Contact
The Paediatric, Perinatal, & Adult Therapy Centre

No referral is required to access services.

Clients are not eligible for Medicare rebates without a valid referral. Private Health rebates may apply depending on your cover and the clinician with whom you consult. Please ask our reception staff if you would like to check with your insurer what your rebate may be prior to sessions.

Mental Health Care Plan

A Medicare rebate is applicable for those clients who have a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) completed by a GP or Paediatrician prior to their first appointment. To complete a MHCP please book a double appointment with your doctor and let them know the reason for the appointment in advance where possible.

The first MHCP referral generally gives the client access to 6 sessions with a rebate. If further sessions are required, the GP is able to extend the referral for further sessions (up to 6 sessions on each referral).

The rebate applicable with a MHCP depends on the clinician you consult with. Our administration staff will convey costs and applicable rebates when you first book your appointments. You are welcome to request this information as part of your decision making beforehand.

Please note clinicians working from PPATC do not bulk bill and there will be gaps between the fee charged and Medicare rebates.

More detail on MHCPs:

Currently there are a maximum of 10 rebates under a MHCP allowable in a calendar year per person. Unused sessions roll over to the new year. An individual with a valid referral is entitled to 10 sessions with Medicare rebates every year.

A new MHCP cannot be completed within 12 months of the last plan. However, unless there is a change in the presenting issue, a new MHCP is never required.

A “MHCP review” can be completed 3 months after the previous referral (MHCP or review) but not before. A review or re-referral is required to extend sessions beyond the initial 6 sessions.

If an extension is required before 3 months a “re-referral” can be completed by the GP.

MHCP never expire.

A MHCP, review or re-referral is not specific to a provider. A therapist may be named on the referral or not. Names do not have to be changed on the referral if you consult with someone else.

If you have met criteria for the Medicare safety net (i.e. in the case of birthing in the private system this is common) you are eligible for a greater rebate during that calendar year.

At times it is appropriate for an infant or child and a parent to each have a MHCP completed in their own name. Whomever is named on the plan must attend at least 8 of 10 sessions. However, in perinatal mental health it is widely acknowledged that the mental health of the infant is significantly influenced by the mental health of their primary caregivers. Infants also commonly attend sessions.

Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling Medicare Referral

In cases where there is a current pregnancy or the client has been pregnant in the previous 12mths, a referral can be made by a GP under a Non-Directive Pregnancy Counselling Medicare Item. This only requires a GP to write a letter requesting the client be seen under that item, that the letter be dated and signed. The Medicare rebate attached to this item is less that of a MHCP rebate.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

If you are seeking to make an appointment via an EAP and your employer has directed you here please use our standard intake form and indicate EAP where asked.

If you are seeking to use EAP with whom PPATC is not listed as a preferred provider please complete the standard intake form, indicate EAP and provide a contact for your employer (usually Human Resources) to confirm the arrangement. No identifying information will be shared. Alternatively, contact our Practice Manager to have them arrange.

Our Clinic Locations on the Map