In order to gain a rebate from Medicare you will need to be referred by a General Practitioner, Psychiatrist, or, in the case of a child, a Paediatrician.

A General Practitioner is required to complete a mental health assessment and prepare a mental health treatment plan before referring to a psychologist. In order to discuss a treatment plan with your General Practitioner you will need to book a longer appointment time.

Individuals can see a psychologist without a General Practitioner’s referral. However, Medicare will not provide a rebate for these sessions. Some private health funds, however, provide a rebate for psychology sessions. It is best to check with your private health fund regarding this.

The Medicare initiative covers a number of conditions including: psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, phobic disorders, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, sexual disorders, conduct disorders, bereavement disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, sleep problems, attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and co-occurring anxiety and depression.

Eligible people can receive up to ten individual services in a calendar year. After six sessions you are required to be re-assessed by your General Practitioner to determine whether it is appropriate for you to have further sessions. Individuals may also be eligible to access up to ten group therapy sessions in a calendar year where this service is regarded as appropriate by your psychologist and your referring doctor.

The cost will vary depending on the length of the session and the fee being charged by the individual psychologist. For PsychologyWorks current rates please contact reception on 6234 3555.

Information you provide in a psychology session will be held in the strictest confidence and generally will not be available to others without your written permission. There are, however, legal limits to this confidentiality. This information is provided in the information pack for clients provided to clients before their first appointment.

It is important to bring your referral letter to the PsychologyWorks reception desk, preferably prior to your first appointment. You will also need to bring your completed authority for release of information form and the personal information form that are in the client information pack sent to you before your first appointment.

The standard consultation time is fifty minutes. However, thirty minute sessions can also be offered at the discretion of the individual psychologist.