Mental Health Care Plan Explained: How Your GP Can Help
A Mental Health Care Plan is a Medicare-funded plan created by a GP that provides access to a set number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions each calendar year. It starts with a conversation with your GP about how you've been feeling, and no prior diagnosis is needed. The plan is generally reviewed partway through to check on progress.
Asking for support with your mental health can feel like a big first step, but the process itself is usually more straightforward than people expect — and it starts with a conversation you can have with your regular GP.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan?
It's a structured plan your GP prepares with you, setting out your current concerns, goals, and the type of support that's likely to help. It also allows access to a Medicare rebate for a set number of psychology sessions per calendar year.
Who can get one?
Anyone experiencing a mental health concern, from stress and anxiety to low mood or something less easy to name, can raise it with their GP. You don't need a diagnosis in advance; that's part of what the assessment is for.
How many sessions does it cover?
A Mental Health Care Plan provides access to a limited number of Medicare-rebated sessions with a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional each calendar year. The current number of sessions can vary, so it's worth confirming the details with your GP at the time of your plan.
What happens in the first appointment?
Your GP will usually ask about how you've been feeling, for how long, and how it's affecting daily life — work, relationships, sleep, energy. From there, they'll talk through options, which might include a referral to a psychologist, other support services, or a combination of approaches.
Reviewing and renewing the plan
Plans are generally reviewed partway through your sessions, so your GP can check in on progress and adjust the plan if needed. A new referral or updated plan can be arranged if ongoing support is helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can see a psychologist privately without a referral, but a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is what unlocks the Medicare rebate for eligible sessions.
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There's no fixed expiry, but plans are usually reviewed partway through the year to check on progress and update the plan if needed.
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Yes, a Mental Health Care Plan is designed for a wide range of concerns, not only crisis situations, and raising it early is genuinely encouraged.
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