Changes to Medicare Rebates in 2026 for Psychology services in Australia
Summary
A Medicare rebate is a set amount you will receive back after an eligible appointment
To receive a rebate, you must have a care/ treatment plan from a GP and a referral
With a MHCP, you are eligible to receive a rebate on 10 appointments in a calendar year with a Psychologist
The rebate differs depending on the practitioner’s qualifications and the service they’re providing
A rebate will reduce the cost of an appointment, but does not cover the full cost of an appointment
What is a Medicare Rebate?
The Medicare Rebate is a set amount the Government reimburse you for accessing medical services. You will pay the full fee to the clinic, who will submit a claim to Medicare on your behalf. Generally within 24 hours, the claim is processed and the rebate amount is deposited into your nominated bank account. The out-of-pocket or gap fee charged covers not only staff income, but also practice costs – wages for admin staff and other costs for running a Psychology practice such as equipment, rent, electricity, computers, continuing professional development, accreditation and insurance.
How much is the Medicare Rebate for Psychology appointments in 2026/2027?
As of July 1st 2026, the Government increased the Medicare Rebate by 2.6%. It does depend on the Psychologist you see as to how much you receive back.
General Psychologist - $101.55 (standard in clinic appointment)
Clinical Psychologist - $149.05 (standard in clinic appointment)
We also offer Walk and Talk appointments, where clients and psychologists can meet outside the clinic. For some clients, the movement and non-clinical settings enables them to talk and process with more ease. Please enquire with our Admin team as to which Psychologists offer this service.
General Psychologist - $127.50 (walk and talk appointment)
Clinical Psychologist - $174.35 (walk and talk appointment)
Our Fees & Rebates page outlines the cost of our appointments.
What is the Medicare Safety Net?
The Medicare Safety Net set thresholds on an annual basis, with new thresholds set from January 1st. In 2026, the Original Medicare Safety Net threshold is $594.40, the Extended Medicare Safety Net thresholds is $2699.10 for the general threshold and $861.20 for concession cardholders and families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A. Once you have spent a certain amount in out of pocket costs, you’ll reach the thresholds. Once you’ve reached the thresholds, Medicare will reimburse you at a higher rate. This is important to note if you or your family are also accessing other health care services, alongside Psychology services.
How many sessions can you claim?
With an eligible Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) provided by your GP, you will be able to claim the Medicare Rebate on 10 sessions in a calendar year. An initial referral usually provides access for up to 6 appointments. After this, you will need to revisit your referring GP for a review where they can then provide a further referral for another 4 appointments. Your MHCP does not necessarily expire after 12 months, if you have not used all 10 sessions, please chat to our Admin team to ascertain if you need to have your plan renewed.
We are also able to accept Chronic Condition Management Plans (CCMP) and Eating Disorder Treatment Plans (EDTP) which also enable you to claim a rebate on eligible psychology appointments. With a CCMP, you are able to access 5 Allied Health rebated sessions per calendar year (includes physiotherapy, dietetics, psychology & more). Individuals with an EDTP, can access up to 40 psychology sessions in a calendar year however they must be reviewed by their referring health practitioner (GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist) after every 10 appointments before continuing psychological treatment.
Can I claim the Medicare Rebate on Telehealth sessions?
Yes! You are still able to access up to 10 Psychology sessions per calendar year with an eligible Mental Health Care Plan. This enables individuals who need to manage accessibility & mobility needs, childcare, work schedules or geographic location to still access the mental health support they need. All of our Psychologists are available for Telehealth upon request.
If the Medicare Rebate still does not cover enough of the cost to make seeing a Psychologist affordable, do you have other options?
At Graham Psychology, we a proud to offer low cost counselling with our Provisional Psychologists. Our robust Provisional Psychology program means that we always have at least one, but usually more, Provisional Psychologists at each of our locations - Doncaster, Ringwood & Narre Warren. As of June 1st 2026, we have intentionally not raised the cost of these sessions to ensure we are able to support individuals requiring an affordable therapy option with a qualified and registered Psychologist. During business hours, appointments with our Provisional Psychologists cost $80.
We are also able to offer payment plans for both therapy and appointments. Our Admin team can have a discrete conversation with you about how we can best support you to access Psychology appointments.
If seeing a Psychologist is on your to-do list, explore our team of Psychologists at each of our clinics here:
If you have any further questions about rebate eligibility, our fees or financial relief options, please contact our Admin team.