Fees & funding · 3 June 2026 · 6 min read · By Chad Henney, Co-Founder & Operations Lead

How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan (and What to Ask Your GP)

A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP is the key that unlocks Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions. Here is how to get one, what the appointment involves, and the questions worth asking your GP.

If you have been told to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan before seeing a psychologist, you may not be entirely sure what that means or how to go about it. It sounds more formal than it is. In practice, it is a conversation with your GP that opens the door to Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions, and most people find it more straightforward than they expected.

This post explains what a Mental Health Treatment Plan is, who can get one, the steps involved, and the questions worth asking your GP so you get the most out of the appointment.

What a Mental Health Treatment Plan Is

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) is a plan your GP prepares under Medicare's Better Access initiative. It documents what you are experiencing, sets out some goals, and refers you to a psychologist for a course of sessions. Having one in place is what allows you to claim a Medicare rebate on each session, which reduces your out-of-pocket cost.

Not sure where to start?If you would like to talk through whether therapy is right for you before seeing your GP, our team is happy to help. Speak with our team

Who Can Get One

Mental Health Treatment Plans are available to people experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or stress-related difficulties. Your GP makes that assessment during the appointment. You do not need to have everything figured out beforehand, and you do not need a formal diagnosis in hand. The GP's role is to work out, with you, whether a plan is appropriate.

How to Get One: Step by Step

Book a longer GP appointment

When you book, let the receptionist know you would like to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and ask for a longer appointment. These plans take more time than a standard consultation, and booking a longer slot means you are not rushed.

Have the conversation

In the appointment, your GP will ask about what you have been experiencing, how long it has been going on, and how it is affecting your daily life. They may ask you to complete a short questionnaire. This is a normal part of the process and helps shape the plan.

Receive your plan and referral

If a plan is appropriate, your GP prepares it and writes a referral to a psychologist. You can usually choose the psychologist or practice you would like to see, or ask your GP for a recommendation. Bring the plan and referral to your first session, or send them to the practice in advance.

Have your plan ready?You can start a referral to one of our psychologists at any time. We respond within one business day. Start a referral

What to Ask Your GP

A few questions can make the appointment more useful and help you understand what comes next.

Do you think a Mental Health Treatment Plan is right for my situation?
How many sessions does the plan cover, and when do I come back for a review?
Can you refer me to a specific psychologist, or can I choose my own?
What will my out-of-pocket cost be after the Medicare rebate?
Will I need a new plan next year, and when should I come back?

What It Covers

Under Better Access, a Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you access to a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. You pay the practice's fee at the time of the session and Medicare rebates part of it to your bank account, usually within a few days. The rebate is higher for sessions with a clinical psychologist than with a registered psychologist, and from 1 July 2026 these rebates increase, which means a lower out-of-pocket cost for clients.

Those sessions are usually released in two parts. A plan typically unlocks an initial six sessions, after which you return to your GP for a quick review. If you need more, your GP can then refer you for the final four, bringing you to the yearly total of 10. The cap resets at the start of each calendar year.

Does a Mental Health Treatment Plan Expire?

A common myth is that the plan expires after 12 months. It does not. You do not need a brand-new plan simply because a year has passed, and an existing plan can carry into the next calendar year if your GP agrees you still need support. In practice, though, it is generally recommended that a fresh plan is prepared around once a year. Your circumstances and mental health can change over twelve months, and a new plan is a good opportunity for your GP to reassess what would help most.

Want to see the numbers?Our fees and funding page lays out session fees, current and upcoming Medicare rebates, and your likely out-of-pocket cost. See fees & funding

What a Plan Does Not Cover

It is worth knowing that the Better Access scheme covers therapy sessions, not psychological assessments. Assessments for things like ADHD or autism are generally not rebatable under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, though separate Medicare pathways exist in some circumstances. If an assessment is what you are after, it is best to ask the practice directly what funding may apply.

Getting Started

For most people, the single most useful first step is simply booking that longer appointment with your GP and starting the conversation. Once your plan and referral are in place, you are ready to begin.

If you would like to talk through what therapy could look like for you, or have questions about using a Mental Health Treatment Plan with us, you are warmly welcome to get in touch.

Local GP Directory

You will need a GP to prepare your Mental Health Treatment Plan. If you are in the Eastern Suburbs and do not have a regular GP, here are some local practices to get you started. We are not affiliated with these practices - it is always worth calling ahead to check availability and to book a longer appointment for a mental health plan.

Ready to talk?Tell us what you are looking for and we will help you take the next step. Get in touch