STANDARD CLINIC CONSULTATIONS
The recommended fee for a standard psychological consultation of 50 – 60 minutes is $260 as advised by the Australian Psychological Society.
Growing Minds Psychology Services has generated fee schedules at a considerably reduced rate than recommended fees for clinical intervention. This is due to our commitment to supporting children, young people and their families within the community services sector.
Our fee for a standard psychological consultation with a Clinical Psychologist is $225.00
MEDICARE REBATES
Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This scheme provides considerable assistance to people living with mental health problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare.
‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from:
- Anxiety disorders
- Adjustment disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
To access Medicare rebates the client will need to be referred by a GP in the context of a Mental Health Treatment Plan, or by a medical specialist such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician. For each calendar year an individual is eligible for 6 sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan prescribed by a GP and when required a further 4 sessions pending review by the GP.
The Medicare rebate for a standard consultation with a Clinical Psychologist is $131.65
BULK BILLING
We do not currently offer bulk-billing appointments.
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
Rebates may be available through private health care funds, depending on the fund and level of cover that is held. However, private health insurance ancillary cover cannot be used to top up the Medicare rebates. You need to decide if you will use Medicare or your private health insurance ancillary cover to pay for psychological services you receive. You can either access rebates from Medicare by following the claiming process or claim where available on your insurer’s ancillary benefits.
Families with Private Health Insurance should check with their health fund in relation to referral criteria and eligibility for health insurance rebates.
Payment of Fees
Full fees are payable at the time of the appointment. Payment can be made by VISA/Mastercard/EFTPOS or Direct Deposit and rebates from Medicare can then be claimed if eligible.
If the counselling or support service is being paid by a third party, funding must be authorised prior to services commencing. Invoices will then be sent to the government or non-government organisation for payment within 7 days.
Some clinical services do not attract GST, for example clinical treatment sessions, where other services do attract GST. Please note that all services being paid by a third party do attract GST.
Cancellation Policy
Growing Minds Psychology Services understands that at times circumstances can change and you may not be able to attend your appointment. However, when we are not appropriately advised of this, not only does the client miss out on valuable intervention, but other clients who could have utilised that appointment time also miss out. This also causes a loss of time and efficiency to the psychologist who has already prepared for the session.
In order to ensure that we are being mindful to all involved, Growing Minds Psychology Services requires at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel an appointment without incurring a cancellation fee.
In the event that that less than 24 hours’ notice is provided, a cancellation fee may apply unless there are extenuating circumstances. Please note that Medicare and Private Health Funds do not rebate for missed and cancelled appointments.