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NewAccess - Find a free mental health coach

Coping with stress can be hard. Your emotions and mental state can have a big impact on your life, affecting your sleep, work and relationships.

NewAccess is a confidential guided 6-session mental health coaching program for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues.

Learn more about the NewAccess programs that we offer.
NewAccess for IndividualsNewAccess for Small Business Owners

Who can enquire?

NewAccess might be right for you if you:
  • are 12 years or older (or 16 years or older in some regions)

  • are feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues such as work, study, relationships, health, finances or loneliness.

  • live in the area where the Primary Health Network has chosen to fund the service

  • aren't currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.
If you’re in crisis, NewAccess may not be right for you. For other support options, talk to your GP or visit Get mental health support.

Am I eligible for NewAccess?

The Australian Government funds 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs). All Primary Health Networks offer mental health services, but only some offer NewAccess.

NewAccess is currently available in parts of:

  • New South Wales

  • Queensland.

Use our service finder to check if NewAccess is available in your area, how it's delivered and if there are any age limits.

Delivery options vary because different organisations fund and run the program in each area.

Find NewAccess Services

Queensland

New South Wales

Who is NewAccess for?

NewAccess mental health coaching could be right for you if you’re looking for affordable therapy to manage stress and worries. It is free of charge and requires no GP referral.

Working one-on-one with a mental health coach over 6 sessions, you’ll learn practical strategies to manage stressors such as:​
  • coping with stress and anxiety - including study and work stress or increasing motivation at work
  • life changes – moving house, changing jobs, becoming a parent or losing someone close
  • sleep or concentration issues 
  • natural disasters – recovering from fires and floods
  • financial worries.
NewAccess isn’t right for you if you’re in crisis or currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. To find other support options, talk to your GP or visit Get mental health support.

NewAccess for Small Business Owners

We’ve developed a tailored mental health coaching program for small business owners, available by phone or online from anywhere in Australia.

You’ll be matched with a specially trained mental health coach with a small business background.
Find a mental health coach

NewAccess workplaces

This program is available only for employees of participating APS agencies.

NewAccess workplaces is a free and highly confidential mental health coaching service, delivered via phone or videoconferencing. No GP referral is required.
Find a mental health coach

NewAccess program structure

You’ll meet with your coach for 6 sessions over 6 weeks. Your coach will then talk to you about booking follow up sessions to check in on your progress.

Initial assessment – up to 60 minutes

At your first session with your coach you’ll:

  • talk through your challenges – choosing one or two issues to focus on

  • develop a problem statement – defining exactly what the issues are

  • create a plan based on your needs – including practical actions to tackle the issues.

If you need more support than NewAccess can offer, your coach will help you find a more appropriate service.
Illustration of three steps; talk through challenges, develop problem statement, create a plan

Five weekly sessions – up to 30 minutes

Each week you’ll work with your NewAccess coach to review your progress and work through your planned actions.

Your coach will give you practical activities to complete between sessions.

At your final session, your coach will help you decide whether you need to seek more support. Around 30% of people who complete NewAccess may need more support. This could include talking to your GP or seeing a psychologist.

Illustration of NASBO program structure; Initial session, 5 weekly sessions, Follow up check-ins

Difference between mental health coaching and counselling

Just like counselling, your coach will support you to develop and work through your own tailored plan.

However, mental health coaching is different to counselling because:

  • you don’t need a GP referral or mental health treatment plan to access the program

  • it’s funded by the government so there’s no cost to you

  • it’s easy to access without long delays.  

Alternatives to NewAccess

We’re so glad you’re looking for support for your mental health, it can be difficult to take the first step. We’re here to help you. If NewAccess isn’t right for you, there are other options.

If NewAccess isn’t available for you in your area:

Alternatives to NewAccess

If you want NewAccess to be available in your area, please talk to your Primary Health Network. Your interest will assist our efforts to expand the program. 
We’re working to increase the number of areas that NewAccess is available. NewAccess is only available in regions where the Primary Health Network has chosen to fund the service.

Enquire about our other mental health coaching programs

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NewAccess for Small Business Owners

Illustration of a woman engaged in an online counselling session

NewAccess Workplaces


  • A government agency called the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in HealthCare wrote the Digital Mental Health Standards to help people identify high quality digital mental health services. They worked with people who use digital mental health, mental health experts and industry to make sure that accredited services pay attention to the things that keep services safe.

    An accredited service keeps your information private and they will ask for your feedback to make the service better. They also make sure their services are based on strong evidence.

    A service gets accredited by an approved agency that has been trained to check for safety and quality issues. They check evidence to show the service meets the Digital MentalHealth Standards so you can know that the service keeps people safe. The Commission has more information on the Digital Mental Health Standards and what accreditation means.

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