Making Referrals to the Victorian Psychology Clinic
GPs are welcome to refer clients to The Victorian Psychology Clinic for psychological therapy, assessment or other appropriate services.
Referrals may be addressed to a specific psychologist, or to The Victorian Psychology Clinic more broadly. Where a referral is not addressed to a specific practitioner, VPC can help match the client with a psychologist based on their needs, preferences, practitioner suitability and current availability.
Referrals, Mental Health Treatment Plans and Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans can be emailed to support@vicpsychclinic.com.au or faxed to 03 8692 6558.
Please see below for information about referrals under Mental Health Treatment Plans and Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans.
Fees
VPC is a privately billed clinic and does not currently offer bulk billing.
Fees vary depending on the practitioner, appointment type and funding pathway. As a general guide, individual therapy fees at VPC range from $225–$265 for a 50-minute consultation within business hours, and $245-$285 for a 50-minute consultation outside of business hours.
Appointments may be available during business hours, after hours and on Saturdays, depending on practitioner availability.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plans
The below information has been adapted from current Better Access information for general practitioners and referrers.
The Better Access initiative allows eligible clients to access Medicare rebates for psychological treatment services with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral.
Under Better Access, eligible clients may access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual mental health treatment sessions per calendar year. Group therapy sessions may also be available and are counted separately.
From 1 November 2025, Mental Health Treatment Plans, referrals and reviews need to be completed by either:
• a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice; or
– the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
A patient’s usual medical practitioner may be someone who has provided most of their care over the past 12 months, or someone who is likely to provide most of their care over the next 12 months.
Dedicated MHTP review item numbers have been removed. Reviews and ongoing mental health support are now completed using the appropriate time-tiered general attendance items.
When referring to VPC, please include the client’s Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral letter, including the number of sessions being referred for, relevant clinical information and any risk considerations.
Patient eligibility for mental health treatment
To be eligible for Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, a patient must have a clinically diagnosed mental disorder, require a moderate level of support, and be likely to benefit from a structured approach to the management of their care needs.
Under current Better Access requirements, Mental Health Treatment Plans, referrals and reviews need to be completed by either:
• a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice; or
• the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
A patient’s usual medical practitioner may be someone who has provided most of their care over the past 12 months, or someone who is likely to provide most of their care over the next 12 months.
GPs should use their clinical judgement to determine whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral for psychological therapy is appropriate. If referring to VPC, please include relevant clinical information, risk considerations, the number of sessions being referred for, and any client preferences that may assist with matching the client to a suitable psychologist.
Eligible mental health presentations
The Better Access initiative applies to a broad range of clinically diagnosed mental disorders. GPs should use their clinical judgement to determine whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral for psychological therapy is appropriate.
Psychologists consulting at VPC support clients with a range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, adjustment difficulties, stress, grief, sleep difficulties, substance use concerns and other mental health concerns.
If you are unsure whether VPC is an appropriate referral option for a client, please contact the clinic before referring.
Referral letters
A valid referral is required for clients to access Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan.
A copy of a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan can be helpful, but it does not replace the need for a signed and dated referral letter.
For Mental Health Treatment Plan referrals, please include the number of sessions being referred for. Eligible clients may access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual mental health treatment sessions per calendar year.
For Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan referrals, please include the relevant plan and referral details, including the number of sessions being referred for.
Following a course of treatment, the treating psychologist may provide correspondence to the referring practitioner regarding client progress and ongoing treatment needs.
What to include in referral letters
There is no standard mental health referral template; however, referrals must be signed and dated.
Referral letters must include the client’s:
– Name
– Date of birth
– Address
– Contact details
– Relevant symptoms, diagnosis or presenting concerns
– Number of sessions being referred for
– Funding pathway, such as Mental Health Treatment Plan or Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan
– Referring practitioner details and provider number
Please also include any risk considerations or additional information that may assist with triage and matching the client to an appropriate psychologist.
Referral validity
Referrals are valid for the number of services stated in the referral.
Mental Health Treatment Plan sessions reset each calendar year, but a referral does not automatically reset. If the referred sessions have been used, the client may need to return to their GP or medical practitioner for a review or new referral.
Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans operate over a 12-month period and have specific review requirements. The referring practitioner should confirm the client’s current eligibility and remaining sessions.
What services can I provide and claim for with regards to the Better Access Initiative?
Under Better Access, GPs and prescribed medical practitioners can prepare Mental Health Treatment Plans and refer eligible clients for psychological treatment services.
From 1 November 2025, Mental Health Treatment Plans, referrals and reviews need to be completed by either:
• a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice; or
• the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
A patient’s usual medical practitioner may be someone who has provided most of their care over the past 12 months, or someone who is likely to provide most of their care over the next 12 months.
Dedicated Mental Health Treatment Plan review and ongoing mental health consultation item numbers have been removed. Reviews and ongoing mental health support should now be billed using the appropriate time-tiered general attendance items.
Eligible clients may access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual mental health treatment sessions per calendar year. Please include the number of sessions being referred for in the referral letter.
For current MBS item numbers and billing rules, please refer to MBS Online or Services Australia.
Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans
Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans, sometimes referred to as EDPs or EDTMPs, allow eligible clients to access Medicare rebates for eating disorder treatment services.
Eligible clients may access up to 40 eating disorder psychological treatment services and up to 20 dietetic services over a 12-month period.
Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plans support a multidisciplinary approach to care and may involve GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians, psychologists, dietitians and other eligible health professionals.
When referring to VPC under an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, please include the client’s plan and referral letter, the number of sessions being referred for, relevant clinical information and any review requirements.
For current eligibility criteria, MBS item information and referral requirements, please refer to MBS Online, Services Australia or the National Eating Disorders Collaboration.
Who is eligible for an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan?
How to make a referral
To refer a client under an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, please provide the client’s plan and a signed referral letter.
The referral should include the client’s details, diagnosis or presenting concerns, number of sessions being referred for, and any relevant clinical information that may assist with triage and matching the client to an appropriate psychologist.
Under an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, eligible clients may access up to 40 eating disorder psychological treatment services and up to 20 dietetic services over a 12-month period, subject to review requirements.
After an initial course of treatment, the treating psychologist may provide correspondence to the referring practitioner regarding client progress and ongoing treatment needs.
Please refer to MBS Online, Services Australia or the National Eating Disorders Collaboration for current eligibility, review and referral requirements.
The flowchart below provides an overview of the referral and review process.
Please note: The flowchart above is intended as a general guide. Referrers should consult current Medicare and MBS requirements when preparing referrals and reviews.
EDP item numbers:
| Discipline | Item Number | Item Number Description |
| GP without Mental Health Training | (1) 90250 | (1) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training. At least 20 minutes but <40 minutes |
| (2) 90251 | (2) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training. At least 40 minutes | |
| GP with Mental Health Training | (1) 90252 | (1) EDP preparation by a GP with mental health training at least 20 minutes but <40 minutes |
| (2) 90253 | (2) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training at least 40 minutes | |
| Other Medical Practitioner without Mental Health Training | (1) 90254 | (1) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) without mental health training. At least 20 but <40 minutes |
| (2) 90255 | (2) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) without mental health training. At least 40 minutes | |
| Other Medical Practitioner with Mental Health Training | (1) 90256 | (1) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) with mental health training. At least 20 but <40 minutes. |
| (2) 90257 | (2) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) with mental health training. At least 40 minutes. | |
| Consultant Psychiatrist | (1) 90260 | (1) EDP preparation in consulting rooms with a consultant psychiatrist. At least 45 minutes. |
| (2) 90262 | (2) EDP preparation by video conference with a consultant psychiatrist. At least 45 minutes. | |
| Consultant Paediatrician | (1) 90261 | (1) EDP preparation in consulting rooms with a consultant paediatrician. At least 45 minutes. |
| (2) 90263 | (2) EDP preparation by video conference with a consultant paediatrician. At least 45 minutes. |
Item Number:
(1) 90250 (2) 90251
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training. At least 20 minutes but <40 minutes.
(2) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training. At least 40 minutes.
Item Number:
(1) 90252 (2) 90253
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP preparation by a GP with mental health training at least 20 minutes but <40 minutes.
(2) EDP preparation by a GP without mental health training at least 40 minutes.
Item Number:
(1) 90254 (2) 90255
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) without mental health training. At least 20 but <40 minutes.
(2) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) without mental health training. At least 40 minutes.
Item Number:
(1) 90256 (2) 90257
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) with mental health training. At least 20 but <40 minutes.
(2) EDP preparation by a medical practitioner (not including a general practitioner, specialist or consultant physician) with mental health training. At least 40 minutes.
Item Number:
(1) 90261 (2) 90263
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP preparation in consulting rooms with a consultant paediatrician. At least 45 minutes.
(2) EDP preparation by video conference with a consultant paediatrician. At least 45 minutes.
| Discipline | Item Number | Item Number Description |
| GP | 90264 | EDP review by General Practitioner |
| Medical Practitioner | 90265 | EDP review by Medical Practitioner |
| Consultant Psychiatrist | (1) 90266 | (1) EDP review in consulting room by Consultant Psychiatrist. At least 30 minutes. |
| (2) 90268 | (2) EDP review by video conference by Consultant Psychiatrist. At least 30 minutes. | |
| Consultant Paediatrician | (1) 90267 | (1) EDP review in consulting room by Consultant Paediatrician. At least 20 minutes. |
| (2) 90269 | (2) EDP review by video conference in consulting room by Consultant Paediatrician. At least 20 minutes. |
Item Number: 90264
Item Number Description: EDP review by General Practitioner
Item Number: 90265
Item Number Description: EDP review by Medical Practitioner
Item Number:
(1) 90266 (2) 90268
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP review in consulting room by Consultant Psychiatrist. At least 30 minutes.
(2) EDP review by video conference by Consultant Psychiatrist. At least 30 minutes.
Item Number:
(1) 90267 (2) 90269
Item Number Description:
(1) EDP review in consulting room by Consultant Paediatrician. At least 20 minutes.
(2) EDP review by video conference in consulting room by Consultant Paediatrician. At least 20 minutes.