Is a Mental Health Care Plan the same as a diagnosis?

No. It's a referral and support document, not a diagnosis. Your GP can write one based on the concerns you're describing and their own assessment — a formal diagnosis isn't a requirement to get started.

How long does a Mental Health Care Plan last?

There's no fixed expiry, but your GP typically reviews progress after an initial block of sessions — commonly around session six — to check the plan is still the right fit and to refer for the remaining sessions if so.

Can any GP write one?

Yes. Any GP can write a Mental Health Care Plan; it doesn't need to be a specialist. It does need a longer appointment than a standard visit, so book accordingly and mention why when you call.

Mental Health Care Plan for Kids: How It Works With Medicare

A Mental Health Care Plan is the single piece of paper that unlocks affordable psychology sessions for your child. Everything else in the process — choosing a psychologist, the waitlist, the cost — sits downstream of getting this one thing right.

It’s now officially called a Mental Health Treatment Plan, though most people, including a lot of GPs, still say “care plan” out of habit. Same document, same purpose.

What it actually is

A Mental Health Care Plan is written by your GP, based on a longer consultation where they assess what’s going on and agree on goals for treatment. It’s not a diagnosis, and it’s not a referral letter in the way a specialist referral works — it’s a Medicare mechanism that makes psychology sessions rebateable.

How your GP writes one

Book a longer appointment specifically for this — a standard 10-minute slot usually isn’t enough. Describe what you’re seeing at home or hearing from school, and let your GP ask their own questions. They’ll talk through goals, and if a plan is appropriate, write it there and then.

If your GP seems unsure or brushes past your concerns, it’s fine to ask directly for a Mental Health Care Plan by name, or to see a different GP. You know your child; persistence here is normal, not pushy.

What it unlocks

Once the plan exists, Medicare rebates part of the cost of up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year. The rebate amount depends on whether you see a registered or a clinical psychologist — the full cost breakdown, with current numbers, covers exactly what that looks like in dollars.

Without the plan, you can still see a psychologist privately. You’ll just pay the full session fee with no Medicare rebate attached.

What it doesn’t require

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to get a plan written, and you don’t need one to keep using it. Plenty of families use a Mental Health Care Plan for support with big feelings, family stress or a rough patch, not just a diagnosed condition.

Renewing the plan

Your GP will usually check in after the first block of sessions — often around session six — to see how things are going. If more sessions are needed, they can extend the referral. This is a normal, expected step, not a sign that anything’s gone wrong.

Getting the paperwork sorted is often the part that stalls families the longest, and it’s genuinely just admin — nothing about it reflects how serious or minor your child’s situation is. Once it’s done, the pathway to finding the right psychologist and what to ask once you’re booked in cover the rest of the process. And while you’re waiting for the appointment itself, our big feelings guides cover what helps in the meantime.

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.