How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan (and Why You Need One)
Quick Summary: A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a document from your GP that unlocks Medicare rebates for psychology sessions. You can get one at a standard GP appointment. It covers up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. You don't need a diagnosis to get one — you just need to be experiencing psychological distress.
What is an MHTP?
An MHTP is a plan your GP writes up after discussing your mental health with you. It's the document that allows Medicare to partially cover the cost of your psychology sessions.
Without one, you're paying the full fee out of pocket. With one, Medicare rebates a portion of each session — currently $137.05 for a standard individual session with a registered psychologist.
Do I actually need one?
You need an MHTP if you want to access Medicare rebates for psychology.
You don't need one if you're:
Self-funding your sessions
Using a valid NDIS plan (plan-managed or self-managed)
Accessing psychology through some workplace EAP programs
If cost is a factor in whether you seek support, an MHTP is worth getting.
How do I get one?
Book a longer appointment with your GP and tell them you'd like to discuss your mental health and get a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
You don't need to have a diagnosis. You don't need to be in crisis. You just need to be experiencing something that's getting in the way of your life — anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties, or anything else affecting your wellbeing.
Your GP will:
Ask you some questions about how you've been feeling
Complete a brief mental health assessment
Write the plan and give you a referral to a psychologist
The whole thing usually happens in one appointment. Ask your GP's receptionist to book you a longer slot — a standard 10-minute appointment isn't enough time.
How many sessions does it cover?
An MHTP gives you access to up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. The first referral usually covers 6 sessions. After that, your GP can review and refer you for up to 4 more.
At the end of the calendar year (31 December), the count resets — so if you've used some sessions and December is approaching, it may be worth booking your next GP appointment to get a new referral in place.
Can I use my MHTP for telehealth?
Yes. Medicare rebates apply to telehealth psychology sessions in exactly the same way as in-person sessions, provided your psychologist is registered with AHPRA and Medicare-eligible.
This means you can see a psychologist anywhere in Australia — including rural and remote areas where local services may not be available — and still access your rebate.
What if my GP isn't sure what to do?
Most GPs are familiar with MHTPs, but if yours seems uncertain, you can:
Ask specifically for a "Mental Health Treatment Plan under Better Access"
Let them know you'd like a referral to a registered psychologist
Call the practice ahead and ask if they bulk bill or do longer mental health appointments
You're allowed to advocate for yourself in that room. If your GP isn't supportive, seeking a second opinion from another GP is completely reasonable.
References
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2023). Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative.https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative
Pirkis, J., Ftanou, M., Williamson, M., Machlin, A., Spittal, M. J., Bassilios, B., & Highet, N. (2011). Australia's Better Access initiative: An evaluation. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(9), 726–739. https://doi.org/10.3109/00048674.2011.594948
