Seeing a psychologist is often more affordable than you think.
Depending on your individual circumstances, there are two ways that you can access psychology sessions at a reduced cost:
Medicare rebates for counselling
Through Medicare’s “Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative” you may be eligible to receive a rebate for psychology services.
The initiative is available if your GP believes you meet particular criteria for a mental health issue. In addition to mental health conditions, this can also include having difficulties adjusting to changes in your life such as losing a loved one, going through a divorce or separation, being unemployed or going through a break-up.
Eligible clients receive a rebate between $92.90 and $131.65 for up to ten individual sessions per calendar year.
It is up to your GP to decide whether you are eligible for a Medicare referral.
If you are, they will give you a document known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which will enable you to claim your rebate.
At Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology we have an online system set up that allows us to arrange your rebate for you so that you don’t need to complete the paperwork yourself.
Speak with your GP or get in touch with our Support Team here if you have questions about whether you might be eligible for a Medicare referral.
Please note that we are not a bulk-billing clinic, so we are not able to offer bulk-billed appointments – although as we’ve noted above we can offer Medicare rebates with a referral. If you are specifically looking for a bulk-billing psychology practice visit the Australian Psychological Society directory here.
Private health cover for counselling services
If you have private health insurance that includes psychological counselling as extras cover you may be eligible for a partial rebate. It is recommended that you contact your insurance provider for further information about your coverage because the amount rebated depends on the insurance company and level of insurance that you have.
How we can help
Depending on what you would like assistance with and how many sessions you might need, our psychologists will do their best to work with you to create a plan that is in line with your budget.
Click here to book an appointment with one of our experienced psychologists or call our friendly Support Team on (03) 9376 1958.
If you would like to explore other low-cost counselling options, we’ve also created a list of organisations based in Melbourne and online.
Other free or low-cost counselling services
General services
Berry Street
A: 1 Salisbury Street, Richmond VIC 3121
P: 9450 4700
W: https://www.berrystreet.org.au
INFO: Service for children and families where violence/trauma/abuse is present.
Care in Mind
P: 9088 4277
E: careinmind@nwmphn.org.au
W: https://nwmphn.org.au/health-systems-capacity-building/careinmind/
OTHER: 24/7 phone & web counselling support – 1300 096 269 or visit careinmind.com.au
INFO: Government initiative, no cost psychological services for low income earners who live in the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network. See website for details of services.
Catholic Care
A: East Melbourne, Footscray & Fitzroy.
P: 9287 5555
E: catholiccare@ccam.org.au
W: https://www.ccam.org.au/
INFO: Services for – individual, couples & family counselling, youth/students, refugees & asylum seekers.
CoHealth
P & E: see website
W: https://www.cohealth.org.au/health-services/counselling/counselling/
INFO: Community health organisation that provides low or no cost counselling depending on income.
Drummond Street Services
A: 100 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053 (main location). Also: Family & Community Space at 253 Hoddle Street, Collingwood VIC 3066.
P: 9663 6733
E: enquiries@ds.org.au
W: https://ds.org.au
INFO: Services for – LGBTQI clients, Refugees & Migrants, AOD, Youth, Families, Couples, Parenting, Child Sexual Abuse/Royal Commission Support.
Employee Assistance Program – seek details through your workplace/HR department.
W: http://www.eapaa.org.au/
Headspace Collingwood
A: Level 1, Victoria Park (Social Club Building), Cnr Lulie & Abbott Streets, Abbotsford VIC 3067.
P: 9417 0150
E: reception@collingwoodheadspace.org.au
W: https://www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/headspace-collingwood/
INFO: Youth only ages 12-25. Headspace offers a range of services including a GP, youth programs as well as sexual health, drug and alcohol services.
Melbourne Affordable Psychology
A: 412 Mt Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale VIC 3032
P: 0455 850 064
W: https://melbourneaffordablepsychology.org.au
INFO: Sessions are conducted by supervised provisional psychologists & placement students.
Mingary Counselling Services
A: 120 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
P: 9654 5120
W: https://www.mingarycounselling.com.au
INFO: Low cost counselling service available to all members of the community
Relationships Victoria
A: Kew & Melbourne CBD.
P: 1300 364 277
W: http://www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/
INFO: Community-based organisation that provides a range of services, including relationship counselling, multicultural program and family violence services.
Uniting Care – Prahran Mission
A: Inner East Melb: Kew East / Mt Waverley. Bayside: Armadale, Cheltenham, Prahran
P: Inner East Melb: 1300 785 358. Bayside: 1300 379 462
W: http://www.prahranmission.org.au/ourservices/#page_2
INFO: Government funded, no cost mental health services for people who are severely impacted by mental health concerns.
Low cost university counselling clinics
NOTE: These university clinics are open to all clients. You do not have to be a student at these institutions. Sessions are conducted by postgraduate psychology students under supervision.
ACU Psychology Clinic
A: The Daniel Mannix Building, Australian Catholic University, Level 5. 17 Young Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
P: 9953 3006
E: melbournepsychologyclinic@acu.edu.au
W: https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/facilities-and-services/psychology-clinics
ConnectGround (Gestalt Therapy Australia student clinic)
A: 622 Lygon Street, Carlton North VIC 3054
P: 03 9489 6300
W: https://www.connectground.com.au
La Trobe Psychology Clinic
A: George Singer Building, La Trobe University Bundoora Campus, Ground Floor, 1 Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora VIC 3083
P: (03) 9479 2150
W: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/
RMIT Psychology Clinic
A: Bundoora Campus: 30 Janefield Drive, Bundoora VIC 3083. Building 300, Level 3.
P: 9925 7666
W: https://www.rmit.edu.au/healthclinic/psychology-clinic
INFO: Clinicians are 5th and 6th year postgrad psychology interns
Swinburne Psychology Clinic
A: John St, Hawthorn VIC 3122. Level 4, George Swinburne Building.
P: 9214 8653
E: psychclinic@swin.edu.au
W: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/centres-groups-clinics/swinburne-psychology-clinic/
University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic
A: Level 7, 14-20 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051.
P: 9035 5180
E: clinic-psych@unimelb.edu.au
W: https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/psychology-clinic
Victoria University Psychology Clinic
A: Enter via 47 Paisley Street, Footscray VIC 3011.
P: 9919 2353
E: vupc@vu.edu.au
W: https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/facilities-services/our-services/health-clinics/psychology-clinic
Perinatal mental health services
Birth for Human Kind
P: 1300 073 086
W: https://birthforhumankind.org/
E: info@birthforhumankind.org
INFO: No cost support during pregnancy, birth and early parenting
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)
P: 1300 726 306 (National Helpline: 9am-7:30pm AEST)
W: https://panda.org.au/
E: support@panda.org.au
INFO: Assists women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety & depression during pregnancy and early parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only national helpline for individuals and their families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression.
LGBTQIA+ services
Drummond Street Services – Queer Space
P: 9663 6733
W: https://ds.org.au/our-services/queerspace/
Northside Clinic
P: 9485 7700
W: https://northsideclinic.net.au/
QLife / Switchboard Victoria
P: 1800 184 527
Web chat: https://qlife.org.au
INFO: National LGBTQI peer counselling and referral webchat & phone service (counsellors identify as LGBTQI).
Family violence and sexual assault services
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
P: 9635 3610 (24/7 counselling helpline)
W: http://www.casahouse.com.au/
Safe Steps Family Violence (formerly Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service)
P: 1800 015 188 (24/7 helpline)
W: https://www.safesteps.org.au/
WIRE (Women Information Referral Exchange)
P: 1300 134 130
W: https://www.wire.org.au/
Women’s Health West
P: 9689 9588
W: https://whwest.org.au/
1800Respect
P: 1800 737 732
W: https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Eating disorder services
ACU Clinic for Healthy Eating & Weight (CHEW)
A: The Daniel Mannix Building, Australian Catholic University, Level, 5, 17 Young Street, FitzroyVIC 3065
Contact the CHEW Clinic through the ACU Melbourne Psychology and Counselling Clinic.
P: 9953 3006
W: https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/facilities-and-services/psychology-clinics/melbourne-psychology-clinic
E: melbournepsychologyclinic@acu.edu.au
INFO: Services are provided by Master of Psychology students (interns) who practice under the supervision of experienced psychologists with relevant clinical experience. The clinic provides a range of evidence-based programs for treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating, emotional eating, obesity, weight and shape concerns, body image concerns and child feeding problems.
Body Image Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS)
P: 9231 5718 (Clinical Intake Service) or 9231 5700 (General Enquiries)
W: https://www.svhm.org.au/our-services/departments-and-services/b/body-image-eating-disorders-treatment-and-recovery-service-betrs
E: betrs@svha.org.au
INFO: Provides various outpatient and inpatient services to people over the age of 18 who think they may have an eating or body image problem.
The Butterfly Foundation
P: 1800 33 4673 (Phone and online: 8am—9pm/Mon-Fri AEST)
W: https://butterfly.org.au/
E: support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
INFO: Telephone and web-based counselling, information and support for people affected by eating disorders.
Substance-related services
Access Health & Community
A: Ashburton, Box Hill, Doncaster, Hawthorn, Richmond
P: 9810 3000
W: https://accesshc.org.au/services/alcohol-and-other-drugs-counselling-melbourne/
DirectLine
P: 1800 888 236
W: https://www.directline.org.au/
INFO: Provides 24/7 counselling, information and referral for AOD issues
Crisis and 24/7 phone and web counselling
Emergency Services: 000
Beyond Blue
P: 1300 22 4636
Web chat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
DirectLine
P: 1800 888 236
W: https://www.directline.org.au/
INFO: Provides 24/7 counselling, information and referral for AOD issues.
Kids Helpline
P: 1800 55 1800
Web chat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling
Lifeline
P: 13 11 14
Web chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Mensline
P: 1300 789 978
Web chat: https://mensline.org.au/
Psychiatric Triage – North West Mental Health Region
P: 1300 874 243
QLife / Switchboard Victoria
P: 1800 184 527
Web chat: https://qlife.org.au
INFO: National LGBTQI peer counselling and referral webchat & phone service (counsellors identify as LGBTQI). Available 3pm-midnight every day.
Suicideline (Victorian service)
P: 1300 651 251
Web chat: https://suicideline.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service (National Service)
P: 1300 659 467
Web chat: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
1800RESPECT
P: 1800 737 732
W: https://www.1800respect.org.au/
INFO: Telephone and online crisis and trauma counselling service to assist people experiencing the effects of sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
