Understanding the cost of therapy is an important part of deciding whether a service is right for you. At Ocean Blue Social Work & Counselling, fees and funding arrangements are discussed before therapy commences so you know what to expect.

I aim to keep my fees as low as possible while ensuring I can continue to provide high-quality, sustainable clinical care.

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) recommends a standard private practice fee of approximately $289 per hour. My current fee is set below this recommended rate to make therapy more accessible, while still reflecting the time, training, and ongoing professional development required to provide evidence-based mental health support.

Where applicable, rebates may be available through Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans or private health insurance, depending on your level of cover.

Medicare

$150 per 50-minute session
Medicare rebate: $89.50 per eligible session
Out-of-pocket cost: $60.50 per session

Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients referred under a Mental Health Treatment Plan by their GP or another eligible referring medical practitioner.

How many sessions can I access?

Eligible clients can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual mental health treatment sessions per calendar year under the Better Access initiative.

Your initial referral will usually provide a course of treatment of up to 6 sessions.

If further therapy is clinically appropriate, your referring practitioner can provide a further referral for the remaining sessions, up to the Medicare limit of 10 individual sessions in a calendar year.

The number of sessions included in each referral is determined by your referring practitioner and your individual circumstances.

Keeping Track of Your Medicare Sessions

It is important to keep track of the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions you have used during the calendar year, particularly if you have accessed another psychologist, social worker or eligible mental health professional.

You can view your Medicare claims history through your myGov Medicare account or the Express Plus Medicare app.

In myGov:

Log in to your myGov account and select Medicare.
Go to your Medicare claims history.
Review the mental health or allied health services you have claimed during the calendar year.

If you are unsure how many eligible sessions you have remaining, you can contact Medicare on 132 011 for assistance.

Medicare Safety Net

Your out-of-pocket medical expenses may contribute towards your Medicare Safety Net.

If you reach the applicable Safety Net threshold during a calendar year, you may receive higher Medicare benefits for eligible out-of-hospital medical services for the remainder of that calendar year.

The Medicare Safety Net is administered by Services Australia and eligibility and thresholds can vary depending on your circumstances.

For current information, visit the Medicare Safety Net information provided by Services Australia.

Private Therapy

$150 per 50-minute session

You do not need a referral to access therapy privately.

Private therapy may be suitable if you would prefer to access support independently, do not have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, or do not wish to use another funding arrangement.

Payment is required on the day of your appointment.

Reduced Fee Appointments

Accessing therapy can sometimes be difficult when finances are limited.

A reduced fee may be available for eligible clients experiencing financial hardship. Reduced-fee appointments are limited and availability can be discussed when enquiring about therapy.

NDIS-Funded Therapy

Ocean Blue Social Work & Counselling provides therapeutic social work for self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants where therapy is appropriate to the person's individual needs, goals and NDIS plan.

NDIS-funded services are charged at the applicable NDIS price limit under the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

Your fee and the terms of service will be discussed before therapy commences and documented within your NDIS Service Agreement.

Ocean Blue Social Work & Counselling provides a therapy-focused service. Support Coordination, Recovery Coaching and general case management are not provided.

Other Funding Options

Therapy may also be accessible through other funding arrangements, including:

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
WorkCover
Private health insurance:

HCF
Medibank
Bupa
Teachers Health Fund
Doctors Health
St Lukes Health
Australian Regional Health Group Ancillary Provider Accreditation Service

Other approved third-party funding arrangements

Eligibility, referral requirements and fees can differ between funding arrangements. Please enquire before booking if another organisation will be responsible for some or all of the cost of your therapy.

Before Your First Appointment

You will be advised of the applicable fee before your first appointment.

If your therapy is being funded by another organisation or funding body, confirmation of the funding arrangement may be required before services commence.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may incur a cancellation fee.