Let’s talk about it!

Let's talk about the government cap of 10 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions for Australians. Psychologists and their patients know there are millions of people living with mental health issues, who need more care and cannot improve with a 10-session limit.

People with complex mental health conditions and people who have survived trauma are among those most likely to need more than 10 sessions to improve.

Since Medicare-rebated psychology sessions were cut from 20 to 10 by the Federal Government in 2022, peak psychology bodies and consumer organisations have consistently advocated for more care for those who need it.

Consumer advocacy organisation Lived Experience Australia, the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, Australian Psychological Society, Institute of Clinical Psychologists, Association of Counselling Psychologists, Australian Association of Psychologists Inc, Institute of Private Practicing Psychologists, Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association, and the Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association are among those calling for more Medicare-rebated sessions for those who need it.

Each year, millions of people reach breaking point in the second half of the year as their 10 Medicare-rebated sessions are used. Most people cannot afford to continue care as a full fee-paying patient.

It is time for government to increase the 10-session Medicare cap and let Australians access the psychology care they need.  

A COALITION OF EXPERTS AND PATIENTS

Mental health patients and psychology organisations have formed a united coalition of nine peak agencies and begun a petition to address the ongoing shortfall in Medicare-rebated psychology care available to Australians. The agencies, who hope other professionals will join them, say the 10-session Medicare rebate cap on psychology care robs people of essential care. The coalition is calling for more Medicare-rebated psychology sessions for those who need it.

Psychology Coalition Members 

• Consumer advocacy organisation Lived Experience Australia
• Australian Clinical Psychology Association
• Australian Psychological Society 
• Institute of Clinical Psychologists
• Association of Counselling Psychologists
• Australian Association of Psychologists Inc 
• Institute of Private Practicing Psychologists
• Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association
• Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association