Fees and Rebates

New Medicare Rebates

As announced by the Federal Government on October 9th 2006, Medicare will now provide rebates for patients with a Mental Health Disorder who are treated by a Registered Psychologist. The client must be referred by their GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician who must also review progress after 6 sessions with the psychologist. If referred by a GP, the doctor must complete a GP Mental Healthcare Plan, register it with Medicare and forward a copy to the psychologist.The new scheme commences on the 1st November 2006.

Clients will be allowed to claim a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year for individual counselling/therapy and 12 sessions of group therapy with a registered psychologist.

Rebates will be given by Medicare for both General Psychologists and Specialist Clinical Psychologists – please note these are not free as suggested by some doctors to their patients. Sessions with a Specialist Clinical Psychologist attract higher rebates to reflect more study completed by them – DSA Psychologists employ both general psychologists and specialist clinical psychologists and the rebate for both is substantial.  It is expected that clients pay for their session at the time of their appointment and go to Medicare to claim their rebate after the session.

More information about Medicare rebates, including a full list of Mental Health Disorders that are claimable under this scheme, is obtainable from the Consumer fact sheet on the APS website www.psychology.org.au or from our office (phone 98709069).

Clinical Fees and Rebates

DSA has for many years established a fee structure that is about two thirds of the rate recommended by the Australia Psychological Society. The current standard fee at DSA includes a discount for fees paid at the time of consultation. Clients with appropriate extras cover in private health insurance may obtain some rebates.  Clients will only be able to claim from either Medicare or their private health fund, not both.

Clients on Workcover, TAC, Veteran's Affairs or Victims of Crime benefits are seen at no cost to the client.  With the new Medicare Rebates being implemented, there will no longer be any reduction for Health Care Card or Pension Card holders.

Current fees are:

• Standard Consultation $160 (reducible to $140—see notes below)




Corporate Services Consulting Fees

Fees for corporate consulting including workshops and presentations are determined on an individual basis. Fees include travel within the Melbourne metropolitan area with an additional levy for appropriate travel to rural or interstate regions.

As a general guide, fees are as follows:

All fees are GST inclusive.




Note 1 – Discounts apply for paying on the day, with the pay-on-the-day fee in brackets above for clinical fees.

Note 2 – Payment may be made by cash, cheque, credit card. EFTPOS facilities are now available at both Ringwood and Lilydale clinics.

Note 3 – Cancellation Policy: If for some reason you need to cancel or postpone an appointment, please give the relevant clinic at least 24 hours' notice otherwise you may be charged half the Standard Consultation Fee for the non-attended session. For corporate services, specific fees will apply for each client, but in general one week's notice is required for cancelling a workshop or presentation.