Accessing Trauma Counselling in Melbourne: Medicare Rebates, Costs & Safety Nets Explained

Deciding to seek therapy for trauma is a significant step towards healing. However, understanding how to access services and navigate the costs involved can sometimes feel like another hurdle. At Shaw Psychology, we want to make this process as clear as possible. This article explains common pathways for accessing psychological support in Melbourne, focusing on Medicare rebates, typical fee structures, and safety nets.

Light signals provide clarity. We hope this article helps you navigate the system and understand the different pathways to find accessible and effective support.

The Medicare Pathway: Treatment Plans

Australia's Better Access initiative allows eligible individuals to receive Medicare rebates for psychological treatment via specific plans prepared by a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician.

Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP): This is the most common pathway. After discussing your concerns with your doctor, they can prepare an MHTP if appropriate.

1. Sessions: Currently, Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). Referrals are often in blocks (e.g., an initial block of up to 6 sessions), requiring a review with your GP before accessing further rebated sessions within the 10-session limit.

2. Psychologist Rebate: Medicare provides a higher rebate for sessions with a clinical psychologist; however, this does not always mean better treatment or outcomes. As of early 2025, the clinical psychologist rebate is $141.85 per standard session, and the general psychologist rebate is $96.65 per standard appointment.

3. Important Note: Session limits and rebate amounts can change. Always check current details via Services Australia or the Department of Health, or discuss with your GP and our clinic.

Eating Disorder Treatment Plan (EDPT): For individuals experiencing trauma who also meet the diagnostic criteria for an eligible eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or OSFED), a specific EDPT pathway exists.

1. Sessions: If eligible, this plan provides access to a more substantial number of rebated sessions – currently up to 40 psychological therapy sessions and 20 dietetic sessions over a 12-month period.

2. Psychologist Rebate: Medicare provides rebates that are the same as the MHTP above.

3. Requirement: Requires assessment and plan preparation by a GP or relevant medical specialist confirming the eating disorder diagnosis and eligibility.

4. Important Note: Specific eligibility criteria apply, and plan details can change. Consult your GP and official Medicare resources for current information.

Understanding Fees and Rebates

Clinic Fees: Psychologists in private practice set their own session fees, reflecting their expertise and operational costs. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fee (around $311-$315 for 2024-2025) serves as a benchmark, but actual fees vary, and many, like those at Shaw Psychology, are set below this recommendation.

Rebate Process: You typically pay the full session fee upfront and then claim your Medicare rebate. We can often process this electronically for you.

The Gap Payment: This is your out-of-pocket expense – the difference between the psychologist's fee and the Medicare rebate you receive.

The Medicare Safety Net: Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs

Medicare has safety nets designed to help individuals and families who incur significant out-of-pocket costs for eligible out-of-hospital medical services within a calendar year.

• How it Works: Once your total gap payments (out-of-pocket expenses) for eligible services reach a certain threshold amount in a calendar year, Medicare will provide a higher rebate for subsequent eligible services for the rest of that year. Psychology sessions accessed via MHTP or EDPT do count towards reaching this threshold.

• Impact: This means that once you reach the relevant Safety Net threshold, your out-of-pocket cost per psychology session can significantly decrease for the remainder of the calendar year.

• Important Note: There are different thresholds (e.g., for concession card holders vs. general patients), and these thresholds are indexed annually. For the most current threshold amounts and details on how the Safety Net works, please refer directly to the Services Australia website or contact Medicare.

Other Potential Funding Sources

As discussed in our article on Navigating PTSD Treatment [link to PTSD article], other pathways may apply depending on the cause of the trauma:

• Financial Assistance Scheme (Victims of Crime)

• Traffic Accident Commission (TAC)

• National Redress Scheme

Shaw Psychology is experienced in working with clients supported by these schemes.

Private Health Insurance

Some 'extras' policies cover psychology. Check your policy for details, but note you usually cannot use private health and Medicare rebates for the same session.

Making an Informed Decision & Contacting Us

Understanding the potential costs and funding options helps you plan your therapy journey. We encourage you to:

• Obtain the appropriate Treatment Plan (MHTP or EDPT) from your GP if seeking Medicare rebates.

• Please inquire about fees and the rebate process when booking with our administration team.

• Check current Medicare details and Safety Net thresholds via official sources.

• Consider the value of investing in specialised trauma therapy.

We aim for fee transparency and are happy to assist you in understanding the process.

If you have questions about accessing trauma counselling, fees, rebates, or funding pathways at our clinic:

Contact us today on (03) 9969 2190, visit our website at www.shawpsychology.com, or book an initial consultation directly online here: https://bit.ly/bookshawpsychology