How much does it cost to see a mental health professional?
Most mental health professionals set their own fees, so the cost varies. Check with your preferred mental health support service and ask if you can use:
- Medicare rebates
- private health insurance rebates
- NDIS budget.
Some practitioners may also offer ‘sliding scale’ fees, with lower fees for low-income clients.
Medicare rebates for mental health support services
Medicare rebates are available to people with a diagnosed mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.
You may still need to pay a ‘gap’ fee. This is the difference between the health professional’s fee and the Medicare rebate.
The first step is to get a mental health treatment plan from your GP.
Find out more about Medicare rebates with the Department of Health’s Better Access initiative.
Private health insurance rebates
Many private health insurers offer rebates for mental health services and medical treatment. Check with your health insurance provider to see if you’re covered.
NDIS
You may be able to use the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for mental health support. Find out more on the NDIS website.