Telehealth Psychology Medicare Rebates
Written by Natasha Kiemel-Incorvaia, Registered Psychologist | Last updated: December 2025
Medicare rebates help reduce your telehealth psychology session costs. For a standard online therapy session you pay $205 on the day, then receive your $98.95 rebate within ~ 2 business days.
Your effective out-of-pocket cost is $106.05 per standard session.
How Telehealth Psychology Rebates Work
Book and at time of appointment pay $205 for your standard session ($220 for your initial session).
We submit your rebate claim automatically through Halaxy.
Medicare deposits $98.95 into your nominated account within ~ 2 business days.
Your effective out-of-pocket cost is $106.05 (standard) or $121.05 (initial).
Check Your Telehealth Psychology Medicare Rebate Eligibility
✔ Do you have a valid GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
✔ Do you have remaining sessions on your plan? You get 10 total per calendar year, if you used had sessions with another psychologist check how many?
✔Is your referral current and valid?
Need help getting a telehealth psychology referral? → Contact our admin team on 0457 427 876 or at admin@graciouslyyoupsychology.com.au.
Need more detail on what makes a Mental Health Care Plan valid? Download our Telehealth Psychology MHCP Guide (PDF).
How to Claim Your Telehealth Psychology Medicare Rebate
1 - Get your GP referral.
Any GP can issue a Mental Health Care Pan
2 - Upload your referral
*Attach it when completing our online intake form or alternatively have your GP office fax it to us at +61288231877..
3 - Pay the full fee via Halaxy at the start of your appointment.
We submit your Medicare claim.
4 - Receive your rebate.
Medicare deposits $98.95 to your account within ~ 2 business days.
Understanding Your 10 Annual Telehealth Psychology Rebate Sessions
You receive 6 rebated telehealth psychology sessions on our initial GP Mental Health Care Plan referral.
After your 5th session, book a GP re-referral appointment to obtain a re-referral for the remaining 4 sessions.
This cycle then repeats in a 6 + 4 pattern until you feel ready to manage your symptoms independently.
*Note: You can claim up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. You need to keep track of how many you use.
Attend your first 5 appointments
with your psychologist.
Book an MHCP or extended appointment with your GP. Book this for a date between your 6th & 7th scheduled psychology appointment
Attend your re-referral appointment with your GP. This does not have to be the same one who referred you initially.
Before your 7th appointment send our admin team your re-referral letter. If you don’t get a copy ask your GP practice to send it to us.
Attend your next 4 psychologist appointments. If you finish your 10 sessions in the same calendar year, even if your GP give you a new re-referral for your next 6 sessions you won’t be able to use them until the next calendar year.
Think of the process as a 6+4+6+4+6+4 until you feel confident managing your symptoms independently. You just need to make sure you do not access your rebate for more than 10 sessions a calendar year.
What If I use All My Telehealth Rebate Sessions
Continue as a private paying client at $205 per session (no rebate) until the new calendar year.
Check if your private health insurer covers telehealth psychology sessions. You can upload the invoice directly to your health care providers app to receive your claim.
Pause therapy until the new calendar year resets your Medicare session count.
Explore community mental health support options (we can help give you options if any are available in your area).
Telehealth Psychology Medicare Rebate FAQs
Why do I pay the full fee upfront for telehealth psychology sessions?
Australian psychologists operate on a pay-upfront model, which is standard Medicare practice for allied health services. After your telehealth psychology session, we submit your Medicare claim on your behalf using your Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Medicare then deposits your rebate (currently $98.95 per session) directly into your nominated bank account within two business days. This ensures you receive the maximum rebate available under the Better Access initiative without needing to visit a Medicare office.
When will I receive my Medicare rebate for psychology?"
Medicare processes telehealth psychology rebates within two business days of our claim submission. The rebate ($98.95 per session under a GP Mental Health Care Plan) is deposited directly into your nominated bank account. Please check your nominated bank account details via myGov before your first appointment to ensure your rebate goes to the correct account. You'll receive confirmation via SMS or the myGov app once the payment is processed. If your rebate hasn't appeared after three business days, you can check your claim status through myGov or contact Medicare on 132 011.
Do I need a new Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) each year
No. Your GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) rolls over automatically at the start of each calendar year (1 January), giving you access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions per year. You don't need a new referral unless your treatment focus changes or your GP recommends a review. After your first five sessions, you'll need a GP review appointment to access the remaining five rebated sessions in that calendar year.
Can I use my MHCP with another psychologist?
Yes. Your Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is valid with any registered psychologist in Australia, including telehealth providers. If you decide to change psychologists, simply provide your new psychologist with your referral letter or have your GP send it directly. You can see multiple psychologists within the same calendar year using the same MHCP, and your remaining rebated sessions will transfer with you.
What if I don't have a regular GP for a Mental Health Care Plan?
As of November 2025, you now need to nominate a regular GP or usual practice to provide your Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHCP) for Medicare rebates. This change promotes continuity of care and ensures your GP can follow up with your treatment progress.
You can choose any GP, including at bulk-billing clinics or walk-in services, and nominate them as your regular provider. Once nominated, they can issue your referral. The nomination process is straightforward and can be done at your first visit.
You do not need to register for MyMedicare to access a psychology referral. Your GP can refer you even if you are not enrolled in MyMedicare. MyMedicare registration is completely voluntary but can help formalise your relationship with your practice. If you prefer paper forms, these are available at your chosen general practice and can be submitted by practice staff on your behalf.