As of 1 November 2025, the Australian Government introduced changes to Better Access, the program that offers Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care. The changes respond to an evaluation of the Better Access initiative
Key changes For practices and practitioners For patients More information
Key changes
The following changes were introduced on 1 November
|
Medicare benefits are only payable for preparing a mental health treatment plan (MHTP), reviewing a MHTP and referrals for treatment services when a patient has:
These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician. |
The following items have been removed from the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS):
|
For practices and practitioners
| Removing the 12 review and mental health consultation items will enable GPs and PMPs to use time-tiered professional (general attendance) items to review, refer and/or provide ongoing mental health consultation for a patient’s mental health.
This includes items for longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive to review MHTPs and deliver mental health care and support to patients. It will allow GPs greater flexibility to determine the appropriate amount of time they need to spend with the patient based on their individual circumstances. Any MHTP referral dated prior to 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral (within the maximum session limit for the course of treatment) have been delivered to the patient. The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP/PMP telehealth items for MHTPs. These services will be no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025. See also Medicare Benefits Schedule – Note AN.1.1 |
ResourcesAustralian Government Resources
Western Victoria Primary Health Network Resources |
Note
- These changes to do not affect focused psychological strategies which remain available to any patient from any eligible GP and eligible PMP who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
- Treatment services referred to under the Better Access Initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support. For details on other low or no cost mental health support services in western Victoria, see Mental Health Care.
For patients
| A patient’s usual medical practitioner is someone who has provided the majority of services to the person in the past 12 months or who is likely to provide the majority of services to the person in the following 12 months. This includes other GPs and PMPs who are employed at the patient’s usual medical practice.
Patients can choose to see their usual medical practitioner irrespective of their existing MyMedicare registered status. This is because patients may choose to seek mental health support through a separate GP or PMP for a wide variety of reasons, and these changes will not impact the ability for patients to continue to do this. For example, if a patient is registered with a MyMedicare practice but wishes to see a GP at another practice (such as a headspace GP) as they consider them to be their ‘usual medical practitioner’ for their mental health support needs, there is nothing precluding the patient from doing so because of the changes coming in to effect. |
Resources
|
More information
- Better Access initiative: Better Access initiative | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Information on eligibility, claiming and payment processes: phone Services Australia on 132 011 or go to Medicare | Services Australia
Western Victoria Primary Health Network will continue to provide further information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your Primary Care Engagement Officer or email [email protected]