Medicare rebates for psychology have been available since November 1, 2006. Two categories of service are available - "general" psychology services and "specialist" clinical psychology services.
Both general and specialist psychology Medicare items can be provided to people with "an assessed mental disorder" that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan, or for treatment of a child, on direct referral from a psychiatrist or a paediatrician.
"An assessed mental disorder" includes the following:
All psychology Medicare services are limited to a maximum of 10 individual sessions per client per calendar year, with a review by the referring doctor required after the initial six sessions. In addition, clients will also be eligible for 12 group session services, where appropriate, in a calendar year.
For more information, go to http://www.psychology.org.au/ and look at the Medicare information there.