service category by volume — approximately 2.5 million Medicare-subsidised mental health services were delivered under MHTPs nationally in 2023-24. Telehealth has been a permanent option for MHTP creation since the COVID-19 telehealth measures were made permanent in January 2022, and remains the fastest-growing modality.

Is telehealth as effective as in-person for mental health?

For most common mental health concerns, telehealth can be as effective as in-person consultations for many people. Australian and international clinical guidance supports video-delivered psychiatric care as appropriate for assessment, follow-up, and ongoing management across most presentations, with in-person care preferred where physical examination is required. The Black Dog Institute and Beyond Blue have both published guidance supporting telehealth as an equivalent first-line modality for the assessment of common conditions like anxiety and depression. Because mental health assessment is built on conversation, video or phone consultations cover the same clinical ground as a face-to-face visit. For some people, telehealth is preferred: no travel, no waiting room, and the option of taking the call from a private space at home.

In-person care remains important for certain situations: Schedule 8 prescribing (stimulants for ADHD, some strong analgesics, certain benzodiazepines), complex presentations that need a physical examination, or acute crisis. Your GP will tell you if your situation fits one of these and, where needed, help arrange the in-person pathway.

Privacy and confidentiality

All NewDoc consultations are confidential. Your telehealth session is conducted in a secure environment, and your health information is protected under the Australian Privacy Principles. Many people find speaking to a GP from home feels more private than attending a clinic, which is one reason telehealth is popular for mental health.

Supporting your mental health between appointments

Professional treatment is the main driver of recovery, but what you do between appointments matters too. Strategies your GP may suggest include:

  • Keep a regular sleep and wake time; limit screens before bed
  • Move daily (walking, swimming, yoga, cycling) for mood and energy
  • Reduce alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drug use
  • Stay socially connected; a brief call counts
  • Use brief breathing or mindfulness practices when overwhelmed
  • Set small, achievable daily goals to build momentum
  • Track mood or symptoms in a simple journal to share with your GP or psychologist

These strategies complement rather than replace professional care. If you are struggling between appointments or symptoms are worsening, you can book another consultation with a NewDoc GP at any time.

Crisis and emergency support

NewDoc telehealth is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. The following free services are available 24/7 for urgent support:

  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
  • Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
  • 13YARN 13 92 76 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
  • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (5 to 25 year olds)
  • PANDA 1300 726 306 (perinatal mental health)

These services provide free, confidential support from trained counsellors. If you are not in crisis but would like to speak to a GP about how you are feeling, you can book a bulk billed telehealth appointment with NewDoc at a time that suits you.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 15 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can I talk to a GP about my mental health via telehealth?

Yes. Australian-trained NewDoc GPs can assess your mental health, prescribe first-line medication, create a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist via telehealth. Consultations are confidential and conducted by video or phone from wherever you feel comfortable.

Is mental health telehealth bulk billed?

Yes, for eligible Medicare cardholders. The consultation, any eScripts, referrals, and Mental Health Treatment Plan issued during the appointment are included at no out-of-pocket cost. NewDoc does not charge extra fees for mental health consultations.

Can I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan via telehealth?

In most cases, yes. Your GP will assess whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan is clinically appropriate during the consultation. The plan gives you access to up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year. Availability can depend on current Medicare rules; your GP will confirm eligibility.

Can a telehealth GP prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication?

Yes. A GP can prescribe first-line medication (typically SSRIs or SNRIs) for depression and anxiety where clinically appropriate. The eScript is sent to your phone. Schedule 8 substances (including stimulants and some benzodiazepines) and certain other restricted medications typically require an in-person prescriber relationship rather than telehealth.

How long does a mental health telehealth consultation take?

A standard mental health consultation usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. A new Mental Health Treatment Plan typically takes 20 to 40 minutes because of the structured assessment. Follow-up consultations are shorter. Your booking page shows the expected length.

Is telehealth as effective as in-person for mental health?

Evidence from video-delivered psychological therapy and GP consultations suggests telehealth can be as effective as in-person care for many people with common conditions such as anxiety and depression, with some finding it more accessible. In-person care is better suited to certain situations: Schedule 8 prescribing, complex presentations needing a physical examination, or acute crisis.

Can a GP refer me to a psychologist or psychiatrist via telehealth?

Yes. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist (for Medicare-rebated sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan) or a psychiatrist (for complex mental health, medication optimisation, or diagnostic clarification). Referrals are emailed to you as a PDF.

Do I need a mental health diagnosis to book a telehealth appointment?

No. You can book to discuss how you are feeling, symptoms you have noticed, sleep problems, workplace stress, or any other concern. Your GP can help clarify whether a formal diagnosis is relevant and what support may fit your situation.

Can I get mental health telehealth if I live in a rural or remote area?

Yes. Telehealth is especially useful for people in regional and remote Australia where access to mental health services can be limited. Video or phone consultations are available Australia-wide for anyone with an internet or phone connection and a Medicare card.

Is my mental health consultation private?

Yes. All NewDoc consultations are confidential. Your session is conducted in a secure environment and your health information is protected under the Australian Privacy Principles. Many people find speaking to a GP from home feels more private than visiting a clinic.

What should I do in a mental health crisis?

Telehealth is not appropriate for acute crisis care. If you are in immediate danger, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Free 24/7 phone support is available from Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) for 5 to 25 year olds, and PANDA (1300 726 306) for perinatal mental health.

How much does a Mental Health Treatment Plan cost in Australia?

The GP consultation that creates a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) costs nothing for eligible Medicare cardholders when bulk billed — and NewDoc bulk bills the consultation, the MHTP itself, and any psychology or psychiatrist referrals issued during the visit, with no out-of-pocket cost. After the plan is in place, individual psychology sessions attract a Medicare rebate of around $145.25 for a 50-minute session with a clinical psychologist (MBS item 80010, schedule fee $170.85) or around $98.95 for a 50-minute session with a registered psychologist or eligible allied mental health provider (MBS item 80110, schedule fee $116.40). MBS rates are indexed annually and the figures here are current as of 1 July 2025. The psychologist may charge above the schedule fee; that gap fee depends on the practitioner. Up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions are Medicare-subsidised per calendar year under the Better Access initiative.

Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan online?

Yes. "Mental Health Care Plan" is the colloquial name for the same document Services Australia calls a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). A NewDoc telehealth GP can create one during a bulk billed video or phone consultation, after a structured assessment using validated screening tools where appropriate (PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety). The plan is sent to you electronically and shared with your chosen psychologist with your consent.

How long does a Mental Health Treatment Plan last?

An MHTP gives you access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions per calendar year, plus up to 10 group sessions. The plan itself doesn't "expire" — your GP usually conducts a brief review after the first 6 sessions to assess progress and confirm the remaining sessions are still appropriate. The 10-session count resets at the start of each calendar year (1 January), so a plan written in November can give you up to 10 sessions in November-December plus another 10 in the new year if your GP confirms the plan still applies.

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