The referral pathways guide
Read with intention
Meet the cliniciansPsychology for older adults, at your pace.
Later life brings its own changes, from retirement and health to caring, loss and living alone. You can see a psychologist at any age, in Parramatta or by telehealth.
Support in later life, and how it’s funded.
There is no upper age limit for Medicare’s mental health sessions.
People 65 and over
And the family members or carers who help them arrange it.
- Adults 65 and over, living at home
- A family member or carer can book on someone’s behalf, with their agreement
- In Parramatta, or by telehealth from home
A Mental Health Treatment Plan
The same Medicare sessions as any adult.
- Rebates for up to 10 individual sessions a calendar year
- The plan comes from your usual GP
- Or book privately, with no referral
If you have a Support at Home plan
Psychology is listed as a clinical support under Support at Home, which has no client contribution.
- Mind Health does not yet provide services through Support at Home
- Where a Mental Health Treatment Plan can cover psychology, that is used first
- Ask your provider, or call us to talk through the options
How it starts.
Three steps, and a family member can help with any of them.
- 1
See your GP
For Medicare rebates, ask your usual GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can start privately while you arrange it.
Step one - 2
Book with us
Request an appointment or call 1300 084 200. We match you with a clinician who works with older adults.
Step two - 3
Your first session
In our Parramatta rooms or by telehealth. Your clinician gets to know what is happening and you decide together what comes next.
Step three
Fees and rebates.
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare pays a rebate for each session and there is usually a gap. Concession fees are on our fees page.
Check in with yourself.
Free, private tools to try before or alongside sessions. They are not a diagnosis.
Free · 5 to 10 min
Take the Mind Health Check
Short questionnaires, scored privately in your browser. We have ticked the ones most related to this page, and you can change them.
Fact sheet: Loneliness and connection
A plain-language guide with practical steps. Free to download.
Try this week
- Plan one social contact each day, even a short phone call.
- Stay active in a way that suits you, such as a daily walk.
- Keep a regular routine for meals and sleep.
Need help now? Our urgent help page has who to call, day and night.
Before you book, answered.
Is it normal to feel low as I get older?
Do I need a referral?
Is there an age limit for Medicare sessions?
Can a family member book for me?
What about memory concerns?
Can I have sessions by phone or video?
Can you help with grief?
Can I use my Support at Home plan?
Talk to someone who has time.
Tell us a little about what is going on, or ask a family member to get in touch with us for you.
