The Good Life Psychology is not a crisis clinic. If you are in urgent need of support please contact:

Triple Zero Ph: 000

Lifeline Ph. 131114

Suicide call back service Ph 1300 657 467

Kids Helpline Ph: 1800 55 1800

Parentline Ph: 1300 30 1300

Child Protection After Hours Ph: 131278

Please get in touch by filling out a Enquiry form.

We’ll give you a call to briefly discuss your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and, if you choose to move accept our services, schedule sessions and send out consent forms for you to sign.

You do not need a referral to attend therapy.

If you wish to claim a Medicare rebate, you will need to get a GP referral that is dated before the therapy session. Read below for more information.

Most sessions are 50-60 minutes and cost $230 for individuals.

Fee schedule for assessments vary for each individual and are discussed in depth before commencing though they are based on the cost above. On average an assessment includes 1-2 hours of developmental history interviewing and 2-3 hours of testing, 3-5 hours of integrating survey data and report writing and 1 hour feedback of the findings. Other costs may include school/kinder observations, teacher interviews and additional testing if required.

Payment & Fees

Clients are responsible for covering the cost of services. Invoices are issued after each appointment, and receipts are provided upon payment. Clients can use these receipts to claim any applicable rebates privately.

Medicare Rebates & Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)

Under the Australian Government's Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, Medicare rebates are available for psychological services provided by registered psychologists.

To be eligible, you must obtain a referral from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. If your GP is referring you, they must first prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), so it's recommended to book a longer appointment for this.

With an MHTP, you can claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. An initial 6 sessions are covered, after which a review with your referring practitioner is required before accessing the remaining 4 sessions.

Once the 10-session limit is reached, Medicare rebates will no longer apply, but additional sessions can be attended at full cost. These out-of-pocket expenses will contribute to the Medicare Safety Net.

Important Notes:

• The additional 10 sessions under the COVID-19 Medicare scheme are no longer available.

• Medicare provides a partial rebate of $96.65 per session, while the full session fee is $230, meaning there will be out-of-pocket costs.

Parent Sessions (effective 1st March 2023):
Parents can now claim up to two sessions under their child's Medicare referral. These sessions count towards the child’s 10-session allocation.

Private Health Insurance

Some counselling and assessment services may be covered by private health insurance. Coverage and rebates vary depending on your provider and policy. Please check with your insurer for details on your entitlements.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Individuals with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS care plans can access psychology services. The rebate amount is determined by the NDIS and may cover either the full or partial cost of the appointment.

Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

If you or a family member has been injured in a transport accident, the TAC may cover the cost of psychology services. A claim must be submitted to the TAC before seeking mental health support.

Assistance from the NDIS is not means tested and has no impact on income support such as the Disability Support Pension and Carers Allowance.Source: www.ndis.gov.au

Fees

Self-managed NDIS clients are treated as private paying clients, we issue invoices and clients claim privately. If you are plan or agency managed NDIS clients, please contact us to discuss your circumstances.We are not NDIS registered.

Medicare Rebates

Mental Health Care Plans (MHTP)

Under the Better Access initiative, GPs can refer patients for psychological support. Eligibility is determined by a GP, paediatrician, or psychiatrist, and ongoing monitoring by the referring professional is recommended.

A standard Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) provides an initial 6 therapy sessions. If required, an additional 4 sessions may be approved, allowing for a maximum of 10 claimable sessions per calendar year (previously 20 under the COVID-19 scheme).

Payment & Reimbursement:

• Full payment is required at the end of each session.

• A receipt will be issued for reimbursement purposes.

• We do not process claims directly with Medicare or third parties.

The current Medicare rebate for psychological sessions is $96.65 under the Better Access MHTP. Families who have reached their Medicare Safety Net threshold may be eligible for a higher rebate.

Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) Program

Under the Helping Children with Autism (Medicare) program, children can be referred for assessment, diagnosis, and/or treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) by a consultant paediatrician or psychiatrist.

HCWA Rebates & Services:

• The Medicare rebate for psychological sessions is $96.65 per session.

• Full payment to The Good Life Psychology is required at the end of each consultation, and a receipt will be provided for reimbursement.

• We do not process claims directly with Medicare or third parties.

• Families who have reached their Medicare Safety Net threshold may be eligible for a higher rebate.

Under this initiative, eligible children can access:

• Up to 4 assessment sessions with a psychologist or allied health professionals to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.

• Up to 20 treatment sessions with a psychologist or allied health professionals.

Please note: These sessions are a one-time entitlement per child and not an annual allocation.

Medicare Safety Net Threshold

The Medicare Safety Net Threshold provides financial assistance for individuals and families with high out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-hospital Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) services.

Once the threshold is reached, families may receive higher rebates for eligible services.

Additional Support for ASD Diagnoses:
Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who hold a Centrelink Health Care Card may qualify for a reduced Medicare Safety Net Threshold, helping to offset healthcare costs.

If you need to reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid any cancellation fees.

If you cancel within 24 hours or fail to attend your appointment without notice, the full session fee will apply.

We understand that unexpected situations arise, and we will take extenuating circumstances into consideration.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment

A formal ASD diagnosis requires input from a team of professionals with expertise in autism assessment and diagnosis. It is recommended (thought not essential) that children undergo evaluation by both a psychologist and a speech pathologist or occupational therapist. Once all assessments are completed, a paediatrician typically reviews the findings to confirm the diagnosis.

Our Assessment Process

We tailor assessments to meet the unique needs of each child. We will discuss the most appropriate evaluations for your child, but a comprehensive assessment typically includes:

• Parent Developmental History Interview & Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R): 2 hours

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): 1 hour

• Child Observation in a School or Kindergarten Setting: 1 hour

• Cognitive Assessment (WISC-V, WPPSI-III): Child-only assessment, 1–2 hours (may require two sessions)

• Standardised Questionnaires: Completed online or via interview by parents and caregivers involved in the child's care

• Comprehensive Feedback Session: 1–2 hours at the conclusion of the assessment

Our goal is to provide a thorough and accurate evaluation to guide your child's support and intervention plan.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessment can be a vital step in a child’s care when they display some ASD symptoms.

It is important to note, however, that formal diagnostic assessment does not always need to come before advice, therapy or intervention. In fact, the opposite is increasingly recommended. It is important to get support for presenting concerns and needs as soon as possible, regardless of the child’s developmental diagnosis.

All children presenting with symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should be directed to appropriate intervention providers as soon as concerns arise. This may be through:

• private medical and/or allied health practitioners, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, specialist nurses, paediatricians and child psychiatrists.

• community health providers

• childcare and education-based staff

• hospital-based clinicians such as paediatricians

• the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)

For children aged 0-6 years of age, a diagnosis is not required to access most private or funded interventions for children presenting with social and more complex developmental concerns. Please see

• https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/how-ecei-works-step-step-proces

In 2018, our first national guideline for autism assessment in Australia was published. Please see

• https://www.autismcrc.com.au/knowledge-centre/resource/national-guideline

(this advice is from the Royal Children’s Hospital website: https://www.rch.org.au/autism/autism_assessment/Autism_assessment_ages_0-6/)

Report Turnaround Time Disclaimer

Please note that the completion of a psychological report can take up to four weeks. This timeframe ensures that we conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment, carefully analyse all available information, and formulate well-considered conclusions. Writing a detailed report involves integrating assessment results, clinical observations, and relevant background information to provide accurate and meaningful insights. Additionally, we may seek peer supervision or consultation to ensure the highest professional standards and the most appropriate recommendations for each client. Our priority is to deliver a report that is precise, evidence-based, and tailored to the individual's needs, which requires careful review and thoughtful formulation. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this essential process.Item description