Mental Health Care Plans in Melbourne
Mental Health Care Plans in Melbourne CBD and across inner Melbourne including Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, East Melbourne, North Melbourne, and the broader Melbourne metro area.
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is one of the most valuable yet underused entitlements in the Australian healthcare system. It gives you access to up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year through Medicare — but first, you need a GP to prepare one. At CBD Doctors Melbourne, the GPs offer dedicated Mental Health Care Plan appointments at our Queen Street clinic in the Melbourne CBD.
Same-day appointments are available. The doctors prefer if you have your first mental health consultation in person.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan is a written plan prepared by your GP under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. Once prepared, it gives you access to subsidised sessions with a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, or other eligible mental health professional — with the cost partially covered by Medicare.
The plan sets out your mental health needs, goals, and the type of support being recommended. It’s not a diagnosis in itself — rather, it’s a referral and treatment framework that opens the door to structured, professional mental health support.
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan?
You may be eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan if you are experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition or significant mental health symptoms that are affecting your daily life. This includes — but is not limited to:
- Anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD)
- Depression or low mood
- Trauma and PTSD
- Adjustment disorders (difficulty coping with a major life change)
- Stress-related symptoms affecting work, sleep, or relationships
- Eating disorders
- Grief and bereavement with significant functional impact
- Perinatal mental health concerns (during or after pregnancy)
You do not need to have a formal psychiatric diagnosis to receive a Mental Health Care Plan. Your GP will assess your symptoms and circumstances during your consultation.
To access Better Access psychology sessions under a Mental Health Care Plan, you must have a valid Medicare card. Temporary residents and some visa holders may also be eligible depending on their visa type — ask our reception team when booking.
How many psychology sessions does a Mental Health Care Plan cover?
Under the Better Access initiative, a Mental Health Care Plan gives you access to up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a Medicare-registered mental health professional.
The sessions are structured as follows:
- First referral: Up to 6 sessions
- Review with your GP after 3-6 months: Up to 4 additional sessions (total 10 for the year)
The review is a Medicare requirement — not a formality. After your first 6 sessions, your psychologist sends a progress report to your GP, and you return to your GP for a review consultation before accessing the remaining 4 sessions. This review can now be conducted as part of a standard time-tiered general attendance appointment (a change introduced from 1 November 2025), which means it can be combined with other health matters in the same consultation.
In addition to individual sessions, a Mental Health Care Plan can also cover up to 10 group therapy sessions per year, though individual sessions are more commonly used. Not all psychologists provide group sessions.
Medicare rebates — how much will I save?
As of 1 July 2026, the Medicare rebate per session under a Mental Health Care Plan is:
| Provider type | Medicare rebate per session |
| Clinical psychologist | $145.25 |
| General (registered) psychologist | $98.97 |
| Accredited social worker or occupational therapist | $87.24 |
Most psychologists charge between $240 and $300 per session in Melbourne. The gap fee — the amount you pay out of pocket after the Medicare rebate — will depend on your psychologist’s rate. For a session with a general psychologist charging $240, your gap would be approximately $141. For a clinical psychologist charging $300, your gap would be approximately $154
Some psychologists offer reduced gap fees or bulk billing for concession card holders, students, and Health Care Card holders. Your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP can recommend an option or referrer you somewhere where you might have in mind.
If you don’t have Medicare your private health insurance may cover part of the service. It is best to speak to your private health insurer regarding this. Once you have seen the doctor we will provide you with a receipt to submit your claim with your insurer for reimbursement.
How to get a Mental Health Care Plan at CBD Doctors Melbourne
Getting a Mental Health Care Plan involves a single dedicated GP appointment. Here’s what to expect:
Step 1 — Book a Mental Health Care Plan appointment
When booking, select your preferred doctor and time, and then ‘mental health consultation’ as the reason for seeing the doctor. This allows us to allocate a longer consultation time — typically 30 minutes. MHCP appointments are slightly longer than a standard GP visit because your GP needs time to properly assess your symptoms and prepare the plan.
Step 2 — Your GP consultation
At your appointment, your GP will:
- Have a supportive, confidential conversation about your mental health symptoms and how they’re affecting your life
- Review any relevant history, including previous mental health treatment, medications, and physical health conditions
- Prepare your Mental Health Care Plan, including your goals and the type of support recommended
- Provide a referral letter for a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional
- Discuss options for finding a suitable psychologist, including telehealth services
Step 3 — Start your psychology sessions
Once you have your MHCP and referral letter, you can book with any Medicare-registered psychologist. Your GP can recommend providers if you don’t have one in mind. In person and Telehealth psychology sessions are available under Medicare and are a popular option for busy CBD residence, workers and students.
Step 4 — Mental Health Review
After your first 6 sessions, return to your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP for a review. Your psychologist will send a brief progress report before this appointment. The review ensures your treatment is working and unlocks your remaining 4 sessions for the year.
Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan on the same day?
Yes. CBD Doctors Melbourne offers same-day appointments, including for Mental Health Care Plans. If book online, we will do our best to allocate a suitable appointment time the same day.
A longer appointment time is needed for a first MHCP — we recommend booking ahead rather than booking a standard 30-minute slot so that your GP has adequate time to prepare your plan properly.
Is a Mental Health Care Plan bulk billed in Melbourne?
CBD Doctors Melbourne is a private billing practice. Medicare covers the GP consultation for a Mental Health Care Plan under standard GP item numbers (with the November 2025 changes, the MHCP preparation and review are now billed under time-tiered general attendance items). A gap fee will apply depending on your circumstances and the length of your consultation.
We are committed to being transparent about costs before your appointment.
Mental health support options in Melbourne CBD
A Mental Health Care Plan is one pathway — but not the only one. Your CBD Doctors Melbourne GP can discuss the full range of mental health support available, including:
- Psychology under a MHCP — subsidised via Medicare as above
- Psychiatry referral — for more complex mental health conditions or medication management. Your GP can provide a Medicare referral (item 291) for a one-off psychiatric assessment
- Medication management — antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed and reviewed by your GP
- Combined GP and psychology care — many people benefit from both medication and therapy simultaneously; your GP can coordinate this
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) — if your employer offers an EAP, you may have access to free confidential sessions without needing a Medicare referral
- Medicare Mental Health Centres — free, walk-in mental health support is available at Medicare Mental Health Centres across Melbourne. No appointment or referral required
- Headspace — free and low-cost mental health support for people aged 12–25 across Melbourne
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a Mental Health Care Plan? A Mental Health Care Plan is prepared at a single GP appointment. At CBD Doctors Melbourne, same-day appointments are available. Once you have your plan and referral letter, you can book with a psychologist straight away — though psychologist waitlists can vary from days to several weeks depending on availability.
Can I choose my own psychologist? Yes. Your MHCP referral is not tied to a specific psychologist. You can see any Medicare-registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, accredited social worker, or occupational therapist who accepts Better Access referrals. Your GP can suggest options if you need help finding someone.
Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan for my child or teenager? Yes. Children and young people can receive a Mental Health Care Plan in the same way as adults. Parental consent is generally required for patients under 15 years old. The GPs are experienced in supporting children, adolescents, and their families.
Do I need a new Mental Health Care Plan each year? Yes. A Mental Health Care Plan covers up to 10 sessions within a calendar year. If you wish to continue with subsidised (it is valid for 2 years). You will need a referral each year from your GP to access psychology sessions – the following year, you will need to return to your GP for a new plan. Your GP will reassess your needs and update your goals at that appointment.
What if I’ve already used my 10 sessions this year? Once you have used all 10 Better Access sessions for the calendar year, you will need to wait until the next calendar year to access further subsidised sessions. In the meantime, your GP can discuss other options — accessing sessions through your private health insurance for private psychology (no referral needed, no cap on sessions), your employer’s EAP, and community mental health services.
I already see a psychologist privately — can I get a Mental Health Care Plan to use for those sessions? Yes, provided your psychologist is registered with Medicare and accepts Better Access referrals. Ask your psychologist whether they can claim under a Better Access referral before booking your GP appointment.
Book a Mental Health Care Plan appointment in Melbourne CBD
CBD Doctors Melbourne is located at Level 10, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD — easily accessible from the entire CBD and inner suburbs. We offer same-day appointments and
Taking the first step can feel hard. Our GPs provide a confidential, non-judgmental space to talk about what’s going on — and to put the right support in place.
Why Choose CBD Doctors Melbourne?
- Convenient CBD location – Level 10/53 Queen Street, easy access via public transport
- Same-day appointments – Often available for urgent consultations
- Experienced GPs – FRACGP-qualified doctors with weight management expertise
- Comprehensive services – Medical assessment, prescriptions, referrals, ongoing support
- Online booking – Book 24/7 via HotDoc for maximum convenience
Contact CBD Doctors Melbourne
📍 Location: Level 10/53 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
🕐 Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
💻 Online Booking: Book 24/7 via HotDoc at here. Simply select your preferred doctor and mental health consultation as the reason for seeing the doctor. Please note 30 mins is recommended for your initial mental health consultation.