Mental health support in Australia: where to begin

Not sure where to start?

Four quick questions, then a suggested first step for your situation.

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Question 1 of 4

What matters most to you right now?

Question 2 of 4

When it comes to cost, what fits you best right now?

Question 3 of 4

How would you prefer to start?

Question 4 of 4

Do you have a regular GP you can see?

Suggested starting point

Your result

Another good option

Go to this pathway

Suggested starting point

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Start with a GP

Go straight to a practitioner

Try a community or public service

Start with self-guided online tools

A GP visit unlocks Medicare rebates for therapy sessions, and gives you professional guidance on what suits you. You don't need a regular GP to start.

Booking directly with a psychologist or counsellor is usually the fastest way in. No referral, no paperwork; you pay the full fee yourself.

Community and public services cost little or nothing, and many take walk-ins with no referral.

Online programs and apps let you start today, privately and at your own pace. Many of the good ones are free.

Another good option

Start with a GP: Worth it if you'd like a doctor's guidance and Medicare rebates on sessions.

Go straight to a practitioner: The quickest route in, if paying the full fee yourself is manageable.

Try a community or public service: Free or close to it, often walk-in, no referral needed.

Start with self-guided online tools: Private and low-pressure, and you can start today.

Go to this pathway Start over

Or choose for yourself

All the ways

Every option leads somewhere good. Most people begin with a GP — but you don’t have to. Open any option to see costs, timing, and how it works step by step.

Most people start here

Start with a GP

A GP can listen, help you make sense of things, and refer you on. Medicare rebates apply.

You want professional guidance from the start, and a pathway to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions.

Cost: $50–$200 per session
Sessions: Up to 10 per year

Typical timeline

Best for: most people starting out.

How does this work? Hide steps

Book a long appointment with a GP

Ask for a longer appointment (at least 30 minutes) so there’s enough time to talk properly. It needs to be with your usual GP if you have one, or any MyMedicare-registered practice. If you don’t have a GP yet, a practice taking new patients is fine.
Your GP creates a Mental Health Care Plan

Your GP will ask about how you’ve been feeling, may use a short questionnaire, and write up a plan. This is what unlocks Medicare rebates for psychology sessions.
Your GP refers you to the right practitioner

An MHCP-based referral covers psychologists, social workers, or occupational therapists (up to 6 sessions initially). For a psychiatrist, your GP writes a separate specialist referral letter, which is its own Medicare item, not part of the MHCP. Mental health nurses sit outside the MHCP: in private practice they’re rebated via a GP chronic condition management plan, but most people see them free through public services or PHN-funded programs.
Find and book your practitioner

Search directories like Psychology Today Australia, the APS directory, or ask your GP for a recommendation. Psychiatrist wait times of 2–6 months are common, so ask about cancellation lists.
Attend sessions, then return to your GP for a review

For MHCP-funded sessions (psychologist, social worker, or OT), return to your GP after 6 sessions for a review. This unlocks 4 more, up to 10 per calendar year. Psychiatrist care isn’t capped the same way; follow-up is arranged with the psychiatrist directly.
MHCP-funded sessions reset each January

The 10-session cap resets every calendar year. Your plan itself doesn’t expire — you’ll just need a new referral from your GP for the new year’s sessions (and your GP may review the plan while you’re there). GP referrals to psychiatrists last 12 months by default and aren’t tied to this cycle.

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Go straight to a practitioner

Ready to see someone? Book a psychologist or counsellor directly.

You want to start quickly and are happy to pay out-of-pocket.

Cost: $80–$330+ per session (no rebate)
Sessions: No limit

Typical timeline

Best for: getting started quickly without a GP visit.

How does this work? Hide steps

Decide what kind of practitioner you want

Psychologist, counsellor, accredited mental health social worker, or psychiatrist. Each has different training and approach — see our practitioners page to compare. Psychiatrists work a little differently: you can book one privately without a referral, but a GP referral is what unlocks the Medicare rebate — so many people get one first. Others skip it on purpose, paying the full fee for privacy and to keep the visit off their Medicare record.
Search directories or practice websites

Look for someone in your area or who offers telehealth. Most practices list their fees, specialities, and availability online.
Contact them directly and book

Call, email, or book online. Many practices have online booking.
No paperwork, no referral, just show up

You don’t need a GP referral, Mental Health Care Plan, or any other documentation. Just turn up to your appointment. (Psychiatrists work the same way — no referral needed to be seen, only to claim the Medicare rebate.)

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Community & public services

Free and lower-cost help near you, through local and state-funded services.

You want to approach a community or publicly-funded service — such as headspace, a Medicare Mental Health Centre, a PHN-funded service, your workplace EAP, or a university clinic.

Cost: Free or very low cost
Sessions: Varies

Typical timeline

Wait time varies by service.

Best for: people who want to start with a community or publicly-funded service.

How does this work? Hide steps

Visit a Medicare Mental Health Centre

Free, walk-in, no referral needed. Call 1800 595 212 to find your nearest centre.
Contact your local Primary Health Network (PHN)

PHNs commission free mental health services in your area. Search for your PHN online to see what’s available locally.
Check headspace if you’re aged 12–25

Free or very low cost, no referral needed. Visit headspace.org.au to find your nearest centre.
Ask about university training clinics

University psychology clinics offer sessions at $10–$50 on a sliding scale (some free). You’ll see a trainee supervised by a registered psychologist.
Ask your employer about an EAP

Employee Assistance Programs typically offer 3–6 free, confidential sessions. Check with your HR team or workplace intranet.

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Try something self-guided

Free online programs you can start tonight, in your own time.

You’d rather begin on your own with an app or online program — before, or instead of, seeing someone in person.

Cost: Free, or paid (typically $10–$90/mo)
Sessions: Use at your own pace

Typical timeline

Best for: people who want to start on their own, right now, at low or no cost.

How does this work? Hide steps

Start with free, government-funded online programs

Australia has free, evidence-based online mental health programs (many run by universities and funded by the government). They cost nothing and don’t need a referral — a good first step if you want to try things yourself.
Consider a paid app if you want more structure

Paid therapy and CBT apps usually charge a subscription (often around $10–$90 per month). They can offer guided courses, mood tracking, or text-based support — useful if the free options don’t suit you.
No referral needed — start today

You don’t need a GP, a Mental Health Care Plan, or any paperwork. Sign up and begin straight away. If you later want face-to-face support, any of the other pathways are still open to you.

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