Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a referral prepared by your GP to address specific mental health concerns. During your appointment, your GP will carefully assess your situation and determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for a MHCP. If eligible, the plan outlines treatment goals and enables access to Medicare-subsidised sessions with qualified mental health professionals for ongoing support.
What are the Benefits of Medicare Scheme?
Mental health is a vital component of overall wellbeing, yet many Australians face challenges accessing affordable care. The Medicare Scheme addresses this by providing subsidised mental health services, ensuring support is within reach for those who need it most.
Through initiatives like the Better Access program, eligible individuals can claim rebates for consultations with GPs, psychologists, and other allied health professionals. This includes up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year, helping reduce financial barriers to treatment.
By promoting early intervention and continuity of care, Medicare aims to improve mental health outcomes, reduce stigma, and encourage Australians to seek help before conditions worsen. These benefits extend beyond cost savings—they foster resilience, recovery, and better quality of life.
- Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- Excessive worry, fear, or anxiety
- Extreme mood swings or irritability
- Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
- Changes in sleep or appetite patterns
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Physical complaints without clear cause (e.g., headaches, fatigue)
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Why Australian Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) Matter For Your Team?
The Australian Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a vital framework that supports individuals in accessing professional mental health services. For teams, MHCP matters because it promotes a culture of wellbeing, reduces stigma, and ensures early intervention for mental health challenges. By integrating MHCP principles into workplace strategies, organisations can enhance productivity, foster resilience, and create a supportive environment where employees feel valued and understood. In today’s fast-paced work settings, prioritising mental health is not just a legal or ethical responsibility—it’s a strategic advantage that drives engagement, retention, and overall organisational success.
Early Access to Professional Support
Reduces Workplace Stigma
Implementing MHCP principles normalises conversations around mental health, breaking down barriers of stigma. When employees feel safe to seek help, it cultivates an inclusive culture where mental health is treated like physical health. This openness encourages collaboration, empathy, and stronger interpersonal relationships within the team.
Enhances Productivity and Engagement
Mental health challenges often impact focus and performance. MHCP-driven strategies help employees regain stability, boosting concentration and efficiency. A mentally healthy workforce is more engaged, creative, and motivated, leading to improved outcomes for projects and organisational goals. Investing in mental health care is investing in productivity.
Supports Legal and Ethical Compliance
Employers have a duty of care under Australian workplace laws to safeguard mental wellbeing. MHCP aligns with these obligations, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Beyond legal requirements, it reflects ethical leadership, reinforcing the organisation’s reputation as a responsible and caring employer.
What is covered under a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan is designed to support individuals diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, by providing structured access to treatment. Under the Better Access initiative, the plan allows eligible patients to claim Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year with approved mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. It also outlines treatment goals, referral arrangements, and follow-up reviews. While the plan reduces costs, patients may still face gap fees depending on provider charges.
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Adjustment disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Co-occurring anxiety and depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep problems
How It Works
Your initial referral will be for 6 sessions. After completing 6 sessions, your psychologist will ask you to complete two questionnaires:
- Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21)
- Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10+)
Along with these questionnaires, your psychologist will write a brief report, updating the GP about your progress. You will then be required to return to your GP for a MHCP progress review. If your GP agrees that you will benefit from further sessions, they can provide another referral letter for the final 4 sessions in the calendar year.
This totals ten rebated sessions per calendar year.
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Adjustment disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Co-occurring anxiety and depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep problems
What is the cost per session with a MHCP?
Appointment fees range from $220.00 – $240.00 per session. If you are seeing us under the MHCP Medicare Scheme, you can then claim between $98.95 to $145.25 per session back from Medicare for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
How do I claim my Medicare rebate?
Can I claim using my private health fund?
Yes! However, this depends on your individual health fund coverage. You will need to check with your health fund. We can provide you with a receipt that is suitable to claim via all the main health funds:
- BUPA
- NIB
- Medibank Private
- AHM
- Teachers Health
- Fund
- HCF
- Australian Unity Health
- Others
What are the therapy options that Transformations Clinical Psychology can offer me?
Please contact us or follow this link if you would like to set up an assessment with a psychologist at Transformations Clinical Psychologist.
Meet Our Team
Meet our friendly and experienced team, here to help you with confidence and care.
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Please contact us or click on this link if you would like to see one of our experienced psychologists
FAQ
Q1. What happens in the first session? Do I need to prepare?
Your first appointment is 50–60 minutes. We’ll get to know you—what’s been hard, what you’d like to change, and what’s helped before. You’re welcome to bring notes or just come as you are; we’ll go at your pace. Please complete the online intake and consent forms beforehand. Sessions are available in person (Sydney) or via secure telehealth across Australia. We’ll finish with a clear plan and time for your questions. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Q2. How do fees and Medicare/private insurance work? Do I need a GP referral?
You can book without a referral. If your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. We’ll check your eligibility and confirm your out-of-pocket cost before you commit. Private health (Extras) can’t be claimed with Medicare for the same session—please check your fund for coverage. If cost is a concern, let us know and we’ll talk through options.
Q3. Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your sessions and records are kept private under strict legal and ethical standards. There are a few exceptions—if there’s a serious risk of harm, concerns about a child or vulnerable person, or a court order. If we ever need to share information, we’ll explain why, what will be shared, and involve you as much as possible.