The short answer is simple: you do not need a referral to see a counsellor in Australia if you are paying privately or using private health insurance, but you usually do need a referral and a mental health treatment plan if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for eligible psychological therapy.
That is where people get stuck. Counselling, psychology, psychiatry, and Medicare mental health services all sit in the same broad mental health system, but the costs and referral rules are different.
Medicare, Private Pay, and Referrals
You can self-refer and book directly with many mental health professionals. This can be helpful when you want support for stress, grief, anger, family issues, relationship concerns, anxiety, trauma, or feeling depressed.
A Medicare pathway is different. To claim Medicare rebates, eligible people usually need a mental health care plan, sometimes called a mental health plan, from a doctor, plus a referral to see an eligible psychologist, clinical psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or other eligible health professionals.
When You Do Not Need a Referral
You generally do not need a referral when you are:
Booking private counselling directly
Seeing a psychologist and paying the full fee yourself
Using private health insurance extras cover, if your fund includes counselling or psychology
Accessing some community mental health support
Contacting Medicare Mental Health services for guidance
At Monument Counselling, no referral is required. You can enquire directly, have a conversation, and decide whether counselling feels like the right fit.
When You Usually Need a Referral
You usually need a referral when you want to claim a Medicare rebate.
You may also need a referral to see a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess mental illness, provide medical treatment, and prescribe medication when needed.
Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan From Your GP
A mental health treatment plan is prepared by a doctor after a mental health assessment. It sets out your concerns, goals, treatment options, referral details, support services, and review plan.
Book a longer first appointment if you want to talk about mental health. A short appointment can feel rushed, especially if you need to explain symptoms, medication, risk, family pressure, work stress, or how things are affecting daily life.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
Bring a simple list of what has been happening.
Include how long it has been going on, what has changed, any previous mental illness or treatment, current medication, and whether there are any self harm, suicide, or safety concerns.
If you already want to see a specific psychologist, bring their name and contact details. You can also ask whether the referral can be written more generally while you choose the right psychologist.
What the Doctor Will Do
Your doctor will assess what is happening and decide whether a plan and referral are appropriate.
If you are eligible, the first referral usually covers up to six sessions. After those few sessions, your doctor can review progress and refer you for more, up to the yearly limit.
With your consent, your psychologist, social worker, counsellor, or other healthcare professionals may share updates with your doctor.
Finding Mental Health Services and Professionals
You have several ways to find mental health services.
The Australian Psychological Society directory can help you search for psychologists by location, area of interest, and availability. AHPRA can be used to check registration for psychologists and psychiatrists.
For counsellors, look for training, experience, fit, and membership with bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. Counsellors do not belong to one national regulating body in the same way psychologists do.
Medicare Mental Health can also help people in Australia find free or low-cost mental health services. Some centres offer walk-in support without a referral, diagnosis, appointment, or Medicare card.
If there is immediate danger, call 000. For crisis assistance, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14. Healthdirect, Beyond Blue, and NSW Health also have resources that can help you understand the next step.
Local and Online Options
In the Kilmore area, Monument Counselling provides support for adults, young people, children, and families, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, anger, and family concerns.
Sessions are available online and face to face. Monument also offers evening and Saturday appointments, which can make access easier around work, school, and family life.
Which Health Professional Should You See?
A counsellor helps you talk through concerns, build coping tools, process difficult experiences, and work toward practical goals. Counsellors focus on support rather than diagnosis.
A psychologist has completed university training and supervised experience. Psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions and provide structured therapy.
A clinical psychologist has advanced training in assessment and treatment for more complex mental health conditions.
An accredited mental health social worker can provide therapy for mental health conditions, often with a strong understanding of family, trauma, housing, work, and social factors.
A psychiatrist can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication.
Seeing a psychologist may suit you if you want Medicare rebates, structured assessment, or support for a diagnosed condition. Seeing a psychologist privately may also suit you if you do not want to start with a GP. A counsellor may suit you if you want practical, private support without GP paperwork.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Do you work with my concern?
What are the costs?
Do you offer online therapy or face to face sessions?
Can I use private health insurance?
Do I need a referral for this appointment?
Can I claim Medicare rebates with this service?
Medicare Rebate Amounts and Medicare Rebates Explained
Under Better Access, eligible people can claim Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group therapy sessions each calendar year.
A Medicare rebate is not always the full fee. The provider sets their own costs, and Medicare pays a set amount back to you. You may still pay a gap fee.
Current Medicare rebate examples include $98.95 for an eligible psychologist under item 80110 and $145.25 for a clinical psychologist under item 80010. Rebate amounts can change, so check the Medicare Benefits Schedule or ask the provider before booking.
Is Counselling Covered by Medicare in Australia?
Counselling with a counsellor is generally not covered by Medicare.
This is the part people often miss. You can usually see a counsellor without a referral, but that does not mean Medicare will pay for it.
Some private health insurance funds may cover counselling under extras cover. Ask your fund before booking. Monument Counselling works with a number of private health insurance providers, which may make access easier for some clients.
How to Claim Medicare Rebates
To claim Medicare rebates, you generally need a valid Medicare card, a plan, a referral, an eligible provider, and your Medicare bank account details set up through myGov or Medicare.
Some clinics process the Medicare rebate on the spot. Others give you an invoice to claim later.
Preparing for Your First Counselling Session
Your first session is usually about understanding what has brought you in, what you want support with, and what would make counselling useful.
You do not need to explain your whole life at once. A good counsellor will help pace the conversation.
What to Ask in the First Session
How do you usually work with this kind of concern?
How many counselling sessions do people usually start with?
What happens if I do not feel comfortable?
How is my information kept private?
Can I involve support people if needed?
Confidentiality should be explained clearly. Most counselling is private, but there are exceptions where safety, child protection, self harm, suicide risk, or serious harm to another person may require action.
Other Mental Health Support Without a GP Referral
If you do not want to see a GP first, you still have options.
You can book a counsellor directly. You can search for a psychologist and pay privately. You can contact Medicare Mental Health. You can look at community mental health services, youth services, school wellbeing teams, employee assistance programs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, and family support programs.
For young people, headspace may be an option. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally safe care may be available through local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
Acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed counselling, family therapy, grief support, and parenting support may all be useful depending on what is happening.
Step-by-Step Referral and Booking Checklist
Step 1: Decide Whether Medicare Matters
If you want a Medicare rebate, start with your GP. If you are happy to pay privately or use private health insurance, you may be able to book directly.
Step 2: Book a Longer GP Appointment
Ask for a mental health appointment, not a quick appointment.
Step 3: Get the Plan and Referral
If eligible, ask how many sessions are included and whether the referral names a specific psychologist or can be used with another suitable provider.
Step 4: Choose a Suitable Provider
Filter by concern, costs, location, online access, experience, and fit.
Step 5: Book Your First Session
Send the referral before the appointment if you are claiming Medicare. If you are booking Monument Counselling privately, you can enquire directly without GP paperwork.
Common Questions About Referrals
How Can I Get 10 Free Therapy Sessions in Australia?
People often say “10 free sessions,” but that is not quite right. Eligible people can access up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual sessions per calendar year with a valid plan and referral.
They are only free if the provider bulk bills or you use another free service.
What Are Five Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness?
Early warning signs can include ongoing low mood, withdrawal from people, major sleep or appetite changes, difficulty functioning at work or school, and increased worry, anger, or distress.
These signs do not always mean a mental illness, but they are good reasons to talk to a doctor, counsellor, psychologist, or social worker.
How Do I Get a Referral to a Counsellor?
You do not usually need one. You can contact a counsellor directly.
If another organisation asks for a referral, your GP, school, employer assistance program, insurer, or another treating professional may be able to refer you.
Can I Choose Who I See?
Yes. You can ask your GP for a referral to a specific psychologist or another eligible provider. You can also ask whether the referral can be addressed more generally if you are still deciding.
Next Steps
If you want Medicare rebates, book a longer appointment with your doctor and ask about a plan.
If you want practical counselling without waiting for GP paperwork, contact Monument Counselling directly. The first step is simply making an enquiry, having a conversation, and deciding what support feels right.