Better Access Mental Health Initiative

The Better Access initiative provides Medicare rebates for eligible Australians to access a first course of treatment 6 services and following a written report from the allied health professional to the referring GP, a referral for the balance of 4 services. This provides patients access to *10 individual and 10 group mental health services each year from GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists.

From 1 November 2025, changes will be made to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), subject to the passage of legislation. 

Consistent with recommendations in the Better Access Evaluation published in 2022, the changes will: 

  • Improve the Better Access initiative to better meet the needs of individuals and improve equity of access to mental health supports and services. 
  • Support the holistic relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider, leading to improved patient outcomes.  
  • Reduce the administrative burden and complexity for GPs and PMPs by providing greater flexibility by using time-tiered professional (general) attendance MBS items to review a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), refer a patient for mental health treatment and undertake general mental health consultations.
  • A Medicare benefit will only be payable for MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen either a GP/PMP at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice or if the patient is not registered with MyMedicare, their usual medical practitioner**. These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician. 
  • GP and PMP MHTP review items (2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, and 92132) and GP and PMP ongoing mental health consultation items (2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133) will be removed from the MBS. 

** A patient’s usual medical practitioner is someone who has provided the majority of services to the person in the past 12 months or who is likely to provide the majority of services to the person in the following 12 months. This includes other GPs and PMPs who are employed at the patient’s usual medical practice.  

Further details can be viewed at MBS Online – Better Access changes from 1 November 2025. 

You can find more information about MyMedicare here. 

  • Removal of the 12 review and mental health consultation items provides GPs and PMPs greater flexibility to use the most appropriate time-tiered professional (general) attendance item, reflecting the time spent with patients. This includes items for longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive to review MHTPs and deliver mental health care and support to patients.  
  • Any MHTP referral dated prior to 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral (within the maximum session limit for the course of treatment) have been delivered to the patient. 
  • The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP/PMP telehealth items for MHTPs, with these services no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025 in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.  
  • These changes do not affect focussed psychological strategies which can continue to be available to any patient from any eligible GP and eligible PMP who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration. 
  • Treatment services referred to under the Better Access Initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support. 

Information on other free or low-cost Commonwealth funded mental health treatment services can be found at: Medicare Mental Health or contact WentWest via support@wentwest.com.au for referral options in your region or to learn more about the Stepped Care Model.  

  • Changes to the current arrangements apply to new MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a patient’s MHTP, dated on or after 1 November 2025
  • For these items, a Medicare benefit will only be payable for treatment services when a patient has seen either a GP or PMP at the patient’s MyMedicare practice or their usual medical provider
  • Referrals dated prior 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral have been delivered to the patient

Changes do not affect:

  • Treatment services provided to patients who have been referred for a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan
  • A direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or an eligible paediatrician
  • Mental health case conferencing MBS items
  • Reporting requirements: the allied health professional must continue to provide a written report to the referring practitioner, including recommendations of future management of the patient’s mental disorder

For a detailed summary, visit MBS Online: Changes to the Better Access Initiative  – Arrangements for Eligible Allied Health Professionals

Further details can be viewed at MBS Online – Better Access changes from 1 November 2025.

Webinars

The CQI Mental Health Toolkit supports practices to prepare for the Better Access reforms, integrate MyMedicare, and embed sustainable quality improvement processes. 

The CQI Mental Health Toolkit includes flexible modules designed to guide practices through leadership development, data-driven improvement, and person-centred, team-based care. 

Download CQI Mental Health Toolkit (last updated 6 November 2025).

If you need support, please contact your Primary Care Delivery Officer or email our Virtual Support team at support@wentwest.com.au