Bulk billing for psychology means your Medicare rebate covers the full cost of your session — you pay nothing out of pocket. At The Talk Shop, Medicare bulk billing is available via telehealth for eligible clients, and lower-cost sessions with provisional psychologists start from $50, with in-person care at our four Melbourne clinics.
A bulk billed psychology session is one where your psychologist accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment — meaning you pay $0 out of pocket. To access bulk billing, you need a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP, which entitles you to up to 10 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions per calendar year.
The Medicare rebate rates (as of 1 July 2026) are:
• Registered Psychologist: ~$101.55 per session
• Clinical Psychologist: ~$149.05 per session
Because the recommended fee for a standard psychology session is significantly higher than these rebates, true bulk billing (no out-of-pocket cost) is increasingly rare in Melbourne. Most private practices charge a gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate. Learn why bulk billing is rare and what your options are →
We offer several pathways to make psychology as affordable as possible in Melbourne:
| Option | How it Works | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Bulk Billing (Telehealth) | Eligible clients with a Mental Health Care Plan can access bulk billed sessions via telehealth. Subject to availability — a waitlist may apply. | $0 |
| Provisional Psychologist Sessions | See one of our supervised provisional psychologists in person or via telehealth. Lower fees, same evidence-based care. | From $50 |
| Medicare Rebate + Gap Fee | See a registered or clinical psychologist, pay the session fee, and claim your Medicare rebate back. The gap is the difference. | Gap from ~$123 |
| WorkCover / NDIS / TAC | If you have an approved claim, your sessions are fully funded. You pay nothing. | $0 |
Gap fees vary by psychologist type and clinic. Call 1300 224 665 to confirm current rates before booking. See our full session fees and pricing.
Book a 30-45 minute appointment specifically for a Mental Health Care Plan. Tell your GP you’d like a referral for psychology support.
Your GP creates your Mental Health Care Plan, which gives you access to up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year.
Call 1300 224 665 or complete our new client intake form. Our team will check your eligibility and availability.
If bulk billed telehealth is available, you’ll be matched with a psychologist. If waitlisted, we’ll offer a low-cost alternative in the interim.
Your psychologist claims the Medicare rebate directly — no paperwork needed. For telehealth bulk billing, you pay $0 at the time of the session.
Availability varies by clinic and psychologist. Telehealth offers the highest chance of accessing bulk billing:
| Location | Bulk Billing | Low-Cost Option |
|---|---|---|
| Telehealth (Australia-wide) | ✅ Available (subject to waitlist) | From $50 with a provisional psychologist |
| Melbourne CBD | Limited — via telehealth only | Lower-cost provisional sessions |
| Wheelers Hill (Brandon Park) | Limited — via telehealth only | Lower-cost provisional sessions |
| Reservoir | Limited — via telehealth only | Lower-cost provisional sessions |
| Mooroolbark | Limited — via telehealth only | Lower-cost provisional sessions |
Availability changes regularly. Call 1300 224 665 for the most current bulk billing waitlist status.
If our telehealth bulk billing waitlist is full, you still have affordable options:
Our supervised provisional psychologists offer lower fees while delivering the same evidence-based care under the guidance of senior clinicians. These sessions aren’t Medicare-claimable, so no referral is needed.
See a registered psychologist, pay the session fee, and claim your Medicare rebate (~$101.55) back. At The Talk Shop, gap fees are structured to minimise your out-of-pocket cost.
If your psychological care relates to a workplace injury, disability, or transport accident, it may be fully funded through the relevant scheme. See our funding options guide.
Many employers offer free EAP sessions as a workplace benefit. Check with your HR team. The Talk Shop is an EAP provider — learn more.
You need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP to access Medicare rebates, including bulk billing. However, you can book a private (self-funded) session without a referral at any time.
Under Medicare’s Better Access program, you can access up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Your GP must review your MHCP after the first 6 sessions before you can access the remaining 4.
Bulk billed = $0 out of pocket (Medicare covers everything). Low-cost = you pay a reduced fee. At The Talk Shop, our lowest-cost sessions are with provisional psychologists, from $50. These aren’t Medicare-claimable.
Yes. Multiple Australian and international studies confirm that telehealth psychology is clinically equivalent to in-person therapy for most presentations, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Concession cards (Pension, Health Care Card, etc.) don’t automatically entitle you to bulk billing from psychologists — each practice sets its own bulk billing policy. At The Talk Shop, bulk billing eligibility is based on having a current MHCP and telehealth availability, not concession status.
Call us on 1300 224 665 to check current bulk billing availability, or book online to start the process today.
