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Psychologist referrals: how the Medicare pathway works

From 1 November 2025, the plan and referral that unlock Medicare-rebated psychology must come from your MyMedicare practice or usual GP, so NewDoc does not issue them. Here is the pathway, and what we can still help with.

How to access a psychologist through Medicare

In Australia, the most common pathway to seeing a psychologist with a Medicare rebate is through a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) with a psychologist referral. From 1 November 2025, Medicare requires the plan, its reviews, and that referral to be provided at the practice you are registered with under MyMedicare, or by your usual medical practitioner.

NewDoc is a telehealth-only service, so it cannot be your MyMedicare-registered practice, and the department has advised us in writing that telehealth services alone would not normally make a practice your usual medical practitioner. NewDoc therefore does not prepare plans or issue plan-based psychologist referrals. We say that up front so you do not book a consultation that cannot deliver the rebate pathway. The right place to start is the practice you normally attend; our Mental Health Treatment Plan guide walks through exactly what to ask for, including MyMedicare registration.

What a Mental Health Treatment Plan includes

A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a structured document a GP creates after assessing your mental health. It includes a summary of your current concerns, your treatment goals, and the type of support recommended. The plan also serves as the referral that allows you to access Medicare-rebated psychology sessions.

With a valid MHTP, Medicare provides rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. The GP who manages your plan initially authorises 6 sessions, then conducts a review to assess progress before authorising the remaining 4 if clinically appropriate.

When to see a psychologist

A psychologist can help with a wide range of mental health concerns. Common reasons for seeking psychology support include anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, work-related burnout, trauma, and sleep problems. Psychological therapy helps with many common mental health conditions, and can be combined with GP-managed medication where appropriate.

Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist focuses on talk-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based approaches. If your psychologist or GP believes you may benefit from psychiatric input, a psychiatrist referral can be arranged, and that is a standard GP referral a NewDoc doctor can issue. If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or you are in immediate danger, call 000 (triple zero) or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7) now rather than waiting for a plan or referral appointment.

Psychologist vs psychiatrist: which do I need?

For most common mental health concerns, a psychologist is the recommended first step, with the plan and referral coming from your usual practice. Medication, where appropriate, is usually managed by a GP alongside therapy.

A psychiatrist may be appropriate if your symptoms are severe or complex, if you have not responded to initial treatment, or if a GP suspects a condition that requires specialist medical assessment such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, or a psychotic illness. A NewDoc GP can assess you by telehealth and provide the psychiatrist referral where that is the right pathway.

Costs and Medicare rebates

For psychology sessions under a plan, Medicare provides a partial rebate for each session. Some psychologists bulk bill, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket. Others charge a fee above the Medicare rebate, and you pay the difference as a gap. Fees vary by practitioner and location, so it is worth asking about costs when booking. Billing for the plan consultation itself is set by the practice that prepares it.

Without a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you can still see a psychologist privately, but you pay the full session cost. Getting a plan through your usual practice is the most cost-effective way to access psychology services in Australia.

What a NewDoc GP can still help with

A NewDoc GP can see you the same day for a bulk billed telehealth consultation if you're Medicare eligible: assessing how you are travelling, discussing treatment options, medication questions and repeats where clinically appropriate, psychiatrist referrals, and practical guidance on getting a plan from your usual practice, including MyMedicare registration.

If you need help finding a psychologist once your plan is in place, the Australian Psychological Society's Find a Psychologist directory and your health fund's provider search are good starting points, and many psychologists offer their own telehealth sessions.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 30 August 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?

You do not need a referral to see a psychologist privately, but without one you will not receive a Medicare rebate. Medicare-subsidised sessions require a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) with a psychologist referral, and from 1 November 2025 that must come from your MyMedicare-registered practice or your usual GP.

Can NewDoc refer me to a psychologist?

Not for Medicare-rebated sessions. The plan and referral that unlock the rebate must be provided at your MyMedicare-registered practice or by your usual medical practitioner, and the department has advised NewDoc in writing that telehealth services alone would not normally meet that test, so NewDoc does not issue plan-based referrals. A NewDoc GP can refer you to a psychiatrist, which is a standard referral not tied to those rules, and can help you understand the plan pathway.

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), also known as a Mental Health Care Plan, is a document a GP creates after assessing your mental health. It outlines your concerns, treatment goals, and the recommended support, and it functions as the referral that gives you access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year with a psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker.

Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan via telehealth?

Only through your own practice. The plan must come from your MyMedicare-registered practice or usual GP; if that practice offers telehealth appointments, the plan consultation may be done by video through them. Ask the practice you normally attend.

How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?

Medicare provides rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. After the initial 6 sessions, the GP who manages your plan conducts a review and, if clinically appropriate, authorises the remaining 4. Group sessions may also be available under separate provisions.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A psychologist provides therapy and counselling, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and can both prescribe medication and provide therapy. For most people, a psychologist is the appropriate first step. A NewDoc GP can refer you to a psychiatrist where that is the right pathway.

Will I have any out-of-pocket costs for psychology sessions?

With a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare provides a rebate for each session. Some psychologists bulk bill, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost. Others charge a fee above the Medicare rebate, which you pay as a gap. Ask about fees when booking. Billing for the plan consultation itself is set by the practice that prepares it.

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