Do You Need a Referral to See a Psychologist Online in South Australia?
No — you do not need a referral to see a psychologist online in South Australia. You can book directly with a private telehealth psychologist and start straight away. A referral only becomes relevant if you want to claim a Medicare rebate, which requires a GP Mental Health Care Plan.
This is one of the most common questions South Australians ask before their first session, so let’s unpack exactly when a referral matters and when it doesn’t.
Booking without a referral
Psychologists in private practice — including telehealth practices like MindLens Psychology — accept self-referrals. That means you can contact the practice, book a session, and begin therapy without seeing your GP first. You’ll pay the full session fee privately, but there’s no gatekeeping step and often no waitlist for online providers.
Self-referral suits people who want to start quickly, who don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition but want support with stress, relationships or a life transition, or who simply prefer to keep their GP out of the loop.
When you do need a referral: the Medicare rebate
A referral matters if you want to reduce the cost of therapy through Medicare. To claim a rebate, you need a GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Here’s the process:
- Book a longer appointment with your GP and explain that you’d like a Mental Health Care Plan.
- Your GP assesses your situation and, if appropriate, prepares the plan and refers you to a psychologist.
- The plan covers a set number of rebated sessions per calendar year.
- You attend your sessions and claim the Medicare rebate on each one.
With a valid plan and referral, MindLens clients receive a Medicare rebate of $101.55 per session. On the standard $260 session fee, that brings the out-of-pocket cost to approximately $158.45.
Does the referral work for telehealth?
Yes. A GP Mental Health Care Plan and referral apply to telehealth psychology sessions in exactly the same way as in-person appointments. You can be anywhere in South Australia — metropolitan Adelaide or a regional town — and still use your rebate for online sessions.
How do you book an online psychologist using a GP referral?
See your usual GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to a psychologist. Then request an appointment with MindLens online or on 1300 646 353, and send your referral and plan before your first session. Sessions run by secure video, and the Medicare rebate is claimed after each paid session.
Step by step:
- See your usual GP. Book a longer appointment and ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) and a referral to a psychologist. For the plan to attract a Medicare rebate, it needs to come from a GP at the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare, or from your usual GP, meaning the doctor or practice that provides most of your care.
- Request an appointment. Use our request an appointment form, book an initial 15-minute phone consultation, or call 1300 646 353.
- Send your referral and plan. Your GP can send them through the referral form on our For GPs page, or you can send them to us before your first session.
- Join your session by video. The meeting details are emailed to you, so you can join from your phone, tablet or laptop, anywhere in South Australia.
- Pay and claim. The session fee is paid after each session and the Medicare rebate is claimed on each one. Your GP reviews your progress along the way, and you can have up to 10 individually rebated sessions in a calendar year.
Which option is right for you?
- Want to start today and happy to pay privately? Self-refer and book directly.
- Want to lower the cost over several sessions? See your GP first for a Mental Health Care Plan, then book.
- Not sure? You can begin privately and add a Mental Health Care Plan later — many people do.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Mental Health Care Plan by telehealth?
Often, yes, but it needs to be with the right GP. Since 1 November 2025, Medicare only pays for a plan prepared by a GP at the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare, or by your usual GP, and this applies to phone and video appointments too. Check with your regular GP clinic.
How many rebated sessions do I get?
A Mental Health Care Plan covers a set number of individually rebated sessions each calendar year. Your GP will explain the current allowance and review your progress along the way.
Do I need a new referral each year?
Your GP will review your plan periodically and provide new referrals as needed. Your psychologist can let you know when a review is due.
Can my GP send my referral straight to MindLens?
Yes. Your GP can send your referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan through the referral form on our For GPs page. You can then request an appointment or call us to book your first session.
Can I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a telehealth GP I have not seen before?
Usually not with a Medicare rebate. Since 1 November 2025, Medicare only pays for a plan prepared by a GP at the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare, or by your usual GP. This applies to telehealth appointments too.
What do I need for my first online session?
If you are claiming Medicare, your referral and plan, plus your Medicare card details. You will also need a private space and a phone, tablet or laptop with a camera. The video meeting details are emailed to you before your appointment.
MindLens Psychology offers telehealth psychology to Adelaide and all of South Australia, with or without a referral. Request an appointment to get started.