Cost is one of the most common reasons Australians put off getting mental health support. It came up again this week in an Australian mental health forum, where one person described being turned away by free services as too complex while also being priced out of private care. It's a frustrating spot to be in, and plenty of people share it. The good news is that there are more ways to bring the cost down than most people realise, and some of the rules changed recently.
Start with a Mental Health Treatment Plan
For most people, the biggest saving comes through Medicare's Better Access initiative. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral, you can claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions each calendar year (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2025). If you've heard it called a Mental Health Care Plan, that's the same thing under its older name.
A few things changed on 1 November 2025. Referrals now need to come from your usual GP or the practice where you're registered with MyMedicare (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2025). Sessions are also referred in courses, starting with an initial course of up to six, after which your GP can refer you for the rest of your yearly allocation (Services Australia, 2025).
Check how many sessions you have left this year
Better Access sessions run on the calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December. If you still have sessions available on your current referral, it can be worth booking them in before the end of December, especially if the holidays tend to be a stressful time for you. Your allocation starts again on 1 January, and your GP can tell you whether you need a new referral to keep going.
Ask about the gap before you book
The Medicare rebate covers part of the session fee rather than all of it, and the amount depends on whether you see a general psychologist or a clinical psychologist. Whatever is left over is your out-of-pocket gap. Most practices are happy to tell you this figure upfront, so it's a completely reasonable thing to ask when you call.
Other funding you might be eligible for
Medicare isn't the only way to pay for therapy, and some of these options are easy to overlook.
WorkCover Queensland: if work has contributed to a psychological injury, WorkCover can usually fund psychology sessions while your claim is being assessed, as long as you've lodged a claim and have a work capacity certificate from your doctor (WorkCover Queensland, n.d.).
NDIS: participants may be able to use their plan funding for psychological support, depending on what their plan includes.
CTP insurance: if you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland, treatment for a related psychological injury may be covered under your claim.
Private health insurance: some extras policies include psychology, although you generally can't claim private health and Medicare for the same session.
Employee Assistance Programs: many workplaces offer a handful of free, confidential counselling sessions, which can be a helpful starting point.
At Valentia Health, we work with Medicare referrals as well as NDIS, WorkCover QLD and CTP claims. Our admin team can help you work out which option applies to you before your first appointment, and our fees page sets out what each one costs, so there are no surprises.
Free support while you wait or for milder concerns
If money is very tight right now, there are free services worth knowing about. Medicare Mental Health Check In is a free government service for people aged 16 and over who are dealing with milder concerns like stress, worry or low mood, and you don't need a referral or a diagnosis to use it (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026). You can call 1800 595 212 on weekdays to find out whether it suits you.
There are also Medicare Mental Health Centres across Queensland, including in Brisbane, where you can walk in for free support without an appointment or referral (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, n.d.). These services aren't designed to replace ongoing therapy for more complex concerns, but they can be a real help in the meantime. If you need help urgently, our crisis support page lists services you can contact any time.
Making each session count
However you're paying, a little preparation helps you get more from every appointment. Jot down what you'd like to talk about beforehand, and give any suggestions from your psychologist a try between sessions. Once things start to settle, some people also find that spacing sessions further apart helps their rebated sessions stretch across the whole year.
Talk to us about your options
Asking about cost isn't awkward, and it shouldn't be the thing that stops you from reaching out. If you'd like to talk through fees, rebates or funding, give our team a call on (07) 3544 6748 or visit valentiahealth.com.au to book. We see clients in person in Taringa, close to Indooroopilly and Toowong, and by telehealth across Australia, and you can meet our psychology team before you decide.
References
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2025). Better Access initiative. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2026). Medicare Mental Health Check In launches self-guided service. https://www.health.gov.au/news/medicare-mental-health-check-in-launches-self-guided-service
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (n.d.). Medicare Mental Health Centres. https://www.health.gov.au/medicare-mental-health
Services Australia. (2025). Allied health referrals for mental health treatment services. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/allied-health-referrals-for-mental-health-care-plans
WorkCover Queensland. (n.d.). Mental injuries. https://www.workcoverqld.com.au/claims-and-payments/claims/injuries-we-cover/mental-injuries
This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional psychological advice. If you are in crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000.