How to get a Mental Health Care Plan online in Australia

A Mental Health Care Plan is a structured plan prepared by a GP that documents a mental health diagnosis, treatment goals, and referrals to psychology or other mental health services. Under the Better Access initiative, a plan unlocks up to ten Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions per calendar year. Mental Health Care Plans can be prepared through telehealth. Abby Health bulk bills plans for eligible patients.

Before we start — if you're in crisis

If you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else, please reach out right now: call 000 in an emergency, Lifeline on 13 11 14 (free, 24/7), or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. You can also text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14. See our crisis support page for more immediate options. A Mental Health Care Plan is for ongoing care — not urgent safety.

What a Mental Health Care Plan is

A Mental Health Care Plan, often abbreviated MHCP, is a document prepared by a GP after a structured mental health assessment. It records your mental health history, current concerns, a diagnosis or provisional diagnosis, your goals for treatment, and the supports and referrals that will help you get there — most commonly, a referral to a psychologist for a course of sessions.

It is part of the Australian Government's Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, which runs through Medicare. The plan is what unlocks Medicare rebates for the sessions that follow.

Who can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan

Under Medicare, Mental Health Care Plans are prepared by GPs. The GP must use a structured mental health assessment process that includes specific history-taking, risk assessment, and outcome tools. At Abby Health, Mental Health Care Plans are prepared by Specialist GPs — doctors with Fellowship of RACGP or ACRRM.

How many psychology sessions you get

Under Better Access, a Mental Health Care Plan currently unlocks up to ten individual psychology sessions per calendar year, rebated by Medicare. Sessions are delivered in two blocks — an initial block of up to six sessions, followed by a review with your GP, then up to four further sessions if clinically appropriate. For the official detail, see the Department of Health and Aged Care Better Access page.

Group psychology sessions are also available under Better Access — up to ten per calendar year, separately from individual sessions.

What the plan appointment looks like

A Mental Health Care Plan appointment is usually longer than a standard consultation — typically 20–40 minutes — because it includes a structured assessment. Your GP will:

ask about your current concerns, mood, sleep, stressors, supports, and any past mental health history;

use standardised questionnaires (for example, K10 or DASS-21) to help quantify what you're experiencing;

ask about safety — including thoughts of self-harm — because that is a required part of the assessment;

discuss with you what treatment approach might suit, and which psychologist services are available to you;

prepare the plan document and the referral, and explain both.

You leave the appointment with a completed plan and a referral you can take to a registered psychologist.

Who qualifies for a Mental Health Care Plan

Medicare-rebated Mental Health Care Plans are available to patients with a diagnosable mental health condition — including conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress, eating-related concerns, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. You do not need to have seen a psychologist before. Many people get their first Mental Health Care Plan for difficulties with anxiety or low mood.

You do not need a prior diagnosis to book the appointment. The GP's job is to conduct the assessment and make a clinical judgement.

What it costs

Abby Health bulk bills Mental Health Care Plan appointments for eligible patients. The psychology sessions themselves are billed separately by your psychologist, with Medicare rebating a portion of each session. Different psychologists set different fees. Bulk-billed psychologists exist but are a minority — your GP can help you find one if cost is a concern.

Who your GP can refer you to

Under Better Access, referrals go to registered psychologists (including clinical psychologists), accredited mental health social workers, and occupational therapists with mental health accreditation. Clinical psychologists attract a higher Medicare rebate than other psychologists. Your GP will discuss the best fit for your situation.

Reviewing your plan

After an initial block of sessions, you return to your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan review. The review checks how you're progressing, whether the plan is working, and whether further sessions are appropriate. Reviews are an essential part of the Better Access structure — they are how additional sessions are unlocked.

How to book a plan at Abby

Book a Mental Health Care Plan consultation through abbyhealth.app/book. Select "Mental Health Care Plan" as the reason for visit so the appointment is allocated the longer time it needs.

The clinician reviewing you is one of Abby's Specialist GPs. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ramu Nachiappan, oversees clinical standards for mental health consultations across the network. Related reading: Better Access and your ten sessions explained and getting a psychology referral through Abby.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan entirely online?

Yes. Medicare rules specifically support MHCP consultations by telehealth. The subsequent psychology sessions can also be delivered by telehealth.

Do I need a formal diagnosis before I book?

No. The appointment itself includes the assessment that leads to a diagnosis (or provisional diagnosis) and the plan.

What if I just want to talk to someone — do I need a plan?

Not always. Many people book a standard GP telehealth appointment to talk through how they're feeling without committing to a full plan. Your GP can explain both pathways. General counselling support is also available through free services like Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).

Can my GP prescribe medication at the same appointment?

Yes, if clinically appropriate. A GP can prescribe medication for mental health concerns alongside preparing a Mental Health Care Plan. Any medication decision is made clinically and reviewed appropriately.

My Medicare plan year already had a plan on it. Do I need a new one?

A calendar year's Better Access sessions are linked to the plan, not renewed automatically. Your GP will advise whether a new plan or a review is the right step.

Find Comfort. Abby Health. Knowing someone cares.