Changes to the Better Access Mental Health Program

From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government is introducing updates to the Better Access Mental Health Program through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

Here is what’s changing:

• Link to your regular GP or practice:

  Medicare benefits for preparing, reviewing, or updating a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) will only be payable when the plan is completed by a GP at your MyMedicare-registered practice, or by your usual GP (the doctor who provides most of your care).

• No change for specialist referrals:

  Patients referred by a psychiatrist or paediatrician will not be affected.

• Changes to appointment item numbers:

  Several specific MBS item numbers for mental health consultations will be removed. Instead, GPs will use time-based appointment items that reflect the length and nature of your consultation.

• Existing plans remain valid:

  If your referral or treatment plan is dated before 1 November 2025, it will remain valid until all sessions have been used, within the usual limits.

• Telehealth changes:

  The same rules will apply to telehealth. From November 2025, mental health plans via telehealth must be done by your MyMedicare GP or your usual doctor. The previous exemption that allowed new patients to have MHTPs by telehealth will no longer apply.

What This Means for You

If you are registered for MyMedicare with our practice, your mental health care and referrals will automatically be linked to us. If you’re not yet registered, you can still see your usual GP, but registering helps ensure continuity of care, especially for telehealth consultations and referrals.

You can learn more about MyMedicare and how to register at www.health.gov.au/mymedicare