Third Party Compensation:

There is no cost to the client with an approved third party claim such as for motor vehicle accidents, WorkCover or the Military Compensation scheme.
 

Private Clients:

For private clients, the fee is similar to that of other professional consulting services (such as accountants, engineers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, dieticians, etc.). Contact us for current fee information. At Access Psychology, our fees may be higher than the average Psychological service, but we don't provide just an average range of services or just an average level of service.
 

Payment Methods:

Payment is required at the time of the consultation and can be made by cheque, credit card, EFTPOS, HICAPS or cash.
 

Rebates - Medicare and Private Health Extras insurance:

You can claim a Medicare rebate of $112.45 per Psychological Therapy consultation at Access Psychology, for up to 12 consultations per calendar year. You must have a referral from your GP along with a Mental Health Care Plan, or a referral from your Psychiatrist or Paediatrician, and you must be assessed by the doctor as suffering from a mental disorder. You will need to bring the referral, and a copy of the Care Plan, with you to your first consultation.

Included under the Medicare scheme are the following disorders:
Depression, Anxiety disorders, Panic disorder, Sleep problems, Phobias, Post-traumatic Stress disorder, Adjustment disorder, Conduct disorders, Bereavement, Eating disorders, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Bipolar disorder, Alcohol use disorder, Drug use disorder, Sexual disorders, Psychoses, and Schizophrenia.
Excluded under the Medicare scheme are are psychological tests (e.g. IQ or vocational tests) and the following disorders:
Tobacco use disorder, Dementia, Delirium, and Mental Retardation problems. These are not defined as being mental disorders. Private Health Extras insurance provides rebates for the Psychological Consultations relating to these issues.

There are two service and rebate levels. The first level is called Focused Psychological Strategies and the service is limited to a number of basic therapies. It attracts a $76.65 rebate and can be provided by any psychologist, a social worker or an occupational therapist who has a Medicare Provider Number. The second level is called Psychological Therapy Services and allows for a comprehensive range of evidence-based clinical therapies. It attracts a rebate of $112.45 and can only be provided by psychologists who meet the criteria for membership of the Australian Psychological Society’s College of Clinical Psychologists. Ed Zahra is a member of the College of Clinical Psychologists and he does have a Medicare Provider Number.

Those with Private Health Extras insurance can obtain a rebate of between 20% and 100% of the fee (depending on the fund and level of cover). You may claim a rebate via the Medicare system or through your private Extras insurance for any particular consultation, but not both rebates.
 

Psychological fees are tax deductible:

The Federal Government has a Medical Expense Tax Offset scheme for Therapeutic Treatment. Any taxpayer whose net medical expenses (for themselves or their dependants) in the year of income exceeds $1500 may be eligible for a 20% Medical Expense Rebate if specifically referred for that therapeutic treatment by their Medical Practitioner. The rebate is paid by the Australian Tax Office (and is subject to change by them from time to time). Check with the Australian Taxation Office for eligibility and rebate calculation details.
 

What about the GST?:

Fees for treatment-related psychological services are GST Free. Fees for non-treatment psychological services (such as Reports, Vocational Appraisals or for missed appointments) are subject to the 10% Goods and Services Tax.