How to get a mental health treatment plan

Published October 2026 | 5 min read
Expert contributors: Dr Karen Spielman, Chair of the Psychological Medicine Specific Interest Group, RACGP; Keirstie Bull, Executive General Manager Primary Health Care – Nursing and Midwifery, Royal Flying Doctor Service
Words by Lucy E Cousins

Key takeaways

• A mental health treatment plan helps eligible Australians access Medicare rebates for treatment with mental health professionals.
• Under a mental health treatment plan, a person may be able to access up to 10 individual and 10 group Medicare-rebated mental health sessions each calendar year.
• HCF members may also be able to access consultations with mental health professionals through selected extras cover^*, as well as mental health support programs.

Looking for mental health support? Here’s everything you need to know about asking your GP for a mental health treatment plan.

Mental health issues affect one in five Australian adults every year, and around 43% will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. If you feel like you need support, your GP should be your first port of call.

They can assess your needs and, if appropriate, create a personalised mental health treatment plan, sometimes still referred to by its former name, ‘mental health care plan’. This plan of action, which your GP creates and monitors, outlines your treatment goals and can help you access Medicare-subsidised sessions with eligible mental health professionals.

Find out why you should talk to your GP about mental health, who is eligible for a mental health treatment plan, what costs are involved and how many sessions are included.

What's a mental health treatment plan?

A mental health treatment plan is part of the overall management of your mental health and general wellbeing, says Dr Karen Spielman, Chair of the Psychological Medicine Specific Interest Group of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

It may include shared goals between you and your GP, detailed treatment steps and options, as well as access to a Medicare rebate for part of the recommended services.

Who is eligible for a mental health treatment plan?

Anyone with a valid Medicare card who has a clinically diagnosed mental health condition, like anxiety or depression, may be eligible for a mental health treatment plan. You can talk to your doctor about your eligibility and whether a plan could be right for you.

How to get a mental health treatment plan

Accessing support for your mental health is straightforward once you find the best GP for your needs, says Dr Spielman.

Step 1: Find the best GP for you

If you don’t have one already, ask friends and family if they can recommend a GP well versed in mental health, says Dr Spielman. “While GPs are all trained to look after the whole person, some GPs have extra skills in mental health,” she explains. A simple web search of GPs in your local area might also help you to connect and book with a GP near you.

Step 2: Book an appointment with your GP

You may need to book a longer appointment to discuss your concerns, says Dr Spielman. When booking online, for example, there’s often an option to specify whether you’re booking a mental health treatment plan appointment.

Step 3: Your doctor assesses your concerns

Make sure you speak honestly to your doctor about your feelings and what you’re worried about, says Dr Spielman. “As part of a good assessment, your GP will get to know you and your previous history, family history and social context to make sure they’re not missing anything that could be presenting as a mental health issue,” she explains.

Step 4: Your plan is created

If your doctor feels you could benefit from a mental health treatment plan, they’ll begin the process of creating it. “Straightforward plans may be able to be created within the appointment, while more complex plans might require a follow-up visit,” says Dr Spielman.

Step 5: Understand who might be involved

Your GP will have a conversation with you about the mental health professionals you could see as part of your mental health treatment plan. “This could be a referral for a clinical psychologist, a registered psychologist or accredited mental health social worker,” Dr Spielman explains.

How many sessions do you get?

If you have a mental health treatment plan, you may be able to get help covering the cost of appointments with an eligible mental health professional through Medicare. Your GP will decide how many sessions to refer you for initially and may refer you for more after reviewing your progress. Medicare rebates may be available for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions each year.

How much does a mental health treatment plan cost?

The cost of a mental health treatment plan is basically however much you pay to your GP for the consultation to get the plan locked in, so it varies depending on whether your GP bulk bills. If they do, the cost of the consultation and a mental health treatment plan will be free (no out-of-pocket expenses). If your GP doesn’t bulk bill, you’ll usually pay the consultation fee upfront and get a Medicare rebate. The amount depends on how the GP bills the consultation and what training they’ve undertaken.

Private health insurance can support your mental health – for example, HCF members with eligible extras cover^* may be able to claim consultations with:

• a psychologist, if you don’t have a mental health treatment plan or you’ve used up your annual Medicare-rebated session limit under the plan
• an HCF-approved counsellor
• an accredited mental health social worker.

How long does a mental health treatment plan last?

A mental health treatment plan doesn’t expire; it remains in place until your GP reviews or updates it. The Medicare-subsidised limit of 10 individual and 10 group sessions resets each calendar year, subject to eligibility, review and referral requirements.

Can you get a mental health care plan online?

Yes. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you may be able to access a mental health treatment plan by booking a telehealth appointment with your GP, provided they’re your usual GP or your designated GP for the purposes of mental health care. Once you have a referral, many health professionals also offer online or telehealth appointments.

For those living in outback South Australia and Central Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT (RFDS) Mental Health and Wellbeing Service provides mental health and wellbeing support to people living and working in remote communities, including through telehealth and fly-in clinics. Support can range from short-term help during periods of distress to longer-term care for anxiety, depression and more complex conditions.

“People who live and work in the bush are incredibly strong and resilient, but life can catch up with anyone,” says Keirstie Bull, RFDS Executive General Manager Primary Health Care, Nursing and Midwifery. “For many, the biggest challenges are distance, isolation and having no-one nearby to talk to.

“That’s why we’re bringing support to people, whether through telehealth or a fly-in clinic, and giving remote communities access to confidential, safe care.”

Common myths about mental health treatment plans

Don't let these four myths hold you back from accessing mental health support.

• Myth #1: Mental health support is only for people in crisis. False. “Picking things up early is always easier to treat,” says Dr Spielman.

• Myth #2: GPs don't manage mental health. False. GPs are well trained to manage mental health concerns from mild and moderate to severe, says Dr Spielman.

• Myth #3: My GP will judge me for asking. False. GPs are trained to perform a holistic assessment, says Dr Spielman. “GPs look after mind and body, and don't like to separate mental health from physical health as it impacts so much of our wellbeing.”

• Myth #4: The only option is to speak to a psychologist. False. There’s a range of non-medication and non-counselling pathways that GPs can help you with, says Dr Spielman. “A lot of GPs are skilled in psychological interventions and, depending on your situation, they may be able to support you without a referral.”

How HCF could help with mental health support

HCF offers a range of mental health support services to help members with or without a mental health treatment plan. Depending on the level of cover, eligible members may be able to access benefits towards:

• consultations with mental health professionals through selected extras cover^*
• THIS WAY UP^{^} for online, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy programs on eligible cover
• a HealthyMinds Check-in⁺ for no additional cost on eligible cover.

Where to find more support

If you need support for yourself or a loved one, the following services are available. In emergencies, always call 000.

• Lifeline (13 11 14): 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
• Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36): Mental health information, support and free counselling.
• Medicare Mental Health: Government mental health information, service finder and treatment resources.
• Headspace: Free or low-cost mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25.
• SANE: Support, information and guided forums for people living with complex mental health conditions, and their families and carers.

Book a free mental wellbeing check

To give you faster, easier access to qualified mental health professionals, all eligible members on your policy can get an annual telehealth HealthyMinds Check-in⁺ with a psychologist from one of our partners anywhere in Australia. You have the flexibility to choose the psychologist that's right for you, at a time and day that fits your schedule, with appointments available up to 21 hours a day.