How Much Does Therapy Cost in Australia? (2025)
#Therapy
Updated on Jun 19, 2025
Curious about therapy costs in Australia for 2025? This guide breaks down prices by provider type and region, explains Medicare and insurance rebates, and shares practical ways to save—helping you access quality mental health care without the guesswork.
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Wondering how much therapy costs in Australia in 2025? This guide breaks down what you can expect to pay — from standard fees in the cities to low-cost options in rural areas — plus details on Medicare rebates, insurance benefits, provider types, and ways to make therapy more affordable.
- Quick Summary
- Therapy Costs by Provider Type
- Regional Cost Variations
- Medicare Coverage
- Private Health Insurance
- Affordable Therapy Options
- Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
- Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
- Sources
Quick Summary
- Standard therapy cost range: $180-$287.50 per session without rebates
- Medicare rebate: $88.25-$149.56 per session (10 sessions annually)
- Typical gap fee: $30-$115+ after Medicare rebate
- Private health insurance: $60-$115 rebate per session up to annual limits
- Telehealth discount: 10-15% less than in-person sessions
Therapy Costs by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Credentials | Average Cost Range | Medicare Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | FRANZCP | $400-$690 initial, $300-$518 follow-up | $228.20-$381.30 |
| Clinical Psychologist | MAPS (Clinical) | $220-$322 | $130.05 |
| Registered Psychologist | MAPS | $180-$253 | $88.25 |
| Mental Health Social Worker | AASW | $150-$230 | $88.25 |
| Mental Health Occupational Therapist | AHPRA registered | $150-$219 | $88.25 |
| Counsellor | ACA/PACFA | $120-$207 | No rebate |
Regional Cost Variations
Major Cities (Higher Cost)
- Sydney Eastern Suburbs/North Shore: $200-$322 per session
- Melbourne Inner Suburbs: $190-$299 per session
- Brisbane CBD: $180-$276 per session
- Perth Metro: $180-$276 per session
- Canberra: $180-$287.50 per session
Regional Centres
- Newcastle/Wollongong: $160-$253 per session
- Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast: $160-$253 per session
- Adelaide: $160-$253 per session
- Hobart: $150-$241.10 per session
- Darwin: $170-$264.50 per session
Rural/Remote Areas
- Regional towns: $140-$230 per session
- Rural areas: $130-$218.50 per session
- Remote areas: Limited in-person availability, telehealth common
- Telehealth rates: $130-$253 per session
- Bulk-billing: More common in rural/underserved areas
Medicare Coverage
Mental Health Treatment Plan
- GP consultation: Bulk-billed or $40-$90 gap fee
- MHTP coverage: 10 individual sessions per calendar year
- Group sessions: 10 group therapy sessions per year
- Referral requirement: GP referral needed for Medicare rebate
- Rebate processing: Immediate at clinics with Medicare Online claiming
Medicare Rebate Amounts (2025)
- Clinical psychologist: $130.05 per standard session
- Registered psychologist: $88.25 per standard session
- Mental health social worker: $88.25 per standard session
- Occupational therapist: $88.25 per standard session
- Psychiatrist: Higher rebates, varies by consultation type
Gap Fees
- Clinical psychologists: Typically $70-$172.50 gap per session
- Registered psychologists: Typically $30-$149.50 gap per session
- Bulk-billing providers: No gap (limited availability)
- University clinics: Often bulk-bill or charge minimal gap
- Community health: May bulk-bill for concession card holders
Private Health Insurance
Extras Cover Benefits
- Basic extras: $60-$80.50 per session, $300-$460 annual limit
- Mid-tier extras: $70-$103.50 per session, $400-$690 annual limit
- Top-tier extras: $80-$115 per session, $600-$920 annual limit
- Waiting periods: Typically 2 months for new members
- Cannot combine: Cannot use with Medicare rebate for same service
Major Australian Insurers
- Medibank: Various psychology coverage levels depending on extras package
- Bupa: Coverage for psychology services with annual limits
- HCF: Psychology benefits under most extras packages
- NIB: Coverage for psychology with waiting periods for new members
- Australian Unity: Various levels of mental health coverage
Insurance Considerations
- Provider recognition: Therapist must be recognised by your health fund
- Annual limits: Reset each calendar year
- Combined limits: Some funds group psychology with other therapies
- Couples/family policies: May have higher annual limits
Affordable Therapy Options
Bulk-Billing Providers
- Headspace: Free/low-cost for ages 12-25
- Community health centres: Various locations across Australia
- University psychology clinics: Services provided by supervised students
- Aboriginal Medical Services: For Indigenous Australians
- Primary Health Networks: Funded programs in some regions
Low-Cost Services
- University clinics: $25-$115 based on income
- Community health: Sliding scale fees based on income
- Non-profit organisations: Specialised services for specific needs
- Telehealth providers: Some offer reduced rates
- Group therapy: $40-$92 per session
Online Therapy Options
- Government services: Head to Health, MindSpot (free)
- Subscription services: $60-$103.50 per week
- Single session online: $120-$207 per session
- Text-based therapy: $50-$103.50 per week
- Mental health apps: Some free, others subscription-based
Factors Affecting Therapy Costs
Provider Factors
- Qualifications: Higher qualifications command higher fees
- Experience: Senior practitioners charge more
- Specialisations: Specialised treatment approaches cost more
- Practice setting: Private practice vs. clinic employment
Location Factors
- Rent costs: Higher in premium locations
- Local competition: Affects pricing in different regions
- Availability: Limited providers in rural areas affects pricing
- State differences: Slight variations between Australian states
Session Factors
- Session length: Standard 50-60 minutes vs. extended sessions
- Assessment sessions: Initial consultations often cost more
- Specialised services: Assessments, reports cost extra
- Cancellation policies: Late cancellation fees (typically 50-100%)
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
Medicare Strategies
- Renew MHTP: Ask GP about MHTP review for additional sessions
- Find bulk-billing: Ask GP for bulk-billing psychologist referrals
- Telehealth options: May have lower gap fees
- University clinics: Often bulk-bill with supervised trainees
Insurance Strategies
- Compare extras policies: Focus on psychology annual limits
- Check provider recognition: Ensure your therapist is covered
- Timing considerations: Use Medicare first, then insurance
- Family policies: May offer better value for mental health
Alternative Resources
- Employee Assistance Programs: Free confidential counselling (typically 3-6 sessions)
- Non-profits: Organisations like Relationships Australia offer sliding scale fees
- Crisis support: Lifeline, Beyond Blue offer free support
- Digital mental health: Government-funded online programs
Sources
- Australian Government Department of Health. (2025). "Better Access to Mental Health Care: Medicare Benefits Schedule."
- Australian Psychological Society. (2025). "National Schedule of Recommended Fees."
- Medicare Benefits Schedule. (2025). "MBS Online: Better Access Initiative."
- Private Healthcare Australia. (2024). "Annual Report on Psychology Services Coverage."
- Talked Australia. (2025). "Claiming therapy costs on private health insurance."
Note: Prices are current as of May 25, 2025 but may change. Always verify costs directly with providers before beginning treatment.
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Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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