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Mental Health Care Plan Eligibility Checker
Answer 5 questions to find out whether you are likely eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) — and what to do next.
Nothing you enter is stored or transmitted. Results are informational only — your GP makes the final determination.
What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan? A document your GP prepares that gives you access to Medicare rebates on up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year under the Better Access scheme. With one, your Medicare rebate is $98.95/session (registered psychologist) or $145.25/session (clinical psychologist), effective 1 July 2025.
1. Do you have a Medicare card?
2. Are you experiencing mental health difficulties that are affecting your daily life?
This includes anxiety, worry, low mood, stress, OCD, PTSD, panic attacks, social anxiety, or other psychological distress. No diagnosis required.
3. Do you have (or can you access) a GP?
4. Have you already used 10 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions this calendar year?
5. Are you looking to access telehealth (video) or in-person psychology?
How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan: Step by Step
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is prepared by your GP and takes one appointment. Here is what each step involves.
- Check your eligibility
Most Australians with a Medicare card who are experiencing mental health difficulties are eligible. No formal diagnosis is needed. Your GP assesses your needs at the appointment.
- Book a longer GP appointment
A standard 10-minute slot is not enough. When booking, ask for a 30-minute or "longer" appointment and mention you want to discuss mental health. If your GP uses online booking, look for "mental health" or "long consultation" options.
- Tell your GP what you are experiencing
Describe your symptoms in plain language. You do not need clinical terminology. Saying "I've been struggling with anxiety and it's affecting my sleep and work" is sufficient. Your GP will ask follow-up questions. Be honest — this is not an assessment you can fail.
- Receive your Mental Health Treatment Plan
Your GP prepares the MHTP document, which includes a brief mental health assessment and a referral for psychology. They initially refer you for up to 6 sessions. After those 6 sessions, a GP review allows you to access up to 4 more (10 total per year).
- Book with a psychologist
You can choose your own psychologist — you are not restricted to the GP's suggestion. Tell the psychologist you have an MHTP when booking. For telehealth, see our directory of telehealth psychologists in Sydney who accept MHTP referrals.
Common Questions
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Any Australian with a Medicare card whose GP agrees they would benefit from psychological support. No specific diagnosis is required. Anxiety, depression, stress, OCD, PTSD, and other mental health difficulties are all valid grounds. Children are also eligible.
Do I need a diagnosis to get an MHTP?
No. You do not need a formal diagnosis. Your GP conducts a brief mental health assessment and uses their clinical judgement. Describing what you are experiencing is enough — you do not need to have seen a specialist before.
Can I use telehealth for the GP appointment to get an MHTP?
Yes. A GP can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan via telehealth. From November 2025, rebates generally require the referral from your usual GP. If you have a regular GP, a telehealth appointment with them is straightforward.
Does having an MHTP lock me in to a specific psychologist?
No. Your MHTP is a referral to psychology services generally, not to a specific practitioner. You can use it with any AHPRA-registered psychologist who participates in the Better Access scheme. You can also change psychologists mid-plan.
What if I have already had therapy before?
Having had previous therapy does not affect your eligibility. If you have ongoing mental health needs, your GP can prepare a new MHTP. The 10-session cap resets each calendar year regardless of your history.
Does the Mental Health Treatment Plan cover telehealth psychology?
Yes. Medicare rebates under an MHTP apply equally to telehealth (video) and in-person psychology sessions. The rebate is identical: $98.95/session (registered psychologist) or $145.25/session (clinical psychologist), effective 1 July 2025.
Related resources
Ready to take the next step?
Once you have your MHTP (or while you are waiting for your GP appointment), browse AHPRA-registered telehealth psychologists in Sydney who specialise in anxiety.
Browse the directory