Mental Health Treatment Plan (Mental Health Care Plan) Brisbane
If you've been struggling with your mental health and have wondered about the cost of seeing a psychologist, a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), previously known as a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), may allow you to access Medicare rebates for psychology sessions, significantly reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
REBATE QUICK REFERENCE
General Psychologist:
$101.55
Clinical Psychologist:
$149.05
Individual sessions per calendar year:
Up to 10
Initial referral:
6 sessions
After GP review:
+4 sessions
Group sessions per calendar year:
Up to 10
More information below
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a structured plan developed by your GP that allows you to access subsidised psychology sessions through Medicare, under the Australian Government's Better Access initiative.
The plan documents your mental health concerns, your treatment goals, and a referral to a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional. It is the document that makes you eligible to claim a Medicare rebate on your psychology sessions with eligible providers.
Mental Health Care Plan vs Mental Health Treatment Plan -What's the Difference?
They are the same thing. The plan was historically known as a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), and this is still the term many Australians use when searching for information. The official current name used by Medicare and the Department of Health is Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). Throughout this page we use both terms interchangeably, as many people still use the original name.
Table of Contents
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
To be eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan you need to:
Hold a valid Medicare card
Have a clinically diagnosed mental health condition
Be likely to benefit from a structured approach to the management of your mental health needs
See their usual GP or specialist (psychiatrist, pediatrician) for referral under a MHTP
Conditions commonly supported by a Mental Health Treatment Plan include:
Generalised anxiety disorder
Depression
Co-occurring anxiety and depression
PTSD - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Attention deficit disorder / ADHD
OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Grief & Loss
Phobias
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic fatigue
Eating disorders
Sleep problems
You do not need to be in crisis, severely unwell, or previously diagnosed to be eligible. Moderate symptoms are sufficient. Your GP will make an assessment based on your presentation. If you are unsure whether you qualify, it is always worth having a conversation with your GP.
Children and adolescents are also eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and a parent or guardian can discuss their child's eligibility with the GP.
How to access a Mental Health Treatment Plan
Accessing a Mental Health Treatment Plan involves four straightforward steps:
Step 1
Book a longer GP appointment
When booking with your GP, ask specifically for a "Mental Health Treatment Plan appointment" or a "longer appointment for my mental health." A standard 15-minute GP appointment may not be long enough. Most GPs need 30–40 minutes to complete the assessment and paperwork properly.
Step 2
Complete the assessment with your GP
Your GP will ask you about your mental health symptoms, and how they are affecting your daily life. They may ask you to complete a brief questionnaire such as the K10 or DASS-21 (standardised measures of distress).
Be as open and honest as you can. Your GP needs a clear picture of your experience to determine the right support for you.
Step 3
Receive your plan and referral
If your GP determines you are eligible, they will prepare your Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral letter addressed to a psychologist.
You will usually receive these documents on the day of your appointment or shortly after. Sometimes the plan will be faxed directly to the psychologist’s clinic.
Step 4
Book with a psychologist
Bring your Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral letter to your first psychology appointment.
At Hardwick Psychological Services, you can email or upload these documents before your first session. Medicare rebates apply from your first appointment once your plan is in place.
Note: You do not need to have a Mental Health Treatment Plan before booking with us. Many clients book with us before visiting their GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Your GP might ask if you have a preferred psychologist when completing their assessment. Simply bring the MHTP to your first appointment to ensure you are able to access the rebate.
What does a Mental Health Treatment Plan cover?
Under the Better Access initiative, a Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year.
You can also access up to 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year (group therapy does not include couples or family therapy).
The 10 sessions are structured as follows:
1
2
3
4
5
6
GP review
7
8
9
10
Initial referral - 6 Sessions
After GP review- 4 Sessions
Initial Referral: Your GP will initially refer you for up to 6 sessions
Checkpoint: After your 6th session, your psychologist will write a brief progress letter to your GP. You then return to your GP for a review appointment to discuss your progress. Your GP can then refer you for up to 4 additional sessions (bringing the total to 10 for the calendar year).
Calendar Year: The calendar year runs from 1 January to 31 December. If you haven’t used your sessions on your current referral in one calendar year, they will carry over to the next calendar year without needing to see your doctor again.
Your Plan: The MHTP will remain the same over time (unless the nature of your diagnosis changes). But you will receive new referrals from your GP after each episode of treatment. Your GP, pediatrician or psychiatrist can prepare your MHTP for you.
Medicare rebates at Hardwick Psychological Services
The Medicare rebate you receive depends on the registration level of the psychologist you see.
The rebate is the amount Medicare pays back to you, it is not the full session fee. There is typically a gap between the Medicare rebate and the psychologist's session fee, which is your out-of-pocket cost.
Please see our fees page for full information on our current session fees and the gap applicable for each psychologist type.
Psychologist type
Medicare rebate per session (2026 / 2027)
General Psychologist
$101.55
Clinical Psychologist
$149.05
Clinical Neuropsychologist (only)
$101.55
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
$101.55
Note:
- A MHTP cannot be used to access rebates for couples counselling.
- A MHTP cannot be used to access rebates for neuropsychological or cognitive testing. However, individuals under 25 with complex neurodevelopmental concerns may be eligible for Medicare rebates under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder scheme.
The review process after your 6th session
After your 6th session, your psychologist will write a brief letter to your GP summarising your progress and recommending whether additional sessions would be beneficial. You will then need to:
- Book a review appointment with your GP
- Discuss your progress and the psychologist's recommendations
- Receive a new referral for up to 4 further sessions if your GP approves
This review process is a routine part of the Better Access program, it is not an assessment of whether your problems are serious enough to continue. It is simply a check-in to ensure your care plan remains appropriate. Your GP will usually receive your psychologist's letter before the review appointment. You can discuss this process with them at the 6th session.
If you reach your 10 sessions and still need support, speak with your GP or psychologist about options for the following calendar year. There are also other potential programs and funding bodies that support mental health. Our fee’s page has some of the programs outlined. Our Admin team are happy to provide guidance.
MHTP for children and adolescents
Children and adolescents are eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan in the same way as adults. A parent or guardian can raise the topic with their child's GP, and the GP will assess whether a plan is appropriate.
For children under 16, a parent or guardian is usually present for the GP appointment. For adolescents, the GP will use clinical judgment about the appropriate level of parental involvement based on the young person's age and maturity.
We see children from age 8 and adolescents for psychological therapy.
Parent and Carers Sessions
Medicare will allow rebates for up to 2 parent/carer-only sessions as part of the 10 sessions per calendar year. This provides parents and carers with the opportunity to provide additional collateral information and discuss how best to support the child / adolescent’s needs without their child needing to be present. This is subject to the usual confidentiality requirements. The rules of the parent/carer-only sessions are as follows:
- The child / adolescent has been referred under a MHTP
- The treating psychologist or referring doctor determines that it is clinically appropriate,
- If they are old enough to provide informed consent, the child / adolescent consents to the service
- The service is part of the child / adolescent’s treatment, and
- The child / adolescent is not in attendance
FAQ about MHTPs
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan before booking?
No. In fact many of our client's book with us before visiting their GP for MHTP. Simple bring it before your first session to be eligible for the rebate.
Are there other Medicare funding programs that support mental health?
There are several Medicare programs in addition to the Mental Health Treatment plan including:
- Chronic Condition Management Plan
- Eating Disorders Treatment and Management Plan (EDP)
- Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling
- Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Scheme
More information can be found on our fee’s page
Are there other funding bodies that support mental health?
In addition to Medicare there are several potential funders including:
- Private Health,
- NDIS,
- WorkCover,
- NIISQ,
- Bupa Defence,
- DVA,
- Open Arms, &
- Victims Assist.
More information can be found on our fees page or by speaking with one of our administration team.
Does a Mental Health Treatment Plan expire?
No. Your Mental Health Treatment Plan does not expire and can be used at any time. A Mental Health Treatment Plan only needs to be revised if you are identified with a different mental health condition than the one listed on your original plan. You can use up to 10 sessions in a calendar year (January to December), and unused sessions on a referral can carry over to the next calendar year, as long as no more than 10 sessions are used in each year.
Can I use my Mental Health Treatment Plan for telehealth psychology sessions?
Yes. Medicare rebates apply to telehealth psychology sessions in the same way as in-person sessions. At Hardwick Psychological Services, telehealth appointments are available by both phone and video conferencing. Our reception team can help arrange this for you.
Can I change psychologists partway through my 10 sessions?
Yes. You can transfer your remaining sessions to a different psychologist. A new referral is not needed, but you will need to give your new psychologist the Mental Health Treatment Plan and most recent referral, and let them know how many sessions have already been used on the plan in the current calendar year.
Do I need a new Mental Health Treatment Plan every year?
No, you do not need a new MHTP unless the conditions being treated have change. You will need a new referral after the sessions on your current referral are used up – but the MHTP remains the same.
What if my GP doesn't think I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
GPs make their assessment based on your presentation. If you have any concerns, the first step would be to speak to your GP.
Can I use Private Health insurance as well as my Mental Health Treatment Plan?
No. You cannot claim both a Medicare rebate and a Private Health insurance rebate for the same session. You must choose one or the other per session. Many clients find the Medicare rebate is more generous than their Private Health insurance rebate and tend to use the MHTP first - but this may vary by fund and level of cover.
Can I use different types of Medicare finding in one year?
Yes, for example, if you have a MHTP and a Chronic Disease Management Plan you can use both in a calendar year. Equally, you can use an Eating Disorder Management Plan and a MHTP in the same calendar year.
Is a referral letter the same as a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
No. They are separate documents. Your GP needs to provide both: the Mental Health Treatment Plan (the structured plan outlining your mental health goals and treatment) and a referral letter addressed to the psychologist. Both are required to claim Medicare rebates. The MHTP does not get done, but another referral letter is provided after each set of sessions has been completed.
What conditions are covered by a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
The plan covers a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, grief, and adjustment difficulties. Your GP will determine eligibility based on their clinical assessment.
What should I do if I’m in crisis and need to see someone now?
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000), or attend your local hospital's Emergency Department. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.