How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) — also called a mental health care plan — is a document your GP prepares after assessing your mental health needs. It records your diagnosis or presenting concerns, your treatment goals, and the type of professional support recommended. Most importantly, it is the document that activates Medicare rebates for psychology sessions in Australia.

Without an MHTP, you can still see a psychologist, but you will pay the full fee with no Medicare contribution. With an MHTP, Medicare rebates a portion of each session fee — currently $96.65 per session with a registered psychologist, or $137.05 per session with a clinical psychologist (2024–25 rates). Over a course of treatment, this adds up to a significant saving.

Step 1 — Book the right appointment with your GP

When you call to book, tell the receptionist you need an appointment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This is important because the consultation requires more time than a standard GP visit — typically 20–30 minutes. Some practices use the phrase 'mental health care plan' or 'MHCP'; these all refer to the same thing.

If you do not have a regular GP, any GP can prepare an MHTP. Bulk-billing practices may bulk-bill the MHTP consultation itself, though this varies. It is worth asking when you book whether the consultation will be bulk-billed or whether a gap payment applies.

Step 2 — What to say at your GP appointment

You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to get an MHTP. Your GP will assess your symptoms and make their own clinical judgement. Be honest about what you have been experiencing — how long it has been going on, how it affects your daily life, work, relationships, and sleep. The more clearly you can describe your experience, the better your GP can tailor the plan.

Common presentations that lead to an MHTP include persistent low mood or depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, eating concerns, and trauma. You do not need to use clinical language — simply describing what you are going through is enough.

Your GP may use a brief questionnaire such as the K10 (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) or the PHQ-9 to help assess your symptoms. These are short, standardised tools — answer them as honestly as you can.

Step 3 — Nominate your preferred psychologist

Your GP will ask where you would like to be referred. You can nominate a specific psychologist or practice — such as Primed Health — or ask your GP to recommend someone. If you have a preference for telehealth, in-person, a particular gender, or a specific therapeutic approach, mention this at the appointment so your GP can factor it into the referral.

Your GP will write a referral letter addressed to the psychologist or practice. This letter, together with the MHTP, is what you bring (or your GP sends) to your first psychology appointment. Keep a copy for your records.

How many sessions does an MHTP cover?

An MHTP entitles you to up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate. The sessions are structured in two blocks: the first referral covers 6 sessions, after which your GP reviews your progress and, if appropriate, refers you for a further 4 sessions in the same calendar year.

The 10-session limit resets on 1 January each year. If you are continuing therapy into a new calendar year, you will need a new MHTP from your GP before your first session of that year. It is worth booking this review in December to avoid a gap in your care.

Group therapy sessions under an MHTP are counted separately — you can access up to 10 group sessions per calendar year in addition to your individual sessions, though group psychology is not available at all practices.

What if I need more than 10 sessions?

If you need ongoing support beyond 10 sessions in a calendar year, you can continue seeing your psychologist at the full fee (without a Medicare rebate) until your session count resets on 1 January. Some private health insurance policies include psychology cover that can offset costs — check your policy for details.

In some circumstances, a psychiatrist can refer you for additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions beyond the standard 10. This typically applies to more complex presentations. Your GP or psychologist can advise whether this pathway is appropriate for you.

Getting an MHTP for a child or teenager

Children and adolescents can access psychology through an MHTP in the same way as adults. The GP consultation process is the same, though the plan will be tailored to the young person's age and developmental stage. For children under 16, a parent or guardian is typically present for the GP consultation and the first psychology session.

If your child has been assessed by a paediatrician or child psychiatrist, that specialist can also initiate the referral to psychology. This is common where there are co-occurring concerns such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or complex anxiety.

Booking psychology at Primed Health with your MHTP

Once you have your MHTP and referral letter, contact Primed Health to book your first psychology appointment. You can reach our admin team on 1300 40 40 10 or at [email protected]. We offer in-person appointments at our Frenchs Forest clinic and telehealth appointments for patients across NSW.

Bring your referral letter, MHTP, and Medicare card to your first appointment. If you are attending via telehealth, have these documents accessible digitally or be ready to confirm your referral details verbally. Our team will process your Medicare claim after each session so you receive your rebate promptly.