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Mental Health Care Plans

A Mental Health Care Plan (often called an MHCP) is a support plan developed by a General Practitioner (GP) for someone experiencing mental health challenges. It outlines a personalised approach to managing and improving your mental health and provides access to subsidised psychological services through Medicare.

Who is it for?

Anyone with a mental health condition, whether it's temporary or ongoing, may be eligible. This includes (but isn’t limited to):

Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
ADHD or Autism (if mental health support is needed)

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to get a plan — just talk to your GP about your mental health concerns.

What Does a Mental Health Care Plan Include?

A typical Mental Health Care Plan might cover:

A summary of your mental health history and current symptoms
Your goals for treatment
Recommended support services (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist)
Referral to a mental health professional
Strategies for managing your mental health day-to-day

What Does it Provide Access To?

Under a Mental Health Care Plan, you're eligible for:

Up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist (Medicare-subsidised)
Up to 10 group therapy sessions (if appropriate)
The possibility of a review and additional support if needed

You usually start with 6 sessions, and then return to your GP for a review to access the remaining 4 sessions.

How to Get a Mental Health Care Plan

Book a long appointment with your GP (let the clinic know it's for a Mental Health Care Plan).
Discuss your mental health—your GP will ask questions and assess your situation.
If appropriate, your GP will create the plan and refer you to a mental health professional.
You can then book appointments with the recommended professional, and Medicare will cover part of the cost.

Do I Need a Diagnosis to Get One?

No — you just need to be experiencing mental health difficulties that are affecting your well-being or daily life. GPs use their clinical judgement to decide if a Mental Health Care Plan is suitable.

Costs and Rebates

Medicare covers part of the fee for each session. Depending on the provider’s fee structure, there may still be a "gap fee" (an out-of-pocket cost).