Understanding Mental Health Referrals in Australia

What is a mental health referral?

A mental health referral is a formal recommendation from your GP or another treating doctor that connects you with a mental health professional — most commonly a psychologist, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist. In Australia, the referral process is closely linked to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), which means the right referral can significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket.

There are two main referral pathways: a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), which gives you access to Medicare rebates for psychology sessions, and a standard specialist referral, which is used when your GP believes you need a higher level of care such as a psychiatrist assessment. Understanding which pathway applies to your situation is the first step to getting the right support.

The Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) explained

A Mental Health Treatment Plan — sometimes called a mental health care plan — is a document prepared by your GP after a dedicated consultation. It records your mental health concerns, your treatment goals, and a plan for how those goals will be addressed. Crucially, it is the document that unlocks Medicare rebates for psychology sessions under MBS item numbers 80000–80020.

Under the current Medicare schedule, an MHTP entitles you to up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate applied to each. The first referral covers 6 sessions; after your 6th session your GP reviews your progress and, if appropriate, refers you for a further 4 sessions. The rebate amount differs depending on whether you see a registered psychologist or a clinical psychologist.

To get an MHTP, book a longer appointment with your GP — typically 20–30 minutes — and let the receptionist know it is for a mental health care plan. Your GP will ask about your symptoms, how long you have been experiencing them, and how they are affecting your daily life. This is a confidential conversation; the plan is shared only with the health professionals involved in your care.

Who can refer you for psychology?

Your GP is the most common starting point for a psychology referral in Australia. However, a referral can also come from a psychiatrist, paediatrician, or other medical specialist. Nurse practitioners with the appropriate endorsement can also prepare an MHTP in some settings.

Self-referral — booking directly with a psychologist without a GP referral — is possible, but you will not receive a Medicare rebate without an MHTP. Some people choose this route for privacy reasons or when they want to start quickly. At Primed Health, we accept both referred and self-referred patients; our team can advise you on the most cost-effective pathway for your situation.

What happens at your first psychology appointment?

Your first session is primarily an assessment. Your psychologist will review your GP referral and MHTP, ask about your current concerns, your history, and what you are hoping to achieve through therapy. This is not a test — there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is for your psychologist to understand your situation well enough to recommend the most effective approach.

At the end of the first session, your psychologist will usually outline a proposed treatment approach — for example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety or depression, or another evidence-based modality suited to your needs. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss whether the approach feels right for you.

Bring your referral letter and MHTP to your first appointment, along with your Medicare card. If you are attending via telehealth, have these documents accessible digitally or be ready to confirm your referral details verbally.

Referrals for children and young people

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

In some cases, a paediatrician or child psychiatrist may initiate the referral, particularly where there are concerns about developmental conditions such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder alongside mental health needs.

Reviewing and renewing your MHTP

Your MHTP is reviewed by your GP after your 6th session. This review is a brief appointment — usually 10–15 minutes — where your GP checks in on your progress and decides whether to refer you for the remaining 4 sessions within the calendar year. Your psychologist may send a brief progress report to your GP ahead of this review.

At the start of each new calendar year (1 January), your Medicare-subsidised session count resets to zero. If you are continuing therapy into a new year, you will need a new MHTP from your GP before your first session of that year. It is worth booking this review appointment in December so there is no gap in your care.

Getting a referral to Primed Health

To see a psychologist at Primed Health, ask your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to Primed Health Psychology. Your GP can send the referral directly to us, or you can bring a printed copy to your first appointment. We accept referrals for in-person appointments at our Frenchs Forest clinic and for telehealth appointments across NSW.

If you are unsure whether Primed Health is the right fit for your needs, contact our admin team on 1300 40 40 10 or at [email protected]. We are happy to answer questions about our services, waiting times, and fees before you commit to booking.