How to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan in Australia

A Mental Health Treatment Plan, also commonly called a mental health care plan, is the pathway many Australians use to claim Medicare rebates for eligible mental health treatment. A GP or prescribed medical practitioner assesses your needs, prepares the plan and gives you a separate written referral to an eligible practitioner.

The rules changed on 1 November 2025. The steps below reflect current Better Access guidance as at 2 September 2026.

Step 1: Book with your usual medical practice

Ask for an appointment to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan and tell the clinic you may need enough time for a mental health assessment. Since 1 November 2025, Medicare benefits under Better Access generally require the plan and referral to be prepared by a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at your MyMedicare registered practice, or by your usual medical practitioner.

Your usual medical practitioner is generally the practitioner, or practice, that provides most of your care. If you use a different practitioner for your mental health care, ask the clinic whether they meet the current usual-practitioner rules before the appointment.

Step 2: Talk through what has been happening

Your practitioner will assess your mental health, how it is affecting daily life and whether Better Access treatment is appropriate. They may ask you to complete a questionnaire and will work with you on treatment goals and options. Preparing the plan can take one appointment or more than one.

You do not need to arrive knowing which diagnosis or therapy you need. Bring any questions, current medications and the name of a preferred therapist if you already have one.

Step 3: Get the written referral

The plan and the referral are related but separate. The referral must be signed and dated and should state the number of services in the course of treatment. Your practitioner can refer you to an eligible psychologist, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker or occupational therapist. If you want online telehealth therapy, ask them to include your chosen practitioner.

How many Medicare-rebated sessions can you use?

The initial course can include a maximum of 6 individual services. If more treatment is clinically appropriate, your referring practitioner can issue a new referral for the remaining services, up to a combined maximum of 10 individual Better Access services in a calendar year. A separate annual limit of up to 10 group services may also apply.

The plan itself does not expire. An unused service on a valid referral can carry into the next calendar year, but the appointment counts towards the claiming limit for the year in which it occurs.

What does a Mental Health Treatment Plan cost?

The plan helps you claim a Medicare rebate. It does not automatically make every appointment free. Your GP appointment may or may not be bulk-billed, and a therapist may charge more than the Medicare rebate. Ask both providers about their fees, rebates and likely gap before you attend.

Can you use the plan for telehealth or change therapists?

• Eligible individual Better Access services can be delivered by telehealth when the practitioner considers it safe and clinically appropriate.
• A valid referral remains valid for its stated number of services if you change treating allied health professionals.
• You can ask your practitioner for another course referral when clinically appropriate, subject to the annual Medicare limit.
• A plan does not guarantee that a particular provider has availability or that every service will attract the same rebate.

If you are unsure whether your referral is current or how many services you have used, ask your referring practice or contact Services Australia.