Psychology Funding Options Melbourne
Medicare · NDIS · WorkCover · TAC · DVA · VOCAT · Private Health — we accept them all.
✓ Medicare Rebates Available
✓ Registered NDIS Provider
✓ WorkCover & TAC Approved
✓ DVA & VOCAT Accepted
✓ $0 Out-of-Pocket (where eligible)
How to Fund Your Psychology Sessions
We accept all major funding schemes. Find yours below — and see exactly what you need to access it.
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Medicare (Better Access)
Australian Medicare card holders
Coverage: Rebate per session — up to 10 sessions/year
Requires: GP referral + Mental Health Treatment Plan
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NDIS
NDIS participants (self, plan or agency managed)
Coverage: Fully funded — $0 out-of-pocket
Requires: Approved NDIS plan with psychology funding
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WorkCover / WorkSafe
Work-related injury or illness
Coverage: Fully funded — $0 out-of-pocket
Requires: Approved WorkCover claim + GP referral
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TAC
Transport accident injury
Coverage: Fully funded — $0 out-of-pocket
Requires: Approved TAC claim + GP referral
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DVA
Veterans with Gold or White Card
Coverage: Fully funded — $0 out-of-pocket
Requires: DVA Gold or White Card + GP referral
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VOCAT
Victorian victims of crime
Coverage: Standard session fee applies — client pays upfront and claims reimbursement from VOCAT
Requires: VOCAT assistance certificate; confirm clinician availability before booking
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Private Health Insurance
Extras cover policy holders
Coverage: Partial rebate depending on policy
Requires: Active extras cover — no GP referral needed
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Self-Funded / EAP
Anyone — no referral needed
Coverage: Standard session fee applies
Requires: No referral — book directly online
Medicare (Better Access) Psychology
The Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative lets eligible Australians access up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate. The rebate reduces your out-of-pocket cost significantly — or eliminates it entirely on bulk-billed appointments.
Which psychologist attracts which rebate?
The rebate amount differs by psychologist type:
- ✓Clinical Psychologists — highest rebate under Better Access
- ✓Registered Psychologists — standard rebate under Better Access
How to Access Medicare Rebates
Step 1 — See your GP.
Ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) and referral letter under the Better Access initiative.
Step 2 — Book with us.
Call us at 1300 224 665. Send us your MHTP and referral document.
Step 3 — Complete your intake form.
Fill in our New Client Intake & Consent Form before your first appointment.
Step 4 — Attend your session.
You're all set — we'll have everything on file.
Step 5 — Claim your rebate.
We lodge your Medicare claim after each session. Rebate lands in your account within 2–3 business days.
No Pension or Health Care Card required. Bulk-billed daytime weekday telehealth spots available subject to availability.
NDIS Psychology Melbourne
The Talk Shop is a registered NDIS provider. We accept self-managed, plan-managed, and agency-managed participants — no GP referral required. Eligible participants pay $0 out-of-pocket.
- ✓Self-managed, plan-managed & agency-managed participants welcome
- ✓No GP referral required to book
- ✓Psychology billed under Improved Daily Living supports
- ✓We liaise with your plan manager or support coordinator directly
Find your nearest NDIS clinic:
WorkCover & TAC Psychology
Approved providers for both WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission.
WorkCover (WorkSafe Victoria)
If you have a WorkCover (WorkSafe Victoria) claim for a work-related psychological injury — such as workplace stress, bullying, trauma or burnout — your psychology sessions may be fully funded at no cost to you.
- ✓Approved WorkCover claim required
- ✓GP referral & treatment plan required
- ✓We liaise with your insurer directly
Not sure if you qualify? Call us on 1300 224 665.
TAC — Transport Accident Commission
If you were injured in a transport accident in Victoria and have a TAC (Transport Accident Commission) claim, your psychology sessions are fully funded — including treatment for psychological injury resulting from the accident.
- ✓Approved TAC claim required
- ✓GP referral & treatment plan required
- ✓We liaise with the TAC on your behalf
Call us to confirm eligibility.
DVA & VOCAT Psychology
Supporting veterans and victims of crime with fully funded psychology services.
DVA — Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The Talk Shop accepts DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) clients holding a Gold Card or White Card. Eligible veterans can access psychology services at no out-of-pocket cost.
- ✓DVA Gold Card: covers all accepted conditions
- ✓DVA White Card: covers service-related mental health conditions
- ✓GP referral required to access DVA-funded sessions
VOCAT — Victims of Crime
VOCAT (Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal) provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime in Victoria, including reimbursement for reasonable counselling expenses. At The Talk Shop, VOCAT clients are booked as standard private sessions — the client pays upfront and then submits receipts to VOCAT to claim reimbursement.
- ✓VOCAT assistance certificate required
- ✓Confirm clinician availability before booking — call 1300 224 665 first
- ✓Session fee paid upfront; client claims reimbursement from VOCAT
- ✓We liaise with your solicitor or VOCAT case manager
Call us on 1300 224 665 to confirm availability before booking.
Private Health & Self-Funded Sessions
No funding scheme? No problem. Access psychology support with or without insurance.
Private Health Insurance
Many private health extras policies cover psychology. The rebate you receive depends on your insurer and policy level.
- ✓No GP referral needed
- ✓We provide a paid receipt for you to claim with your fund
- ✓Check your policy for annual rebate limits
Self-Funded & EAP
No referral, no wait, no complexity. Simply book directly and pay the standard session fee. Great for those who want flexible, immediate access to support.
- ✓No referral or GP visit required
- ✓Book online in minutes — often same-week availability
- ✓EAP referrals also accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
No referral is needed to book an appointment. However, to access Medicare rebates under Better Access, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP. For NDIS, WorkCover, TAC, DVA and VOCAT, you will need an approved claim or plan before sessions can be billed to those schemes. Self-funded and private health clients can book directly with no referral at all.
Under the Better Access initiative, eligible Australians can access up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate. Your GP or psychiatrist must provide a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan. After 6 sessions, a GP review is typically required before the remaining sessions are approved.
The rebate amount differs by psychologist type — Clinical Psychologists attract the highest rebate under Better Access, while Registered Psychologists attract the standard rebate. The exact dollar amounts are updated periodically by the Australian Government. See our current fees and rebate information →
Yes. Psychology is typically funded under Improved Daily Living supports in your NDIS plan. The Talk Shop is a registered NDIS provider and accepts self-managed, plan-managed, and agency-managed participants. No GP referral is required. See our NDIS pages for location-specific information →
In most cases, yes — though some restrictions apply. For example, you cannot use Medicare rebates and NDIS funding for the same session. If you are unsure which scheme is best for your situation, our reception team is happy to help. Call 1300 224 665 and we’ll walk you through your options.
You can still access psychology support at The Talk Shop by booking self-funded appointments. No referral is needed — simply book online or call us. We also offer affordable appointments with our Provisional Psychologists from $50 per session, supervised by a senior psychologist. See our full fee schedule →
Not Sure Which Funding Applies to You?
Our reception team can help you identify the right funding pathway before you book. Call us or book a free initial phone consultation.