Getting a psychiatry referral from your GP

Summary

• Medicare rebates for psychiatry require a valid referral from a GP or other referring practitioner.
• A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a different document. It supports psychology sessions, not psychiatry.
• A GP referral to a named psychiatrist generally runs for 12 months from the first appointment; a referral from another specialist generally runs for three.
• Ask your GP to address the referral to the psychiatrist, and ask whether they can prescribe ADHD medication themselves.

The document you actually need

To attract a Medicare rebate for a psychiatry consultation, you need a referral from a referring practitioner, usually your GP. This is different from a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which is what supports subsidised psychology sessions. People frequently arrive with the wrong one, and the result is an appointment that cannot be rebated.

What to ask for

Ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist for assessment. It should include your details, the reason for referral, the date, and your GP's provider number and signature. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment, say so, so the referral reflects it.

While you are there, ask one more question: are you able to prescribe ADHD medication? Not all GPs hold the state or territory authorisation required to prescribe Schedule 8 stimulants, and it shapes what your ongoing care can look like. See what a psychiatrist can and cannot do about medication.

How long a referral lasts

A referral from a GP to a named specialist generally lasts 12 months from the date of the first consultation. A referral from another specialist generally lasts three months. Referrals can be made indefinite in some circumstances, at the referring practitioner's discretion. If your referral lapses mid-course, later consultations may not attract a rebate until it is renewed.

If you do not have a regular GP

Any GP can write a referral, including at a bulk-billing or telehealth clinic. It helps to give them enough history to write something meaningful rather than a single line.

Frequently asked questions

Can Updoc write my referral for me?

A referral must come from your referring practitioner. Updoc is a platform, not your treating GP, and cannot issue a referral on their behalf.

Does a referral guarantee a rebate?

No. Eligibility depends on the item claimed and your Medicare status. For psychiatry, Updoc does not lodge Medicare claims on your behalf. See how to claim your rebate through myGov.

What if my GP is unsure what to write?

A referral for psychiatric assessment, addressed to the psychiatrist, is the standard form. Your GP is best placed to word it.

Important: This is general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Referral and rebate rules are set by Medicare and can change. If you are in crisis, call Lifeline 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.