Frequently Asked Questions

The Medicare rebate for sessions with a general psychologist or a clinical registrar is $98.95 per session.

Under the Medicare rebate scheme, eligible clients can receive up to 10 sessions per calendar year under a MHCP. Once these sessions have been used, no further Medicare-funded appointments are available, and any additional sessions must be funded privately. The number of sessions you are approved for is determined by your referring practitioner (e.g., GP).

You cannot claim both Medicare and private health insurance for the same session; only one rebate type can be used.

Not all services are covered under Medicare. Please discuss any questions about eligibility or coverage with your psychologist.

For all Medicare services, you are required to pay the full fee prior to your appointment and will then be refunded the rebate amount through Medicare.

The gap fee is what you pay out-of-pocket after the Medicare rebate.

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you, meaning it cannot be offered to another client. If you are unable to attend, please notify your practitioner as early as possible so the appointment can be reallocated.

Cancellations made with less than 48 business hours’ notice will incur the full session fee. For example, a Monday 10:00am appointment must be cancelled before 10:00am on the preceding Friday to avoid the fee.

A standard therapy session typically runs for 45–50 minutes, although session length may vary depending on clinical need.

Yes, you may request additional sessions. Most treatment plans are limited to 10 sessions due to government cuts to Medicare mental health rebates. As a result, many psychologists design treatment plans within this limit to reduce out-of-pocket costs for clients and patients. Your psychologist will discuss this in more details with you.

No. Psychologists and psychiatrists both work in mental health but differ in training and approach. Psychologists specialise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating emotional and psychological difficulties through evidence-based therapies. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can assess mental health conditions from a medical perspective, prescribe medication, and provide treatment for psychiatric disorders. In short, psychologists are trained scientists that specialises in behaviour and cognitive-affective processes, while psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors.

Counselling, psychology, and psychotherapy all support mental health but differ in training and scope. Counsellors provide guidance and strategies for managing life challenges and do not diagnose mental health conditions. Psychologists receive extensive training in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of both everyday concerns and clinically significant disorders. Psychotherapy refers to the use of structured therapeutic approaches to address emotional and psychological difficulties and can be provided by trained psychologists and other qualified mental health professionals. In short, psychologists are equipped to work across the full spectrum of mental health presentations, from general concerns to complex clinical issues.

In Australia, the training pathways for mental health professionals vary significantly in length, depth, and scope of practice. Only psychologists and psychiatrists are authorised to formally diagnose mental health conditions.

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who complete a medical degree followed by 5 to 6 years of specialist psychiatric training, totalling approximately 11 to 13 years. They are authorised to diagnose mental health disorders, provide psychological therapy, and prescribe medication, with a primary focus on psychopharmacotherapy and diagnosis. “Psychiatrist” is a protected title regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Clinical Psychologists
Clinical psychologists complete a minimum of 8 to 9 years of university study and supervised clinical training. This includes an undergraduate psychology degree, honours, and a specialised postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Clinical Psychology, followed by additional 2 years of supervised practice for the clinical area of endorsement. They are experts in psychological therapy, conduct clinical and cognitive assessment, and diagnosis mental health disorders. “Clinical Psychologist” is a protected title regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Psychologists
General psychologists complete a minimum of 6 years of accredited psychology training. This may involve 4 years of tertiary psychology study plus 2 years of supervised practice, or 5 years of study plus 1 year of supervised practice. The title “Psychologist” is protected and regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Counsellors and psychotherapists
Counsellors and psychotherapists typically complete 2 to 3 years of tertiary training, though some pathways offer a one-year diploma or shorter vocational courses. These titles are not legally protected in Australia. Their work focuses on providing emotional support, guidance, and talk-based strategies for managing life challenges. Many practitioners choose to hold membership with organisations such as PACFA or the ACA.

Social Workers
Social workers often work across areas such as community services, domestic violence support, housing, and case management. A qualifying degree usually requires 4 years of undergraduate study. Those who specialise in mental health typically complete additional supervised practice and may register with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as Accredited Mental Health Social Workers.

Psychologists in Australia cannot prescribe medication. Prescribing is restricted to medical practitioners such as GPs and psychiatrists, who complete full medical training. Clinical psychologists understand how medications affects the brain, interact with mental health, but their role is assessment and psychological treatment, not prescribing.

“Evidence-based” practice refers to the use of treatments supported by scientific research, informed by clinical expertise, and tailored to the client’s unique circumstances. Psychologists are trained in the scientific method, including research design, data analysis, and critical evaluation of evidence, which means they work with a clear understanding of what has been shown to be effective. Evidence-based practice is not a set of scripted techniques. It is a systematic, research-informed approach to understanding difficulties and choosing interventions that are most likely to create meaningful change.