Australians can now access free mental health support through new Medicare service
The early mental health support service Australians can access through a new federal government initiative is now free.
The first phase, the Medicare Mental Health Check In programme, gives Australians access to free mental health therapy.
According to a survey commissioned by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 64 per cent of respondents think mental health support is unaffordable.
Similar to a GP check-in, the Medicare Mental Health Check-In helps Australians prevent symptoms from escalating.
Provides guided support through sessions via video or phone call to help manage anxiety, bad mood and daily challenges.
“By helping people with mild or temporary difficulties, we will prevent more serious difficulties and free up capacity in the mental health system for those with deep-seated difficulties,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.
The second phase is free low-intensity cognitive behavioral therapy, accessed via telehealth and available without GP referral.
Australians will be able to access the service from April 1, allowing anyone living in Australia aged 16 and over to use the service if they are eligible after an initial telephone assessment.
Between 2023 and 2024, approximately 2.7 million Australians received 12.6 million Medicare mental health services.
Around 43 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 85 also report experiencing mental illness at some point in their lives.
The new free service is funded by the Albanian government and delivered in partnership with St Vincent’s Health Australia and is expected to support more than 150,000 people each year from 2029.
“Medicare Mental Health Check-In is a groundbreaking development for mental health support in Australia, ensuring everyone has access to free, quality mental health support,” said St Vincent’s chief executive Chris Blake.
