Is therapy expensive? A comprehensive guide to psychologist and therapist fees and rebates in 2025

Ttherapy can feel like a bit of a mystery when it comes to cost. You might have heard that it’s expensive, but how much is too much? And what about Medicare rebates or private health cover?

With mental health support becoming more essential than ever, understanding the real cost of therapy in 2025 is key. This guide breaks it all down in simple terms, from what therapists actually charge to the rebates you might be missing out on.

Table of Contents

1. Standard Consultation Fees

2. Medicare Rebates

3. Private Health Insurance

4. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

5. Bulk Billing and Concession Rates

6. Payment Methods

7. Cancellation Policy

Standard Consultation Fees

While different clinics charge varying consultation fees, all psychological clinics in Australia have one benchmark: the Australian Psychological Society's recommended rates. These recommendations can give you an idea on fees, but keep in mind that other factors like logistics play a role in how specific clinics and therapists set their prices.

On Talked, we provide straightforward details on costs. You can see costs when you browse therapists, and we've also set standard per-session fees per therapist type. You may view our Pricing page for more details.

Sessions with a general psychologist

• Initial consultation and intro call: Free

• Standard session (50 minutes): $121.05 after Medicare rebate

• Couples therapy (80 minutes): $290

Sessions with a clinical psychologist

• Initial consultation and intro call: Free

• Standard session (50 minutes): $114.75 after Medicare rebate

• Couples therapy (80 minutes): $340

Sessions with a counsellor or psychotherapist

• Initial consultation and intro call: Free

• Standard session (50 minutes): $150 (but can be reduced with private health insurance)

• Couples therapy (80 minutes): $210

Please note that the fees for psychological assessments, reports, and court appearances are subject to different rates, which can be discussed with your psychologist.

Medicare Rebates

If you have a referral from a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. This rebate entitles you to partial reimbursement for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year. To obtain a MHCP or MHTP, you must first speak with your GP. If you do not have a regular GP, you can speak with Talked's bulk billing GP partner.

As of July 2025, the current Medicare rebates for a standard consultation with a mental health professional is $145.25 for a session with a clinical psychologist, $98.97 with a general psychologist, and $87.24 with a social worker.

To claim your rebate, you will need to present your Medicare card and MHCP at the time of payment. We can process your claim on the spot, and the rebate will typically be deposited into your nominated bank account within 24-48 hours.

Learn more about the Medicare rebate process on our Medicare page.

Private Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate on your psychology sessions. The rebate amount and annual limit depend on your specific policy and level of coverage. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to confirm your eligibility and rebate entitlements.

You will need to pay the consultation fee upfront, and then claim the rebate from your insurer. We can provide you with a detailed invoice, including the necessary provider and item numbers, to facilitate your claim.

Some of the health insurers that you can claim your private health insurance from include:

Get started to learn how to claim your private health insurance today.

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

Many organisations offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) as a benefit for their employees. These programmes provide confidential counselling services to help employees manage personal and work-related issues. If your employer offers an EAP, you may be entitled to a certain number of free or subsidised psychology sessions.

Please contact your HR department or EAP provider for more information on your eligibility and the process for accessing these services. If your employer does not have an EAP provider or you are looking to establish an affordable EAP service, consider speaking with your manager or People & Culture officer about establishing an EAP.

Bulk Billing and Concession Rates

We recognise that financial constraints can be a barrier to accessing mental health services. In certain circumstances, we may be able to offer bulk billing or concession rates for clients experiencing financial hardship. To discuss your eligibility for these arrangements, please contact our clinic directly.

Payment Methods

We accept various payment methods for your convenience, including major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). Full payment is required 48 hours before the consultation.

Cancellation Policy

We require at least 48 hours' notice for any cancellations or rescheduling of appointments. This allows us to offer the appointment slot to another client in need. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours' notice, a cancellation fee of 50% of the consultation fee will apply. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, no refund will be provided.

Please note that Medicare and private health insurance do not cover cancellation fees.

In the case of an emergency or exceptional circumstances, we may waive the cancellation fee at our discretion. To avoid any fees, please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment.

Conclusion

Understanding the fees and rebates associated with psychological services is crucial to making informed decisions about your mental health care. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights into the various aspects of fees, rebates, and payment options. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please don't hesitate to contact our clinic. Our team is here to support you on your journey to mental well-being.