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?

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Your result

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See your second-closest match

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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

This is how you get Medicare rebates on therapy
Advice on what kind of help fits, and often a recommendation for who to see
Any doctor can do this, it doesn't have to be your regular GP

Usually the fastest way in
No referral, no paperwork
You pay the full fee yourself

Costs little or nothing
Many take walk-ins
No referral needed

Start today, at your own pace
Private and low-pressure
Many of the good ones are free

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See your second-closest match

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.

Where would you like to start?

There’s more than one way to get mental health care. Some paths start with a GP, others you can book directly.

Each option opens to show how it works, what it costs, and the typical wait.

Most people start here

Start with a GP

A GP can listen, help you make sense of things, and write a — the document that gets you on psychology sessions.

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

Best for: most people starting out.

How does this work? Hide steps

Book a long appointment with a GP usually a few days

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 sets you up with 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 usually a few weeks · sometimes longer

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 adds 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

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 gets you 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 usually days to 2 weeks

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

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

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 usually same day

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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