If you’re eligible and hold a valid referral, Medicare rebates can reduce the cost of seeing a psychiatrist online. Here’s how it works.
Request an appointmentSee your GP and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. GP referrals to a specialist are typically valid for 12 months.
Submit a request with Updoc and provide your referral during intake. You’ll receive an email detailing the forms to complete before booking.
If you’re eligible, a Medicare rebate can be claimed on rebateable consultations, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
Figures from MBS Online (schedule fees updated 1 July 2026) for out-of-hospital services. Medicare items and amounts are set by the Australian Government and change from time to time. The item billed depends on your consultation and is determined by your psychiatrist, so your rebate may differ. Higher rebates can apply once you reach the Medicare Safety Net.
Medicare eligibility is assessed by Services Australia, not Updoc. If you’re unsure about your circumstances, your GP or Services Australia can confirm what you can claim.
You can consult a psychiatrist without one, but Medicare rebates only apply to eligible consultations with a valid referral. Without one, the full consultation fee applies.
It depends on the Medicare item billed and your circumstances, for example whether you’ve reached the Medicare Safety Net. You’ll always see the full consultation fee before you book.
No. Mental Health Treatment Plans relate to psychology sessions. For psychiatry, a standard referral from your GP is what makes eligible consultations rebateable.
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