Available Funding options
This page outlines the relevant funding bodies and frameworks within which psychological assessment and treatment services are provided. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to receive treatment under a relevant funding body, please submit an enquiry with your circumstances, and we will get back to you with further information. On this page:
Medicare‑Rebated Psychology
Our primary aim is to make sessions affordable and accessible. This means looking for ways to reduce clients' out-of-pocket costs and promoting your ongoing access to high-quality support. For most Australians, the best solution involves obtaining a mental health care plan from your GP.
Fees and rebates
2026 In-person session fee: $270, with a Medicare rebate of $145.25 per session, which results in an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $124.75 per session.
2026 Telehealth session fee: varies depending on circumstances and eligibility criteria. Please contact for further info.
For context, professional bodies recommend higher standard consultation fees. The APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees (2025–2026) recommends a standard 40–60 minute consultation fee of $318 ($172.75 Gap fee).
Mental Health Care Plan - more info
Forward Thinking Psychological Services provides clients with up to 10 medicare sessions per year within a Mental Health Care Plan, under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative. Sessions are approximately 55 minutes duration and take place via telehealth/online video link, allowing clients to access flexible, high‑quality psychological support without long wait times or location barriers. A MHCP can be summarised as follows:
Is a referral + mental health plan provided during a dedicated appointment with your GP, to a Medicare-registered psychologist, that allows rebates (of $145.25) to be processed for psychology sessions
Can be obtained by a new/telehealth GP, if you are unable to book with your regular GP
Must be obtained before your first psychology session
Allows up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year (which carry over to the next year(s), if not used
Medicare processing and rebates are processed automatically by the clinic, at the time of appointment, and deposited to your nominated bank account typically within a 1-3 day timeframe (if all information is correct).
Accessing psychology sessions under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) offers several practical and clinical benefits, including:
Reduced out-of-pocket costs
Medicare provides a rebate ($145.25) for eligible psychology sessions, which can substantially reduce the cost of sessions and make ongoing support more affordable.Collaborative involvement with your GP
A MHCP encourages collaboration between your GP and psychologist, helping ensure your mental health care is coordinated with your broader health needs.Clear clinical and ethical standards
Medicare-rebated sessions require psychologists to meet specific professional, reporting, and evidence-based practice standards, supporting consistency and quality of care.A defined treatment framework
The MHCP provides a clear structure for therapy, including agreed goals, review points, and progress updates, which helps keep treatment focused and purposefulFlexibility in how sessions are delivered
Medicare rebates can be applied to telehealth and online psychology sessions, allowing treatment to fit more easily around work, health, and lifestyle demands. Furthermore, there are no “booking requirements” or lock-in session packages - you are free to make and utilise as many sessions as you see fit.
Getting started
To begin Medicare‑rebated psychology:
Book an appointment with your GP to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan. It does not have to be with your regular GP.
Request a referral to a psychologist (Tom Ford), and an accompanying MHCP. Your GP is likely familiar with this process and will go through the necessary details with you
Your GP can submit your referral and MHCP to our clinic via email (info@forwardthinkingpsychology.com)
If you prefer, you can request a copy of your referral and MHCP and submit it via email
We reach out to you to gather your details, informed consent, and book an initial appointment
Who is this service for?
Medicare‑rebated psychology may be suitable if you are an adult experiencing:
Work‑related stress or adjustment difficulties
Cognitive, thinking or organisation problems
Relationship concerns or interpersonal stress
Life transitions (e.g. career change, injury, illness, or role changes)
You do not need to be in crisis, nor do you need to have a formal diagnosis, to access psychological support under Medicare.
Your spouse or family can also use up to two allocated sessions from your MHCP for the purpose of feedback and supporting you, as you work towards your treatment goals - providing certain conditions are met.
What to expect from therapy
Your clinician will love it when you communicate not only what your goals are for therapy, but also what you are looking for in a therapist! Self-advocacy and agency should be important aspects of any mental-health support. However, if you’re not quite sure, we’re here to guide you as well.
Therapy at Forward Thinking Psychological Services is:
Inviting, warm, and approachable. Therapy can be stressful (especially for those who haven’t tried it before), so our clinicians’ first priority is your comfort.
Collaborative - goals are developed together and reviewed regularly
Evidence‑based- treatment approaches are guided by current clinical research
Practical and structured – sessions focus on understanding patterns, building skills, and supporting meaningful change that (hopefully) lasts long beyond your final session
Individualised – therapy is tailored to your needs, circumstances, and pace
Depending on your goals and presentation, therapy may draw on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence‑based frameworks.
Online & Telehealth sessions
Medicare‑rebated sessions are currently offered either in-person (at Central Coast Psychiatry - 1 Bronzewing Drive Erina), or via secure telehealth or online video call. Telehealth psychology is well‑supported by research and is suitable for many people, particularly those who:
Prefer attending sessions from home
Have limited availability during standard business hours
Live regionally or travel frequently
Experience physical health or mobility limitations
If telehealth is not suitable for your needs, this can be discussed during an initial consultation, and we can arrange a re-referral to a suitable clinic.
Need Help?
If you have questions about eligibility, referrals, or whether this service is a good fit for you, you are welcome to get in touch at info@forwardthinkingpsychology.com
This service is designed for adults. If you are seeking assessment or treatment for children or adolescents, please contact us to discuss appropriate referral options
WorkCover, CTP & Lifetime Care Psychology
Forward Thinking Psychological Services provides a range of psychological assessment and treatment options for adults under Workers’ Compensation (WorkCover), Compulsory Third Party (CTP), and Lifetime Care schemes. With several years of experience supporting individuals within these schemes, we are well-placed to support and guide you through whatever stage of the journey you find yourself in.
We understand that being involved in an insurance-based claim can be stressful and, at times, overwhelming. Clients are often managing multiple appointments, navigating unfamiliar systems, and repeatedly recounting experiences that may be distressing or upsetting. Our approach is to reduce unnecessary burden where possible, take the time to understand your situation, and focus on what will genuinely support your recovery and next steps.
Services are currently delivered either in-person or via secure telehealth or online video calls, allowing flexible access to care alongside other medical, rehabilitation, and work-related commitments.
Scheme-specific notes
Workers’ Compensation (“WorkCover”): Focuses on recovery from work-related physical and/or psychological injury and capacity for safe return to work.
CTP: Applies where psychological symptoms arise following a motor vehicle accident.
Lifetime Care:Supports people with long-term or catastrophic injuries requiring ongoing psychological input as part of multidisciplinary care.
We are experienced in delivering therapy across all three schemes and are well-equipped to support your needs within the scope of your claim/situation.
A slightly different focus to private therapy
Psychological treatment under WorkCover, CTP, or Lifetime Care may differ in some important ways from standard private therapy.
While your mental health and emotional wellbeing remains a central focus, treatment is typically more functionally and recovery-focused, with an emphasis on:
Improving capacity for work, study, or daily functioning (whilst respecting and upholding each individual’s personal dignity and the right to free choice in the pathway they choose)
Recovery from physical/psychological injury or adjustment to injury/illness
Building skills to support sustainable return-to-work or role participation
Managing symptoms in the context of rehabilitation goals
This means that sessions may not cover every life issue or historical concern, particularly if it falls outside the scope of the claim or recovery plan. This focus is not about limiting care or dismissing a person’s genuine problems, but about ensuring treatment aligns with insurance scheme requirements/guidelines and supports meaningful functional outcomes.
There is also often greater involvement from other stakeholders, such as your GP, case manager, and rehabilitation consultant. This can include progress updates, capacity-related information, and collaborative planning. Sometimes, notes, files, and reports are requested by legal representatives or insurers, which can also change how your information is kept and shared.
Confidentiality remains a core ethical principle; however, the information-sharing processes differ from standard private therapy. These arrangements will always be discussed with you clearly so you understand what information is shared, with whom, and for what purpose.
What to expect from treatment
Psychological care at Forward Thinking Psychology under these schemes is:
Inviting, warm, and approachable. Therapy can be stressful (especially for those who haven’t tried it before), so our clinicians’ first priority is your comfort.
Structured and goal-oriented, with a clear focus on recovery and function
Collaborative, involving you and (where appropriate) other members of your treatment team
Evidence-based, guided by current clinical and occupational rehabilitation guidelines
Transparent, with clear explanations of processes, expectations, and reporting requirements
Treatment commonly draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and other evidence-based frameworks relevant to psychological injury, adjustment, and rehabilitation.
Information for Case Managers
Our clinicians at Forward Thinking Psychological Services have several years of experience providing psychological services within Workers’ Compensation and insurance-based frameworks. They receive ongoing support, supervision, and training specifically for improving their understanding and skills of how to deliver appropriate and effective psychological services within insurance-based frameworks.
Case managers can expect:
Clear, timely, and professional communication
Responsiveness to reasonable requests for updates or clarification
Treatment that aligns with scheme requirements and recovery objectives
A pragmatic, function-focused approach to psychological intervention
Psychological support that encourages improving functioning/capacity; whilst upholding individual choice and control of how this looks for each client
We understand the importance of balancing clinical integrity with administrative and reporting obligations, and aim to support efficient, collaborative claim management.
Information for GPs
We value clear and succinct communication with referring GPs. We are able to schedule time as needed to discuss a client’s current situation, goals, barriers, and next steps either during case conferences or other updates.
GPs can expect:
Succinct, clinically relevant progress updates
Communication timed appropriately around Certificate of Capacity reviews, where applicable
Notification of any significant changes in presentation, capacity, or treatment direction
Our goal is to support coordinated care while minimising any unnecessary administrative burden.
Information for Rehabilitation Consultants
We work closely with rehabilitation consultants and recognise the central role they play in recovery and return-to-work planning.
Rehabilitation consultants can expect:
Open, collaborative communication
Willingness to participate in goal-setting and case conferences where appropriate
A focus on identifying realistic recovery pathways
Psychological input into functional capacity, work readiness, and vocational or career planning
We aim to contribute constructively to multidisciplinary planning and support sustainable, long-term outcomes for clients. We pride ourselves on transparent collaboration - ensuring clients have a consistent, reliable, and surprise-free experience throughout their rehab journey.
Referrals and getting started
GP Referrals under WorkCover, CTP, or Lifetime Care typically require approval through the relevant insurer or scheme. Processes can vary depending on jurisdiction and claim status.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible or how to proceed with a referral, you are welcome to make contact to discuss your next steps at info@forwardthinkingpsychology.com
The Heart of Therapy Is Human Connection
At the core of effective therapy is a genuine connection. Feeling seen, heard, and understood. That’s why we believe the most important part of your therapeutic journey is finding someone you truly feel comfortable with.