Clinic Fees
All potential patients are sent a very clear list of fees which they confirm and consent to paying, prior to booking any appointments. If you have a current referral from your GP, you are likely to be eligible for a medicare rebate for any attended appointments during this period of care, which will be rebated to you from Medicare after your appointment has been attended and your fee is paid.
We strive to keep our fees reasonable while providing an optimal service.
We are unable to bulk bill or offer a standard concession discount.
Please remember that once you reach the safety net, a full 50 minute review or therapy appointment will cost approximately $67 out of pocket (i.e. You pay the full fee to the clinic, Medicare pays your insured amount back into your nominated bank account, this insured amount should cover most of the fee apart from a remaining 'out of pocket' fee).
You are able to see a psychiatrist weekly still get the full rebate, as long as you have a valid referral from your GP to see a psychiatrist.
Current Appointment Fees for returning patients:
Review 45+ minutes: $520 (The medicare rebate is $184.90. Out of pocket cost is $335.10)
Review 30+ minutes: $390 (The medicare rebate is $134.00 Our of pocket cost is $256.00)
Why don't you have a standard discount rate for concession card holders or low income families?
We understand that the cost of care can be a burden and we do not take that lightly.
We are unable to bulk bill and cover business operating costs.
Why Do Psychiatric Services Cost So Much?
Athelas Psychiatry is a small privately-run practice committed to delivering high-quality, personalised mental health care. We understand that the cost of psychiatric services can feel high, and we want to be transparent about why this is the case.
Psychiatric care involves more than just the time spent in an appointment. Unlike bulk-billed services, which are limited by strict time and funding constraints, private psychiatric care allows for comprehensive assessments, collaboration with families and other providers, and continuity of care over time.
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates only cover a portion of the true cost, and public psychiatric services remain stretched and difficult to access.
Like solicitors, accountants, plumbers, and other service-based professionals, medical clinics must set fees that reflect both the expertise provided and the true cost of operating safely, ethically, and legally.
Understanding Our Fee Structure
At Athelas Psychiatry, the fee you pay on the day is the sole source of income for the clinic. We do not receive any additional funding from Medicare or other organisations.
Athelas Psychiatry is a solo private practice. From the fee you pay, a significant portion goes towards essential operating costs, including administration, insurance, software, secure communication systems, professional supervision, medical registration and professional indemnity insurance.
It’s important to understand that the doctor receives only a small portion of the total fee as income.
How the Medicare Safety Net Can Help
Medicare offers some additional financial support for families through the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN). Once your out-of-pocket medical expenses for the year reach a certain threshold, Medicare increases the rebate it pays.
The Medicare Safety Net threshold is updated periodically. Please check Medicare or Services Australia for the current threshold.
After this, Medicare will refund 80% of your out-of-pocket costs (i.e., the gap between the full fee and the standard Medicare rebate) or up to a capped amount per service — whichever is lower.
Does the Medicare Rebate Cover the Cost of Psychiatric Care?
Unfortunately, no — Medicare only covers a portion of the true cost of psychiatric services. The gap between what Medicare provides and the real cost of delivering specialist care means that most Australians are effectively under-insured when it comes to mental health.
Psychiatric care involves significant clinical responsibility, long consultations, and complex documentation. Medicare rebates have not kept pace with inflation, costs of operation, or the expertise involved. As a result, families are left paying substantial out-of-pocket fees for necessary care.
We know this system isn’t working — and we’re advocating for change.
What Can I Do If I Can’t Afford Private Care?
If private psychiatry is unaffordable, there are still options:
Accessing Government-Funded Mental Health Care
The Australian Government has recently rebranded its Medicare Mental Health clinics to improve access to free or low-cost services. These clinics can provide:
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Support from psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, or care coordinators
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Free mental health care for people who meet certain criteria
However, they do not typically provide direct access to psychiatrists.
You can ask your GP about, or directly contact:
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NGOs or telehealth providers funded through federal mental health initiatives
While these can be helpful for some, they’re not a replacement for medical psychiatric care and this should also be available.
What If We No Longer Need Psychiatric Care?
This is a positive outcome. If your condition is stable or no longer requires medical psychiatric oversight, we fully support a transition back to your GP.
There is no obligation to remain under specialist care "just in case." In fact, we encourage stepped-down care when appropriate. We’re happy to provide:
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A formal discharge letter summarising treatment
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Recommendations for follow-up or community supports
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Information for your GP to continue care confidently
Our goal is not to keep families in care unnecessarily, but to support them during periods when specialist input is genuinely needed.
