In brief. In September 2026 a registered psychologist in Australia typically charges $220 to $255 a session, a clinical psychologist $250 to $285. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare returns $101.55 or $149.05 respectively for up to ten sessions a calendar year, leaving a gap of roughly $100 to $150. Counsellors charge less ($120 to $160) but attract no rebate. These figures come from our own live sample of published fees, the APS schedule and MBS Online.
What psychologists charge
| Practitioner | Typical fee (50 min) | Range seen | Medicare rebate with a plan | Typical gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $260 | $250 to $285 (up to $340) | $149.05 | $100 to $135 |
| Registered psychologist | $235 | $220 to $255 (up to $330) | $101.55 | $120 to $155 |
| Mental health social worker | $180 | $150 to $200 | $89.50 | $60 to $110 |
| Provisional psychologist | $175 | $105 to $230 | none | full fee |
| Counsellor or psychotherapist | $140 to $170 | $90 to $220 | none | full fee |
Fees are medians from our September 2026 sample of published fees across five capital cities, cross-checked against a separate 375-practitioner dataset (average $237, median $245). The Australian Psychological Society's suggested fee for 2026-27 is $330; most practitioners charge well below it.
The Medicare rebate
Under Better Access, a GP writes a Mental Health Treatment Plan (items 2715 or 2717) and refers you. You can then claim up to ten individual sessions a calendar year: $101.55 with a registered psychologist (item 80110, or 91166 by video), $149.05 with a clinical psychologist (80010 / 91167), $89.50 with a mental health social worker or occupational therapist (80135 / 80160), at rates current from 1 July 2026. The first six are approved on the initial plan; your GP reviews before sessions seven to ten. See Medicare rebates explained.
Two questions to start
Take the full self-testWHO adult ADHD screener. Scored on your device. A screen is not a diagnosis.
Gap fees by city
Gaps are highest in inner Sydney and Melbourne and lowest in regional areas and through telehealth practices. In our Sydney sample, general psychologists averaged $203 to $249 by region and clinical psychologists $255 to $282. Brisbane and Adelaide medians were around $230 to $253. Telehealth-only practices often charge less: some online providers list general psychologists at $137 to $228.
Bulk billing and concessions
Bulk billing (no gap) is uncommon in private psychology: fewer than one in ten practitioners in our sample. Some telehealth services bulk-bill eligible Medicare card holders for the ten plan sessions. Around a third of practitioners offer a concession rate for students, pensioners or healthcare card holders; it is always worth asking.
When Medicare does not apply
- Counsellors, psychotherapists and coaches are not Medicare-eligible regardless of qualification.
- Sessions beyond ten in a calendar year are full fee.
- ADHD and autism assessments are not covered by Better Access; see ADHD assessment cost and autism assessment cost.
- Couples sessions are not rebated.
Private health insurance
Extras cover typically returns $40 to $100 a session with a recognised psychologist, up to an annual limit of a few hundred dollars, and cannot be combined with Medicare for the same session. Some funds now recognise Level 2 ACA and PACFA counsellors. Check your policy.
Keeping costs down
- Get the plan before the first session so every session is rebated.
- Ask about the fee and the gap before booking; practitioners are used to the question.
- Consider a mental health social worker: similar therapy, lower fee, rebate applies.
- Telehealth widens the choice to lower-fee practitioners anywhere in Australia.
- Counsellors and coaches for support that does not need a psychologist, at $120 to $170 with no plan required.
What Inner Help does
Our finder shows published fees where practitioners have claimed their listing, and filters for Medicare, bulk billing and concession. Verified Inner Help practitioners publish their fee and what you pay after the rebate.
Get matched to a therapist.
A short questionnaire, then a practitioner who understands neurodivergence. Per session with your rebate lodged, or a weekly plan.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a clinical psychologist cost more?
Clinical psychologists hold an additional endorsement after further postgraduate training, and Medicare rebates their sessions at a higher rate. Whether the extra fee is worth it depends on the problem; for many concerns a registered psychologist is equally effective.
How much is the gap after Medicare?
Typically $100 to $155 with a psychologist in a capital city, less regionally or by telehealth, and zero if the practitioner bulk-bills.
Can I see a psychologist without a GP referral?
Yes, at full fee. The referral and plan are only needed to claim the rebate.
Do fees include GST?
Psychological services are GST-free in Australia, so the published fee is what you pay.
Sources and review
Last updated 2026-09-14.