For Referrers
Understanding MHTPs, Referrals, and Medicare Requirements
Updated with 1 Nov 2025 Changes
Information on this page comes from the MBS Explanatory Notes AN.0.78, the PHN Better Access Guide, MBS Online Guide, Services Australia and GP Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
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The Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
Expiry: A MHTP does not expire and patient's do not need a new MHTP every year. The MHTP remains active and valid until it is clinically appropriate for the GP to update it (e.g., due to changes in treatment needs, symptoms, diagnoses, GP review, etc.).
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Billing: Referrers cannot bill a brand-new MHTP within a year of the most recent MHTP. Once the MHTP is billed to Medicare, the patient becomes eligible for Medicare rebates when referred to a psychologist.
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Refer to the flowchart below to consider which MBS Item for a MHTP is appropriate. Click the image to download the full BAMH User Guide from PHN.
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Number of Sessions: While clients are eligible to receive up to 10 individual psychology sessions AND 10 group psychology sessions per calendar year, each referral is only valid for a maximum course of 6 sessions (see valid referral & examples lower on this page).
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Valid Referrals
Referrals may be in letter form or simply a copy of the MHTP (as long as it contains all required elements below). Referrals do not expire but are only valid for as long as the number of sessions referred (maximum of 6).
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Example 1: Patient receives a referral for 6 sessions in 2025, and later a subsequent referral for an additional 6 sessions. The treating psychologist is responsible for ensuring that only 4 of these sessions are used in 2025. The remaining 2 sessions from that referral will carry over and can be used in 2026, before the client needs to return to their GP for a new referral.
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Example 2: Patient received referral for 10 sessions in 2026. Each referral is valid for a maximum of 6 sessions, so after session 6 the patient must be reviewed by the GP (using GP items 23, 36) and a new referral for up to 6 sessions provided to the patient.
Referral Validity Requirements
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Date of referral
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Patient’s name, date of birth, and address
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Patient’s mental health diagnosis (or specific symptoms)
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A statement that a Mental Health Treatment Plan has been prepared
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Number of sessions the patient is being referred for (max 6)
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GP name
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GP Medicare Provider Number
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GP signature
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​​Subsequent Referrals (From 1 Nov 2025)
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From the 1st November 2025, there are no mental health specific review items (MBS Items 2712 and 2713 are discontinued).
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Instead, GPs can use standard General Attendance items (e.g., MBS Item 23, 36 etc) to consult with the patient about their mental health, and issue any required re-referral for further psychology sessions.
A patient's Medicare rebate is only dependent on the MHTP date and item number (not the re-referral date). As long as a valid MHTP is in place, rebates will be processed by Medicare. Before processing rebates for patients, it is up to the treating psychologist to ensure that the client has a valid referral letter for each course of treatment.
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