Session Fees, Rebates and Referrals

SESSION FEES: The full consultation fee of $300.00 is required to be paid via direct deposit at least 48 hours prior to your session. An invoice will be emailed to you three days before your session. As per Slow Release Psychology policy, if payment is not received, your session will be cancelled.

Please note: The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended 46 to 60-minute consultation fee is $315.00.

PRIVATE HEALTH FUND: You may be able to claim rebates through your Private Health Fund. Please check with your health fund.

REFERRALS: A referral from a GP or any other health care specialist is not required to engage with a psychologist. You can refer yourself by emailing Slow Release Psychology. Private psychology services (attending without a Mental Health Care Plan) do not attract a rebate under Medicare and the full standard consultation fee is payable.

With a valid Mental Health Care Plan, a 50-minute consultation fee is $300.00. The Medicare rebate is $141.85 (this amount increases annually in July). This equates to an out-of-pocket cost of $158.15. Following payment and session attendance, the Medicare rebate is deposited into your nominated bank account by Medicare within 24-48 hours.

Slow Release Psychology does not offer bulk billing.

To be eligible for a partial fee rebate through the Medicare Better Access scheme under a Mental Health Care Plan, you will require a referral from a general practitioner (GP) or psychiatrist. A MHCP allows you to receive a rebate of $131.65 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

The referring practitioner should provide you with:
(a) a referral letter addressed to Jessica Barrett or Slow Release Psychology; and
(b) a copy of the Mental Health Care Plan.

Please provide Jessica with a copy of the GP referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan via email prior to your initial consultation.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice provided are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, equating to $300.00.

Appointments cancelled with less than 25-48 hours notice provided are subject to a 50% cancellation fee, equating to $150.00.

Why do you have a cancellation fee?
Booking an appointment means that we’ve reserved a dedicated one-hour block of time for you, and if you cancel late, it often means that this time cannot be offered to others. This results in a financial impact on the practice.

Unlike brief medical appointments, it is impracticable to fill a psychology appointment that runs for 50—55 minutes at short notice. As such, we have a strict cancellation policy in place to help sustain our business operations and ensure everyone receives the care they need.