How much does a child psychologist cost in Australia?

Fees commonly range from around $150 to $300 or more per session. With a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare rebates a portion of each of up to 10 sessions per calendar year. The gap you pay depends on the psychologist's fee, and some bulk-bill children.

Do I need a referral to see a child psychologist?

No. You can see a psychologist privately without a referral. You do need a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan to claim Medicare rebates.

How to Find a Child Psychologist in Australia

Deciding to get professional support for your child is a big step, and the system can feel like a maze from the outside. The good news is that the path is more standard than it looks.

It runs like this: a longer GP appointment, a Mental Health Care Plan, a referral, then Medicare rebates on up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year. You can also skip all of that and book privately without a referral — you’ll simply pay the full fee.

The harder parts are the waitlists and the choosing. Both are manageable once you know what to expect.

Step 1: Start with your GP

Book a longer appointment and describe what you’re seeing. Changes in mood or sleep. School refusal. Worry that’s started running the household.

Your GP can assess whether a Mental Health Care Plan is appropriate, rule out physical causes, and point you toward psychologists who work well with children. If the concern gets waved away and you’re still worried, it’s okay to ask again or see a different GP. Persistence is normal here, not rudeness.

How the Mental Health Care Plan itself works — what your GP actually writes, and what it unlocks — is worth reading before this appointment.

Step 2: Understand the costs

session fees commonly run $150 to $300 or more
with a care plan, Medicare rebates a set amount per session, for up to 10 sessions a calendar year
the gap varies by practitioner, and some bulk-bill children
private health extras may cover some sessions, but you can’t claim private health and Medicare on the same session

For the full breakdown — real fee ranges, the rebate by practitioner type, and a worked example of the gap — see child psychologist cost in Australia.

Step 3: Find the right practitioner

Use the APS Find a Psychologist service and filter for child and adolescent experience. And if you’re not sure a psychologist is even the right kind of help, OT vs psychologist vs behaviour therapist explains who does what.

Waitlists for child psychologists are real, and months is common. Get on more than one list. Ask about cancellation lists. Ask about telehealth too — the waits are often shorter, and it works well for older kids.

Once you’ve got an appointment booked, these questions to ask before and during the first session will help you walk in prepared.

While you wait

The waitlist stretch is the hardest part, because it feels like nothing is happening.

More is happening than it feels like. Steady routines help. Naming feelings without rushing to fix them helps. Keeping the conversation channel open helps most of all, and our big feelings guides cover the day-to-day strategies that hold the fort until the appointment comes around.

This article is general parenting guidance, not clinical advice, and is not a substitute for seeing a qualified professional. If you are worried about your child, our finding support guides explain where to start in Australia.