Mental Health Care Plan: How to Get One Online
A Mental Health Care Plan, sometimes called a mental health treatment plan, is a plan your GP prepares with you to support your mental health. Getting a mental health care plan online works the same way as in a clinic: your doctor talks through what you are experiencing, agrees goals with you, and, where appropriate, refers you for Medicare subsidised sessions with a mental health professional. It is part of the Australian Government Better Access initiative.
You can explore the options in our Mental Health help centre.
Get
Standard Consult
support
Under Better Access, an eligible person with a Mental Health Care Plan can access a set number of Medicare subsidised sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist. The plan sets out your goals, treatment options, and support contacts, and it gives the mental health professional useful context before your first session.
The exact number of subsidised sessions is set by the Australian Government and can change, so your GP will confirm the current arrangements with you. A plan is also the pathway to seeing a bulk billed psychologist where one is available.
A Mental Health Care Plan is intended for people with a diagnosable mental health condition that a GP assesses would benefit from structured support, such as anxiety or depression. Your doctor makes this assessment during the consultation. Not everyone who feels stressed will need a plan, and your GP will discuss whether it is the right step for you or whether another form of support fits better.
You will need a valid Medicare card to access the subsidised sessions a plan enables.
The process is straightforward:
- Book a telehealth appointment with an Abby GP. A longer consultation is usually needed, since preparing a plan takes time.
- Abby AI gathers your history and may include a K10 questionnaire so your doctor starts informed.
- Your GP talks through what you are experiencing, agrees goals with you, and prepares the plan.
- If appropriate, your GP refers you to a mental health professional for subsidised sessions.
Because your history stays in one record, your review and any future support remain connected. Book an appointment to start.
For the GP consultation that prepares your plan: Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict eligibility criteria apply. Where bulk billing does not apply, an out of pocket consultation fee applies.
The psychology sessions a plan enables attract a Medicare rebate. Some providers bulk bill these sessions and some charge a gap fee, which varies by provider. Services Australia sets out how Medicare supports mental health care.
Ready to talk to someone?
After your initial sessions, your GP reviews how things are going. A review consultation checks your progress, adjusts goals, and, if needed and you remain eligible, supports continued access to subsidised sessions. Reviews are an important part of the plan, not an optional extra, and they are easy to arrange through telehealth.
A Mental Health Care Plan is for ongoing, non urgent support. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please reach out now. In an emergency call 000. You can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for First Nations support. These services are available around the clock. Some situations are also better suited to in person care, and your GP will tell you if that applies.
Editorial Standards
Notice something that doesn’t look right? Let us know at support@abbyhealth.app
The information reflects guidance available as of the "last updated" date shown above. Medical knowledge evolves, and individual circumstances vary — always discuss decisions about your care with a qualified clinician.
In an emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Abby Health is not an emergency service. For mental health crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you have feedback or believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact our editorial team at support@abbyhealth.app. Abby Health complies with AHPRA advertising standards and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Authors
.avif)
