Fees, Medicare Rebates and Funding Options
How much does seeing a psychologist cost? At Perfectly Aligned Psychology in Balgownie, a standard 50-minute session costs [$ session fee to confirm], and with a Mental Health Treatment Plan you pay [$ gap to confirm] after the Medicare rebate. This page lists every fee in full, with no hidden extras.
Cost is one of the biggest reasons people put off getting help. Many assume therapy is out of reach, or feel unsure about asking what it will cost. Others have been caught out by unexpected fees elsewhere and want certainty before they book.
We think you should know exactly what you will pay before you arrive. That is why this page sets out our session fees, the Medicare refund, the gap you pay, our position on bulk billing, and every other funding pathway we accept.
Several funding options can reduce or remove the cost. A GP plan brings the price down through Medicare. An approved workers compensation claim covers sessions in full. Extras cover through a health fund may help too. Each works differently, and some cannot be combined.
If you are unsure which option applies to you, call us before booking and we will talk it through. There is no charge for that conversation. You can also read about the full range of care on the Perfectly Aligned Psychology home page.
How much does seeing a psychologist cost in Australia?
Seeing a psychologist in Australia usually costs somewhere between about $200 and $330 or more for a standard session, before any rebate. The Australian Psychological Society suggests $330 for a 46 to 60-minute consultation in 2026 to 2027. A GP treatment plan then allows Medicare to refund part of that fee.
Psychologists set their own fees, so prices vary between practices, cities and types of registration. Clinical psychologists often charge more than registered psychologists, reflecting their additional training.
The APS suggested fee is a guide rather than a rule. Many private practices charge less than the suggested amount, and some charge more.
What you actually pay depends on three things: the practice's fee, the funding you have access to, and how many sessions you need. For many people, the out-of-pocket amount after a Medicare rebate is the figure that matters.
Our fees are set below the APS suggested amount [confirm], because we want therapy to be within reach for more families in the Illawarra.
It is worth asking any practice what the gap will be before your first appointment. A clear answer is a good sign.
It also helps to think about the total cost of a course of therapy, not just one session. Many people with a single, focused concern see meaningful change within about six to ten sessions. Longer-standing difficulties, complex trauma or several overlapping concerns often need more. We talk about likely session numbers at the first appointment and review them as you go, so you can plan your budget.
What are your session fees?
A standard 50-minute session costs [$ session fee to confirm], whether in person or by telehealth. The first session is the same price [confirm], and longer EMDR or trauma sessions are charged at [$ extended fee to confirm]. Child and adolescent sessions, including parent sessions, are charged at the standard rate.
| Service | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial session, adult | 50 minutes | [$ fee to confirm] |
| Standard session, adult | 50 minutes | [$ fee to confirm] |
| Extended EMDR or trauma session | 80 to 90 minutes | [$ fee to confirm] |
| Child or teen session | 50 minutes | [$ fee to confirm] |
| Parent session | 50 minutes | [$ fee to confirm] |
| Telehealth session | 50 minutes | Same as in person |
| Letter or short report | As needed | [$ fee to confirm] |
Longer sessions are sometimes used for EMDR reprocessing, because stopping partway through a memory is not ideal. They are always discussed and agreed with you in advance.
Letters and reports, such as for a school, employer or specialist, are charged separately if they take more than a few minutes to prepare. We will quote the cost before writing anything.
Phone calls between sessions, such as a short check-in about a crisis plan, are not usually charged. Longer calls with other professionals on your behalf may be, and we will always ask first.
Fees are reviewed once a year, usually in July. Existing clients are given at least [notice period to confirm] notice of any change.
How do Medicare rebates reduce what you pay?
When you hold a current GP treatment plan, Medicare returns [$ rebate to confirm] on every 50-minute session at our practice, for up to ten sessions a calendar year. That leaves an out-of-pocket gap of [$ gap to confirm] per session. The rebate is processed on the spot, so you only wait a day or two for it.
Medicare sets two rates for full-length sessions. Registered psychologists attract $101.55, while clinical psychologists attract $149.05. Our rebate therefore depends on [Psychologist name]'s registration, which is [registration type to confirm].
| Rebate and gap | Registered psychologist | Clinical psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare rebate, 50 minutes or more | $101.55 | $149.05 |
| Our session fee | [$ fee to confirm] | Not applicable |
| Your gap after rebate | [$ gap to confirm] | Not applicable |
To use the rebate, your GP writes the plan and a referral letter, which you send to us before your first session. Not sure how to raise it with your GP? Read how the Mental Health Treatment Plan works.
For session limits, referral reviews and the items that apply, read Medicare rebates for psychology.
Do you bulk bill?
[Confirm the practice's bulk billing policy here, for example: standard sessions are not bulk billed, and a small number of reduced-fee places are held for concession card holders.] We know that is not the answer some people hope for, so we explain the reasons and the alternatives openly.
Bulk billing means the psychologist accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment, so you pay nothing. Very few private psychologists bulk bill, because the rebate covers well under half the cost of running a session, including room hire, supervision, training, insurance, notes and reports.
If cost is a barrier, there are other options. Some GP practices and community services offer free or low-cost counselling. Primary Health Networks fund mental health services for people on low incomes, and headspace centres offer free or low-cost support for young people aged 12 to 25.
Some people also space their sessions out to manage cost, moving from weekly to fortnightly or monthly once the early work is done. This can be a sensible way to stretch your ten rebated sessions across the year, and we can help you plan when to do it.
Crisis support is always free. Lifeline is available on 13 11 14, and the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, at any hour.
Our page on bulk billing and low-cost psychology options lists local services in the Illawarra and explains who is eligible for each.
How are workers compensation sessions funded?
When your NSW workers compensation claim is approved, the insurer pays us directly and you pay nothing at all. SIRA caps what psychologists can charge: since 1 February 2026, an initial consultation is billed at up to $284.40 per hour, and each subsequent session at up to $237.60 per hour.
To use this pathway, you need an accepted or provisional claim, a claim number, and a referral from your nominated treating doctor. We then send a treatment request to the insurer for approval.
No gap is charged under an approved claim. The law does not allow us to ask you to top up the SIRA rate with a gap payment.
Where a claim is refused or still waiting on approval, we will discuss other options before any sessions are charged to you.
Our page on workers compensation and SIRA-funded psychology explains eligibility, what to bring and how the insurer is involved.
Can I use private health insurance?
Yes, if your policy includes psychology under extras cover. Your fund pays a rebate that depends on your level of cover and annual limits. You cannot claim private health insurance and Medicare for the same session, so most people use whichever gives the larger rebate.
Extras cover for psychology varies widely. Some policies pay a set amount per session, others a percentage, and most have an annual limit that is shared with other services.
Private health can be useful when you do not have a GP plan, when you have used your ten Medicare sessions for the year, or for services Medicare does not cover, such as couples sessions or some assessments.
It helps to check three things: whether psychology is included at all, how much the fund pays per session, and how much of your annual limit is left. Some funds also have waiting periods for new members, often around two months for extras.
To check your cover, call your fund with our provider number and the item code for a standard session. We will give you both on request.
We can process claims on the spot through HICAPS [confirm], or give you a receipt to claim through your fund's app.
Details of which funds and policies typically include psychology are on our private health insurance page.
Can NDIS funding be used?
[NDIS position to confirm.] Where NDIS participants are plan-managed or self-managed, they can often use their plan to pay for psychology sessions that relate to their goals. Agency-managed participants can only use NDIS-registered providers, so check how your plan is managed before booking.
Psychology under the NDIS is usually funded through the capacity building budget, for example under improved daily living or improved relationships, depending on the goals in your plan. Sessions must relate to the impact of your disability, rather than general mental health care, which Medicare is designed to cover.
If you receive NDIS funding, bring your plan details and your plan manager's contact to the first session, and we will confirm whether and how the sessions can be claimed.
How much do assessments cost?
Assessment fees depend on the type: an ADHD assessment is [$ fee to confirm], an autism assessment is [$ fee to confirm], a cognitive and educational assessment is [$ fee to confirm], and a combined ADHD and autism assessment is [$ fee to confirm]. Each fee includes interviews, testing, the written report and a feedback session.
| Assessment | Fee | Medicare |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD | [$ fee to confirm] | No rebate |
| Autism | [$ fee to confirm] | Up to four sessions rebated with a specialist referral, under 25 |
| Cognitive and educational | [$ fee to confirm] | No rebate |
| Combined ADHD and autism | [$ fee to confirm] | Autism sessions only, as above |
Assessments take many hours beyond the face-to-face appointments, including scoring, interpretation and report writing, which is why they cost more than a therapy session.
We take a deposit when you book, and you settle the balance once testing is finished, ahead of receiving the report. It is worth asking your health fund whether your extras policy includes psychological assessment.
Each assessment type is described step by step in our child and teen assessment services.
Do telehealth sessions cost the same?
Yes. Online sessions are priced exactly like appointments in the room, and Medicare pays the same rebate for video or phone sessions as it does for face-to-face ones. Workers compensation and private health cover also apply to telehealth in the same way.
The only difference is practical. Payment is taken by card over the phone or through a secure payment link after the session, and the Medicare rebate is processed straight away.
Telehealth can also reduce the hidden costs of therapy, such as time off work, fuel, parking and childcare. For some families, that makes regular sessions far more affordable than the fee alone suggests.
You must be in Australia at the time of a telehealth session to claim a Medicare rebate. Sessions from overseas are charged at the private fee.
For item numbers and rules specific to online sessions, read Medicare rebates for telehealth psychology.
What are your cancellation and payment policies?
Please give at least [cancellation notice to confirm] notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged at [late fee to confirm], which cannot be claimed from Medicare. Payment is due on the day, by card, and the Medicare rebate is processed at the same time.
We understand that life is unpredictable. If you are unwell, have an emergency or a sick child, call us as early as you can and we will do our best to be flexible.
Appointments are held just for you, and a late cancellation usually means another person on the waitlist missed out on a session.
We accept debit and credit cards [confirm payment methods]. We do not accept cash [confirm].
Invoices and receipts are emailed after each session, showing the item number, fee and any rebate processed. Keep these for tax time or if you need to claim through your health fund later.
If you are experiencing financial hardship during treatment, please talk to us. We would rather work something out than have you stop therapy suddenly.
How do I book an appointment?
Use the online booking page or phone 0435 165 763. Tell us which funding you plan to use, whether that is a Mental Health Treatment Plan, workers compensation, private health or private fees, and we will confirm your out-of-pocket cost before the first session.
If you have a GP plan, send the referral letter before your appointment so the rebate can be processed on the day.
For workers compensation, include your claim number and case manager's details. For private health, have your membership card handy. If you are paying privately with no rebate, you do not need anything extra.
If anything about the cost is unclear, ask. We would much rather answer a question about fees at the start than have money worries get in the way of the work you came to do.
Forms, consent and your first visit are all covered in the guide for new clients.
Fee questions
How much will I pay after the Medicare rebate?
Using a GP treatment plan, you pay [$ gap to confirm] per standard session after the Medicare rebate of [$ rebate to confirm]. You pay the full fee on the day, and the rebate is processed electronically and reaches your nominated bank account soon after, often the next business day.
Do you bulk bill?
[Confirm bulk billing policy.] Very few private psychologists bulk bill, because the Medicare rebate covers only part of the cost of each session. If cost is a barrier, ask us about reduced-fee places and see our page on low-cost options in the Illawarra.
Is the first session more expensive?
[Confirm.] At our practice, the first session is charged at [$ fee to confirm], the same as a standard session. It usually runs for about 50 minutes and covers your history, current concerns and goals. Medicare rebates apply to the first session if you have a plan.
Can I claim on private health and Medicare?
Not for the same session. You can claim either a Medicare rebate or a private health rebate for each session, but not both. Many people use Medicare first, then private health once their ten Medicare sessions for the year are used, or for services Medicare does not cover.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give at least [cancellation notice to confirm] notice to cancel or change an appointment. Late cancellations and missed sessions are charged at [late fee to confirm], and Medicare does not rebate them. If illness or an emergency gets in the way, call us and we will be as flexible as we can.
Know your cost before you come
Call us with your funding details and we will confirm exactly what you will pay.