FEES, MEDICARE REBATES & INSURANCE
COUNSELLING SERVICES
FEES
Most fees are listed under the section on Mental Health and Wellbeing and Massage and Acupuncture. However we recommend contacting your therapist directly to confirm fees prior to attending. Information below provides general information regarding fee structures for private uninsured and insured clients as well as Medicare rebates.
BULK BILLING
Unfortunately Medicare does not make provisions for private psychologists or social workers to bulk bill as such we are unable to offer bulk billing and out of pocket fees apply for every service.
PRIVATE FUNDED CLIENTS
The fee varies depending on the service required, and who you see (Clinical Psychologist, General Registered Psychologist, Social Worker, Masseuse, or Acupuncturist). Please review the Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Massage and Acupuncture pages to review fees. All contact details are also available on the home page and we encourage you to confirm fees prior to attending.
INSURANCE FUNDED CLIENTS
All services accessed via insurance agencies or funded by third parties (e.g., MAIB) are set at the rate recommended by psychology, counselling and social work societies.
The recommended rate for psychology is $330 (AAPI) and $290 for MH Social work (AASW).
The NDIS rate for counselling is reduced to $232.99 for psychology and $193.99 for MH Social Work.
NDIS rates are recommended by the NDIS Commission.
WHEN CAN A MEDICARE REBATE BE ACCESSED
HOW MUCH IS THE OUT OF POCKET AMOUNT
Your out of pocket is called a GAP fee. The GAP is the difference between how much you pay (the full fee) and the rebate. A rebate is a partial refund provided by Medicare. After paying the full fee for a 50 minute consultaqtion, Medicare will issue a rebate if a current MHTP is in place.
Rebate amounts are listed below:
PSYCHOLOGY & MH SOCIAL WORK REFERRAL PROCESS
If you are seeking support and do not have insurance, the first step is to visit your doctor. Your doctor will discuss your situation and determine your eligibility for a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral. If you opt to visit a psychologist or MH social worker directly without a referral and MHTP but you will NOT be eligible for Medicare rebates. We encourage you to see your doctor first.
WILL I BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE REBATES?
The following conditions meet eligibility criteria as defined by Medicare: 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, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, phobic disorders, and co-occurring anxiety and depression.
People experiencing other conditions or seeking other services (e.g., assessments, couples counselling) can also see a therapist, however they will not qualify for a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.
MEDICARE REBATES ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
Unfortunately Medicare does not sibsidise the following services, and fees associated with the following services are billed directly to the patient.
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING AND REBATES FOR SERVICES
PAYMENT PROCESS
PAYMENT POLICY
Payment is due on the day of service. All accounts must be paid prior to making future appointments. Each therapist offers different payment methods. Please confirm procedures with your therapist prior to attending.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The demand for appointments is high. As such we maintain a wait list for when cancellations occur. To enable us to offer your space to someone who is waiting for an appointment, please be considerate, and provide 48 hours notice of cancellation.
When we receive less than 48 hours notice of cancellation, or no notice of cancellation, a short-notice cancellation fee will be billed direct to you.
Cancellation fees are not covered by Medicare . For NDIS clients, cancellation fees are covered if listed in your service agreement. All future appointments are suspended until short-notice cancellation fees are paid.
Most fees are listed under the section on Mental Health and Wellbeing and Massage and Acupuncture. However we recommend contacting your therapist directly to confirm fees prior to attending. Information below provides general information regarding fee structures for private uninsured and insured clients as well as Medicare rebates.
BULK BILLING
Unfortunately Medicare does not make provisions for private psychologists or social workers to bulk bill as such we are unable to offer bulk billing and out of pocket fees apply for every service.
PRIVATE FUNDED CLIENTS
The fee varies depending on the service required, and who you see (Clinical Psychologist, General Registered Psychologist, Social Worker, Masseuse, or Acupuncturist). Please review the Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Massage and Acupuncture pages to review fees. All contact details are also available on the home page and we encourage you to confirm fees prior to attending.
INSURANCE FUNDED CLIENTS
All services accessed via insurance agencies or funded by third parties (e.g., MAIB) are set at the rate recommended by psychology, counselling and social work societies.
The recommended rate for psychology is $330 (AAPI) and $290 for MH Social work (AASW).
The NDIS rate for counselling is reduced to $232.99 for psychology and $193.99 for MH Social Work.
NDIS rates are recommended by the NDIS Commission.
WHEN CAN A MEDICARE REBATE BE ACCESSED
- Medicare rebates are not automatically available - you must have a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral in place prior to attending.
- With a MHTP and referral in place, Medicare rebates can be accessed when seeing a psychologist or mental health social worker, but not when seeing a counsellor or provisional psychologist.
- Medicare rebates are available for therapy services. Medicare rebates are NOT available for diagnosis or assessment services.
HOW MUCH IS THE OUT OF POCKET AMOUNT
Your out of pocket is called a GAP fee. The GAP is the difference between how much you pay (the full fee) and the rebate. A rebate is a partial refund provided by Medicare. After paying the full fee for a 50 minute consultaqtion, Medicare will issue a rebate if a current MHTP is in place.
Rebate amounts are listed below:
- Clinical Psyhcology rebate: $145.25
- Registered Psychology rebate: $98.95
- MH Social Worker rebate: $87.25
PSYCHOLOGY & MH SOCIAL WORK REFERRAL PROCESS
If you are seeking support and do not have insurance, the first step is to visit your doctor. Your doctor will discuss your situation and determine your eligibility for a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral. If you opt to visit a psychologist or MH social worker directly without a referral and MHTP but you will NOT be eligible for Medicare rebates. We encourage you to see your doctor first.
- Your Doctor will determine whether you are eligible for a MHTP. Eligible people can access rebates for up to 10 individual consultations in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
- After the first 6 consultations your therapsit will provide a report for your doctor and your doctor will assess your progress to determine whether further sessions are approved.
- When you have utilised 10 rebates in a calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates. Additional consultations incur full fees.
WILL I BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE REBATES?
The following conditions meet eligibility criteria as defined by Medicare: 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, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, phobic disorders, and co-occurring anxiety and depression.
People experiencing other conditions or seeking other services (e.g., assessments, couples counselling) can also see a therapist, however they will not qualify for a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.
MEDICARE REBATES ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
Unfortunately Medicare does not sibsidise the following services, and fees associated with the following services are billed directly to the patient.
- Reports
- Diagnosis and Assessments
- Stakeholder Consultations (e.g. teachers, lawyers, case workers)
- Consultations provided by a Counsellor or Provisional Psychologist
- Couple counselling
- Parent Consultations - rebates limited to 2/10 rebates on a childs referral.
- Letters and emails
- Travel
- Cancellation fees
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING AND REBATES FOR SERVICES
- PRIVATE HEALTH: Please contact your private health care fund directly to determine eligibility for rebates.
- INSURANCE & MAIB: Eligible patients may have access to cover.
- EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (EAP): May cover fee for up to 4 consultations.
- Eligible Victims of Crime may have cover for psychology, counselling and social work services.
- Eligible veterans will have cover by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
PAYMENT PROCESS
- The full fee applies at each consultation and a Medicare rebate is refunded after payment is recieved. Only clients who have a current MHTP plus a referral can access a rebate. If these are not completed, the client is responsible for the full fee and will not be able to access rebates.
- When you have both a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral, Medicare will provide rebates when seeing a nationally registered psychologist, or a nationlally accedited mental health social worker, but not when seeing a professional counsellor or provisional psychologist. As such the out of pocket rate to see a counsellor or provisional psychologist is higher.
- You must contact your therapist to confirm their fee and the out of pocket incurred as each therapist is an independent practitioner with different fee structures.
PAYMENT POLICY
Payment is due on the day of service. All accounts must be paid prior to making future appointments. Each therapist offers different payment methods. Please confirm procedures with your therapist prior to attending.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The demand for appointments is high. As such we maintain a wait list for when cancellations occur. To enable us to offer your space to someone who is waiting for an appointment, please be considerate, and provide 48 hours notice of cancellation.
When we receive less than 48 hours notice of cancellation, or no notice of cancellation, a short-notice cancellation fee will be billed direct to you.
Cancellation fees are not covered by Medicare . For NDIS clients, cancellation fees are covered if listed in your service agreement. All future appointments are suspended until short-notice cancellation fees are paid.
