- Medicare
- /Mental health treatment plan
What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a GP referral that gives eligible Australians Medicare rebates of up to $145.25 per psychology session, for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Get yours online and start therapy with My Mirror, no wait times, Australia-wide
What does a Mental Health Care Plan cover?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), also known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), is a structured support plan developed with your GP that entitles you to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions under the Australian Government's Better Access initiative.
With a Mental Health Care Plan, you can access:
- Up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year.
- Medicare rebates of $98.95 (registered psychologist) or $145.25 (clinical psychologist) See our pricing page for what you'll pay out of pocket.
- Online sessions via telehealth with an AHPRA-registered psychologist, anywhere in Australia.
Some Australians may be eligible for bulk-billed psychology sessions. Eligibility is assessed at the time of application, and approved clients can access sessions with no out-of-pocket cost.
How can I get a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
Who is eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan?
Eligible Australians with a valid Medicare card may be able to access a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) if they are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or other mental health concerns. Eligibility is assessed by a GP, who will determine whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate for your circumstances.
To claim Medicare rebates, you'll generally need:
- A valid Medicare card
- A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP
- A referral letter for psychology services, issued by your GP alongside your Mental Health Care Plan.
Once approved, your Mental Health Care Plan can be used for both in-person and telehealth psychology appointments, including online sessions with an AHPRA-registered psychologist.
For details on Medicare rebates please visit our Medicare page.
How do I use a Mental Health Care Plan?
Your GP will initially refer you for 6 psychology sessions. After your sixth session, your psychologist writes a brief progress letter to your GP summarising your treatment and recommending whether additional sessions are needed.
To access your remaining sessions, book a review appointment with your GP. They will assess your progress, review your psychologist's letter, and determine whether to approve up to 4 additional sessions.
Once your GP has approved the additional sessions, your psychologist can continue your treatment and you can claim your Medicare rebate directly through MyGov.
How much does a Mental Health Care Plan cost?
There is no Medicare fee for a Mental Health Care Plan itself. The cost involved is your GP appointment. Some GPs bulk bill this appointment at no cost to you, while others may charge a gap fee. Through My Mirror, you can access a bulk-billed online GP appointment via our partner Hola Health at no out-of-pocket cost.
Once you have your plan, your out-of-pocket cost per session is the difference between your psychologist's fee and your Medicare rebate. As of 2025, Medicare rebates are:
- $98.95 per session with a registered psychologist.
- $145.25 per session with a clinical psychologist.
Some psychologists offer bulk billing, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket at all. See our session pricing for a full breakdown of what you'll pay with My Mirror.
Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan online?
Yes. You can get a Mental Health Care Plan online through a telehealth GP appointment. Through My Mirror, you can book a bulk-billed online GP appointment via our partner Hola Health at no out-of-pocket cost. Your GP will assess your eligibility and, if approved, issue your Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter digitally. You can then upload your documents to My Mirror and book your first psychology session immediately.
Do I get free therapy with a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan helps cover a part of the cost of psychology sessions through Medicare. Some psychologists offer bulk billing, which means you won’t have to pay anything, but not everyone qualifies for this. You can check if you’re eligible for bulk billing on our bulk billing page. Other psychologists may charge a gap fee, which is the amount you pay after the Medicare rebate.
Can I use my mental health care plan for online therapy?
Yes – My Mirror supports care plans for online mental health care. Our platform connects you with Australian-registered psychologists for virtual sessions covered by Medicare rebates.
How many subsidised sessions am I entitled to?
Currently, Australians are eligible for up to 10 sessions per calendar year under the Better Access initiative. You will need to see your GP again after your sixth session for a review before accessing the remaining four.
What’s the difference between a Mental Health Care Plan and a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
MHTP stands for Mental Health Treatment Plan. The same document as an MHCP, just a different name your GP may use.
They're essentially the same. A Mental Health Care Plan is the formal name used within Medicare guidelines and a Mental Health Treatment Plan is often what your GP will call it. This Mental Health Treatment or Care Plan is what allows you to claim your subsidised psychology sessions.
How do I claim Medicare rebates for my psychology sessions?
To submit your claim you'll need your MyGov login details, a valid Mental Health Care Plan, and your Paid Invoice which is emailed to you from My Mirror after each psychology session.
Will Medicare cover the full cost of my psychology sessions?
In most instances, you will have to pay the gap between what the psychologist charges, and how much Medicare rebates you.
Some psychologists or psychological services also offer bulk billing which means you will not be out of pocket for attending your appointment. Generally, there are criteria that have to be met to qualify for bulk billing. This can differ between psychologists and practices, so check out their website or give them a call to find out exactly what is required to consider you for bulk billing. Please note that bulk billing services can attract a longer waitlist, so ensure you find that out when you are making your enquiries.
Need Urgent Care or Crisis Support?
If you or someone you care about needs immediate mental health support, please contact:
- Lifeline: Visit the website or call 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: Visit the website or call 1300 22 4636
- Suicide Call Back Service: Visit the website or call 1300 659 467
These services are available 24/7 across Australia.
Psychologists available online
Ready to book a GP appointment Online?
You can do so from the comfort of home online via our partner Hola Health.
Benefits of My Mirror
- No wait times
- Up to 21h/day access
- Access from anywhere in Australia
- Affordable therapy sessions
What clients say about My Mirror
Further Information
For more information on the Better Access program and mental health, visit the Better Access webpage.
For more information about Medicare eligibility criteria, visit the Services Australia Medicare Mental Health Plan webpage.
