Getting a Mental Health Care Plan in Melbourne:
A Step-by-Step Guide to a Mental Health Care Plan
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low in mood, or simply not yourself, you might have heard someone mention a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). But if you’re not sure what that actually means, how to get one, or what happens next — you’re not alone. Many Melburnians find the mental health system confusing to navigate, particularly under pressure.
This guide breaks it down clearly and kindly, so you know exactly what to expect — from your first GP appointment through to seeing a psychologist. It also covers what financial support is available through Medicare, and what to do if the system feels out of reach. With the right mental health care plan Melbourne, you can begin your journey towards better mental well-being.
What Is a Mental Health Care Plan?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a formal document created by your General Practitioner (GP) that assesses your mental health needs and refers you to an appropriate mental health professional, such as a psychologist. It is not a diagnosis — it is a referral and access pathway.
Once your GP completes the plan, you become eligible for Medicare rebates on up to 10 individual psychological therapy sessions per calendar year. This means the Australian Government subsidises a significant portion of the cost of your sessions, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses considerably.
A 2023 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that approximately 4.4 million Australians accessed Medicare-subsidised mental health services in the 2022–23 financial year — an increase of over 10% compared to the pre-pandemic period. Despite this, access barriers including cost, awareness, and stigma remain significant (AIHW, 2023).
Who Can Get a Mental Health Care Plan?
Any Australian who holds a Medicare card and is experiencing a mental health difficulty can request a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP. You do not need to have a formal psychiatric diagnosis, and you do not need to be in crisis. Common reasons people seek an MHCP include:
- Persistent low mood, sadness, or hopelessness
- Anxiety, worry, or panic that is interfering with daily life
- Stress related to work, relationships, finances, or major life changes
- Grief or loss
- Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or managing emotions
- Eating concerns, body image issues, or disordered eating patterns
- Trauma, PTSD, or ongoing effects of adverse childhood experiences
- Burnout or emotional exhaustion
It’s important to understand that seeking help early — before a situation escalates — is not a sign of weakness. It is, in the words of many clinicians, one of the most proactive things a person can do for their long-term health. Research consistently shows that early intervention reduces the duration and severity of mental health episodes (Hetrick et al., 2021).
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Mental Health Care Plan in Melbourne
Step 1: Make a GP Appointment — and Ask Specifically for an MHCP
Call your regular GP clinic and request a longer appointment — typically 30 to 45 minutes — specifically for a Mental Health Care Plan. This is important: standard 10-minute appointments are not long enough for this assessment. When booking, simply say: “I’d like a longer appointment to discuss getting a Mental Health Care Plan.”
If you don’t have a regular GP, you can find a bulk-billing or low-cost GP through the healthdirect GP Locator (healthdirect.gov.au) or the Melbourne Primary Care Network. Some walk-in clinics in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs also facilitate MHCPs.
💡 Melbourne Tip:
Many GP practices in Melbourne — particularly in the northern and eastern suburbs — are experiencing high demand. If your usual GP has a long wait, ask specifically whether any other GPs at the same clinic can see you sooner for a mental health appointment. You are not required to see the same GP for your MHCP as you normally would.
Step 2: Have an Open Conversation With Your GP
Your GP will ask you a series of questions to understand what you have been experiencing. This may include standardised screening questionnaires such as the PHQ-9 (for depression) or the GAD-7 (for anxiety). These are evidence-based tools used routinely in primary care across Australia.
Be as honest and specific as you can. You don’t need to minimise how you’re feeling or convince your GP that things are “bad enough”. GPs are trained to listen without judgement, and their role is to support you — not to assess whether you’ve “earned” help.
Your GP will also ask about your medical history, any current medications, lifestyle factors, and your support network. This is all part of building a complete picture of your wellbeing.
Step 3: Your GP Creates the Plan
If your GP determines that psychological support is appropriate (which it will be in the vast majority of cases), they will create your MHCP on the spot or at a follow-up short appointment. The plan will outline:
- Your current symptoms and their impact on your daily life
- Your treatment goals
- The type of therapy recommended (e.g., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- A referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional
You will receive a copy of this plan. It is your document, and you are entitled to ask your GP to explain any part of it.
Step 4: Choose Your Psychologist
With your MHCP in hand, you can now book with a registered or clinical psychologist of your choice. Your GP may recommend specific practitioners, but you are not obligated to use their suggestion. You have the right to choose a provider who suits your needs, preferences, and budget.
Key things to consider when choosing a psychologist include: their area of specialisation, availability, location (or telehealth availability), language spoken, gender preference, and cost.
About The Talk Shop:
The Talk Shop operates across four Melbourne locations — Melbourne CBD, Reservoir, Wheelers Hill (Brandon Park), and Mooroolbark — as well as telehealth. We offer low-cost psychology appointments and bulk-billed telehealth sessions for eligible clients. Our team includes over 90 registered and clinical psychologists, provisional psychologists, and clinicians with specialist experience in anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief, relationships, and more. We also have clinicians who speak Arabic, Mandarin, Farsi, Spanish, Turkish, Hindi, and other languages.
Step 5: Attend Your Sessions and Claim Your Rebate
When you see your psychologist, they will claim your Medicare rebate on your behalf (or you can claim it through the Medicare app or myGov after the appointment). The rebate amount depends on the type of psychologist you see:
- Registered Psychologist: Medicare rebate of $96.65 per session (2024–25 rate)
- Clinical Psychologist: Medicare rebate of $141.85 per session (2024–25 rate)
Any difference between the psychologist’s full fee and the Medicare rebate is your out-of-pocket cost. At The Talk Shop, we structure our fees to minimise this gap and offer bulk-billing for eligible telehealth clients, meaning many clients pay nothing at all.
Step 6: Review and Renew
After your initial 6 sessions, you will need to return to your GP for a review before accessing your remaining 4 sessions (up to 10 total per calendar year). This is a normal and important part of the process — your GP checks in on your progress and confirms that continued psychological support is appropriate for you.
After 10 sessions in a calendar year, you may continue to see a psychologist at your own expense, or speak with your GP about other funded options such as NDIS, WorkCover, or TAC if applicable.
What If I Can't Afford a Psychologist Even With Medicare?
This is one of the most common and legitimate barriers to mental health care in Melbourne — and it’s one The Talk Shop was founded specifically to address.
A 2022 study published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry found that cost was cited as a barrier to mental health care by 28.4% of Australians who reported an unmet need for psychological help (Rosenberg et al., 2022). This is not a personal failing — it is a structural reality of the healthcare system.
If gap fees are a concern, here are your options:
- Bulk-billed telehealth psychology: The Talk Shop offers Medicare bulk-billed telehealth appointments (no out-of-pocket cost) for eligible clients, subject to availability.
- Provisional psychologists: Seeing a supervised provisional psychologist at a lower fee — still with Medicare rebate eligibility — is a clinically sound, cost-effective option.
- Community mental health services: EACH, Mind Australia, and headspace (for under 25s) offer lower-cost or free mental health services across greater Melbourne.
- NDIS: If you have a psychosocial disability, you may be able to access psychological support through your NDIS plan. The Talk Shop is registered with NDIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
Technically, no — you can self-refer to a psychologist at any time. However, without an MHCP, you won’t receive a Medicare rebate, meaning you’ll pay the full fee out of pocket. For most people, getting an MHCP first is the most financially sensible approach.
How long does the MHCP process take?
The initial GP appointment typically takes 30–45 minutes. Once you have the plan, you can often book with a psychologist within days to weeks, depending on demand. At The Talk Shop, we aim to offer immediate low-cost appointments without the long waits typical of bulk-billed services.
Can I change psychologists mid-way through my sessions?
Yes. You are not locked in to any single provider. If you feel the therapeutic relationship is not a good fit — which is normal and nothing to feel guilty about — you can change psychologists. You simply continue using the same MHCP and remaining sessions.
What if my GP doesn't take my concerns seriously?
Unfortunately, this does happen. If you feel dismissed, you have every right to seek a second opinion from another GP. You may also ask a trusted person to accompany you to the appointment for support. Your mental health matters, and you deserve to be heard.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re in Melbourne and you’re ready to get the support you deserve, The Talk Shop is here. We accept clients with Mental Health Care Plans, NDIS funding, WorkCover, TAC, and self-referrals. Our team is warm, experienced, and dedicated to making quality mental health care genuinely accessible.
📞 Call us on 1300 224 665
🌐 Book online at www.thetalkshop.com.au
📍 Locations: Melbourne CBD | Reservoir | Wheelers Hill | Mooroolbark | Telehealth
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Mental health services in Australia: Medicare-subsidised mental health-specific services. AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health
Hetrick, S. E., McKenzie, J. E., Bailey, A. P., Sharma, V., Moller, C. I., Badcock, P. B., Cox, G. R., Merry, S. N., & Meader, N. (2021). New generation antidepressants for depression in children and adolescents: A network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(5), CD013674. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013674.pub2
Rosenberg, S., Hickie, I. B., McGorry, P. D., Salvador-Carulla, L., Burns, J., Cohen, A., & Cullen, J. (2022). Finding the right care: Why affordability and access remain barriers to psychological treatment in Australia. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56(7), 816–826. https://doi.org/10.1177/00048674221082
Services Australia. (2024). Medicare benefits for psychological services. Australian Government. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-plan
