Your options and costs
On this page
On this page
Extra support is available until 30 June 2022 if you are experiencing severe or ongoing mental health challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you get a mental health treatment plan through your GP, you can get a Medicare rebate for 10 extra sessions.
When receiving mental health treatment, the best pathway may have costs. These can vary depending on the service and where you live. It i's a good idea to ask every provider you use about their fees and the service.
If costs are a barrier, your GP may be able to refer you to services that will take your financial position into account. Many services offer reduced fees or payment plans in some circumstances.
It’s important to remember that you always have options, regardless of your situation.
Service Costs
You can access many care and support services free of charge. This includes public hospitals, community mental health services and some community managed services (CMOs).
Appointments with a doctor may be partially or entirely covered by Medicare. If a doctor or provider ‘bulk bills’, then they charge Medicare directly and won’t charge you for the service or treatment. If they don’t bulk bill, you will need to pay the difference between what Medicare covers and the doctor’s fee. This is called the ‘gap fee’. Private providers will usually have a gap fee as well, including psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you decide to get treatment as a private patient in a private or public hospital, you will likely be charged. If you have private health insurance, it may cover some of this cost. It’s best talk to your private health insurer and health providers about costs before receiving treatment.
Free or low-cost services
You can access many care and support services for free. This includes treatment as a public patient in public hospitals and accessing mental health centres provided by your local Public Health Network or Head to Health.
Phone and online services are often a great way to get support for free or low cost. You can find hundreds of trusted Australian services on this website.
Appointments with a mental health professional may be partially or entirely covered by Medicare. If a doctor or provider ‘bulk bills’, then they charge Medicare directly and won’t charge you for the service or treatment.
When you might have to pay
The amount of a service fee not covered by Medicare or private health insurance is known as the ‘out-of-pocket cost’ or ‘gap fee’. Gap fees are normal in many situations.
Out-of-hospital services
The amount of a service fee not covered by Medicare or private health insurance is known as the ‘out-of-pocket cost’ or ‘gap fee’. Gap fees are normal in many situations.