How to get a referral to a psychologist – and what to expect when you start
Taking the step to see a psychologist can feel daunting, especially if you are unsure about how the referral process works or what your first appointment might look like. The good news is that there are several different pathways to access psychology services in Australia, and understanding these can help you feel more confident in getting started.
How to get a referral to a psychologist
Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
The most common way Australians access a psychologist is through the Better Access initiative under Medicare. Psychologists are one of several groups of mental health professionals who can provide therapy under Better Access - others include social workers and occupational therapists. To begin this process, you will need to book a long consultation with your GP (typically at least 20-30 minutes). This option is not always available when booking online using services such as HotDoc - you can always phone the GP clinic to book directly, ensuring the administration staff member who answers is aware that you will need more than a standard length GP consultation. Once in, see your GP who will talk with you about how you are feeling, make an assessment, and, if appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
An MHTP usually provides an initial referral for up to 6 sessions. If you have a particular psychologist or practice you would like to be referred to, you can nominate them in conversation with your GP and they will be named on the MHTP. Otherwise, your GP is well placed to discuss different options with you for accessing the right care.
After 6 sessions, you return to your GP for a review. If further support is needed, you can be referred for up to 4 more sessions in that calendar year.
Medicare rebates can cover a significant portion of the fee, although the out-of-pocket cost varies depending on the practice.
Something to be aware of with the upcoming changes to Better Access (effective from 1st November 2025): the GP who prepares your Mental Health Treatment Plan must be your ‘usual’ treating medical practitioner. This is worth knowing when considering accessing online services for which you may not be able to see the same GP every time. For Better Access, it is intended that you have a primary care provider (GP) as a regular point of contact. Paediatricians and psychiatrists can also complete MHTPs and refer to psychologists under the Better Access initiative.
Private health insurance
Some people choose to access psychology through their private health extras cover. Different insurers offer different levels of support – some cover part of the cost for each session, while others provide an annual limit. Check directly with your fund to see what is included.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
If you work for a larger organisation, you may have access to an Employee Assistance Program. EAPs provide free, confidential counselling – usually around 6 sessions per year. As far as possible, your confidentiality is maintained if accessing a psychologist through an EAP as with any other referral; employers have contractual arrangements with EAPs to provide services for their staff, but employers do not have access to the names of people who choose to access EAPs. Another thing to be aware of: immediate family (partner/spouse and children) of employees may also have access to EAP services at no extra cost.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) referrals
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for psychology sessions funded by the DVA. Referral usually comes via your GP, and the level of cover depends on your DVA card type. For example, Gold Cards typically provide broad coverage, while White Cards may cover service-related conditions.
Self-Referral
It is important to know that you can often book directly with a psychologist without a GP referral. Self-referral may suit people who:
Want to access support quickly without waiting for a GP appointment.
Prefer not to involve Medicare or insurance.
Are seeking support for issues like personal growth, performance, or relationships.
Choosing the right psychologist
Once you know how you can access psychology, the next step is choosing who to see. This can feel overwhelming, particularly in places like Perth, where there are many options, compared with regional WA, where psychologists are fewer and waitlists can be long.
Here are some tips:
Explore different practices – many list their areas of interest.
Use trusted directories like the Australia Psychological Society’s Find a Psychologist, HealthDirect, or PsychologyToday to search by location or specialty.
Ask about wait times. In Perth you may find more availability, but in regional towns, delays are more common. This is where telehealth psychology can be a great option (we will have a separate post on telehealth soon).
You can check a psychologist’s registration and endorsements online. The Psychology Board of Australia’s public register lets you see if a psychologist has a particular area of practice endorsement (e.g. clinical, educational and developmental, forensic) that indicates they have undertaken additional study and training in that area. The public register also provides other information, like if the psychologist is provisionally registered (still undertaking a supervised period of practice following completion of university) or has had conditions applied to their registration by the Board.
Getting positive change
Research shows that factors like the therapist’s years of experience or therapy type are not the strongest predictors of a successful outcome. What matters most are:
Therapeutic alliance – feeling heard, respected, and understood by your psychologist.
Motivation and engagement – being open and willing to work on change.
Collaboration on goals – agreeing together on what you want to achieve.
Consistency – attending regularly and allowing time for progress to happen.
If you feel things are not working, it is alright to speak up or explore other options. Your psychologist can adjust their approach or, if needed, help you find another clinician who may be a better fit. Finding the right fit is key.
Final thoughts
It is true that accessing a psychologist can sometimes be challenging – waitlists can be long, particularly outside of metropolitan areas like Perth – but support is available. Many mental health professionals like psychologists, counsellors, and mental health social workers offer telehealth service delivery now, so more people than ever can connect with the help they need.
If you are considering seeing a psychologist, know that taking the first step is already progress. Support is there, and therapy can be a valuable opportunity to better understand yourself and move towards positive change.
