If you have been struggling with low mood, worry or stress, a mental health treatment plan can connect you with ongoing care and help with the cost of it. Your GP prepares the plan with you, and it lets you claim Medicare rebates for sessions with eligible mental health professionals. The rules on who can refer you changed from 1 November 2025, so it is worth knowing how the process works now. This guide explains who is eligible, what happens at the appointment, how sessions are covered and how to get started at Harpley Doctors.
Key Takeaways
- You need a diagnosed mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, to be eligible.
- The plan sets out goals, treatment options and support services agreed with your doctor.
- Medicare rebates apply to up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions each calendar year.
- Referrals now come from your MyMedicare practice or your usual GP.
- In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 at any time, or 000 in an emergency.
What Is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
It is a written plan for people with a diagnosed mental health condition. According to Services Australia’s mental health care and Medicare page, it includes goals agreed by you and your doctor, treatment options, arrangements for referrals, support services available, and review and follow-up.
The plan is part of the Better Access initiative run by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Better Access gives Medicare benefits for mental health treatment from eligible GPs, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. At Harpley Doctors, treatment plans at our Werribee clinic start with a GP consultation, as part of our wider mental health care.
Who Is Eligible?
You can only get a plan if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, as healthdirect explains. The Department of Health says Better Access is for people with a diagnosed mental disorder and at least moderate care needs. Your GP decides whether you are eligible, which is why the first step is simply to talk to them. Our article on how your GP can be the first step in mental health support covers that first conversation.
Plans are not only for adults. Healthdirect notes that paediatricians and psychiatrists can also write plans, and a GP can help if your child is struggling. Harpley Doctors offers early intervention for children and adolescents.
The Referral Rules Since 1 November 2025
Under Better Access, a valid referral for allied mental health services must come from a GP at the practice where you are enrolled in MyMedicare, or from your usual medical practitioner. Direct referrals from psychiatrists and paediatricians are also accepted.
MyMedicare is free and voluntary registration with your regular practice. To be eligible, you need 2 face-to-face visits at the practice in 24 months, and you can register through your Medicare online account or at the practice. Having a regular GP who knows your history is one of the reasons a local GP clinic supports long-term health. If you are new to us, the new patient registration guide explains what to bring.
Telehealth is possible for preparing a plan when it is with your MyMedicare practice or usual GP and you have had at least one face-to-face appointment with them in the past 12 months, unless an exemption applies.
What Happens at Your Appointment
Healthdirect suggests asking for a longer appointment when you book, or saying that you are interested in a treatment plan, so there is enough time to talk. Standard consultations at Harpley Doctors are up to 15 minutes, so mention it when you book.
During the visit, your doctor will usually:
- assess your mental health, often with a questionnaire
- ask questions about how you have been feeling
- talk with you about your goals and fill in the plan
- refer you to a mental health professional
It can take a few visits to diagnose a condition and prepare the plan. Services Australia notes that your doctor may also prescribe medicine for depression or anxiety if required. Several of our doctors have an interest in mental health, including Dr Farzana Yasmin and Dr Khalida Batool. If you need help communicating, tell reception when you arrive, as a phone interpreter may be available.
Ready to talk to a GP about how you have been feeling? Book online through HealthEngine or call Harpley Doctors on (03) 8731 1330.
How Sessions and Costs Work
With a mental health treatment plan, you can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December. You can have more sessions, but Medicare will not cover them. Services Australia explains that your doctor will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time, then decide whether you need further sessions.
Mental health professionals set their own fees, so Medicare may only cover part of the cost. When you book with them, ask how much you will pay and how much Medicare covers. Healthdirect notes that group therapy does not include family and couple therapy.
All consultations at Harpley Doctors are bulk billed, and our patient information and fees page has our practice policies.
Reviews and Ongoing Care
Your plan includes review and follow-up, so you keep seeing your GP while you work with a mental health professional. If you use your sessions and still need support, go back to your doctor. A mental health plan is different from a chronic condition management plan, which is for conditions that have lasted, or are likely to last, 6 months or more. Our weekend and extended hours can make follow-up visits easier to fit around work and family.
If You Need Help Now
If your life or someone else’s is in danger, call 000. For crisis support at any time, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Our guide on when to see a GP instead of going to the emergency department can also help you decide where to go.
Getting a mental health treatment plan starts with one conversation with a GP who listens. Book a time, ask for a longer appointment, and bring any questions you have about sessions or costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a diagnosis to get a plan?
Yes. A plan is for people diagnosed with a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. Your GP assesses you first, and it can take more than one visit.
How many sessions does Medicare cover?
Up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions each calendar year. Your doctor refers you for up to 6 sessions at a time and decides whether you need more.
Can any GP write my referral?
Since 1 November 2025, referrals under Better Access need to come from a GP at your MyMedicare registered practice or your usual medical practitioner. Psychiatrists and paediatricians can also refer directly.
Will what I tell my GP stay private?
Yes. Services Australia notes that doctors cannot share your information unless you agree. Harpley Doctors keeps patient records confidential in line with the Australian Privacy Principles.
You do not have to work through it alone. Book online through HealthEngine or call Harpley Doctors on (03) 8731 1330 to see a GP.