Medicare Rebates for Family Therapy in Rockingham: A Complete Guide

If you're looking for family therapy in Rockingham and want to understand how Medicare rebates work, you're in the right place. Medicare rebates are available for sessions at Lifeward — and our clinician, Natasha Pekic, is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), making her fully eligible to provide Medicare-rebated mental health sessions.

Many people in Rockingham and the surrounding areas don't realise that family therapy, couples counselling, and individual mental health support can all attract a Medicare rebate under the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme. This guide explains everything you need to know — from getting a referral to understanding how many sessions are covered.

What is the Better Access Scheme?

The Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme is a Federal Government initiative, introduced in 2006, that enables Australians to access subsidised mental health services through Medicare. It forms part of Australia's commitment to making psychological and social support accessible and affordable for individuals and families across the country.

Under the scheme, your GP assesses your mental health needs and, if appropriate, creates a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) — also known as a GP Mental Health Care Plan. This plan includes a referral to an eligible mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or Accredited Mental Health Social Worker.

Who Can Provide Rebated Sessions Under Better Access?

Medicare rebates under the Better Access scheme are available when you see specific allied health professionals. These include:

• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) — registered with the AASW
• Psychologists (general and clinical)
• Occupational therapists with mental health qualifications
• Psychiatrists

Natasha Pekic at Lifeward is an AMHSW — meaning sessions with her are fully eligible for Medicare rebates when you hold a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Does Medicare Cover Family Therapy?

Yes — with important context. Under the Better Access scheme, Medicare rebates apply to individual sessions with an eligible mental health professional. This means that each family member can access rebated sessions individually, provided they each have their own Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP.

Individual Sessions Within Family Therapy

At Lifeward, family therapy often involves a combination of individual and joint sessions. The individual sessions — where a single family member is the identified client — can attract a Medicare rebate. Your clinician will work with you to structure your care in a way that maximises both clinical effectiveness and your access to rebates.

Couples Therapy and Medicare

Couples therapy sessions are not directly rebatable under Medicare, as the rebate applies to individual clinical sessions. However, each partner can hold their own MHTP and access individual rebated sessions that focus on their personal mental health in the context of the relationship. This is a common and clinically sound approach taken at Lifeward.

If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, the best first step is to speak with your GP and then contact Lifeward on 08 9500 2609 — we're happy to guide you through the process.

How to Get a Mental Health Treatment Plan

Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan is a straightforward process. Your GP coordinates this as part of primary care. Here are the steps:

1. Book a longer appointment with your GP — let the receptionist know you'd like to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Standard appointments are too short; request at least a double appointment.
2. Discuss your mental health concerns honestly — your GP will ask about your symptoms, how long you've been experiencing them, and the impact on your daily life. This is a confidential conversation.
3. Your GP completes the MHTP assessment — if appropriate, they will prepare your Mental Health Treatment Plan. The plan documents your needs and goals.
4. You receive a referral to Lifeward — your GP will issue a referral to Natasha Pekic at Lifeward as an AMHSW. Bring this referral to your first appointment.
5. Begin your rebated sessions at Lifeward — contact us on 08 9500 2609 or book online to schedule your first session.

You can also ask your GP about reviewing your plan after your initial sessions — reviews allow you to access additional rebated sessions for the remainder of the calendar year.

How Many Sessions Does Medicare Cover?

Under the Better Access scheme, Medicare currently covers up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year (January to December). Sessions are accessed as follows:

• Initial referral: Your GP can refer you for up to 6 sessions at first.
• Review and further sessions: After your first 6 sessions, you return to your GP for a review of your MHTP. If ongoing support is recommended, your GP can refer you for up to 4 additional sessions — bringing the total to 10 for the calendar year.
• Annual reset: The 10-session entitlement resets at the start of each calendar year. A new MHTP from your GP is required each year.

Medicare Rebate Amounts

The Medicare rebate amount is set by the Federal Government and is reviewed periodically. The current rebate for an AMHSW session under Better Access is published in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Depending on the fee arrangement at Lifeward, you may have little or no out-of-pocket cost. Please contact us or visit our pricing page to confirm current fees and rebate arrangements.

Important: Rebates are claimed per session. If you are bulk billed, Medicare pays the full amount directly to Lifeward. If there is a gap payment, you pay the difference. Lifeward will discuss your individual fee arrangement with you before your first session.

Lifeward's Medicare Eligibility — Natasha Pekic, AMHSW

Lifeward's principal clinician, Natasha Pekic, is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) — a specialist credential recognised by Medicare under the Better Access scheme. She is registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the peak professional body for social workers in Australia.

What Does AMHSW Mean?

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker is a qualified social worker who has met the AASW's rigorous criteria for mental health practice accreditation. This includes postgraduate training, supervised clinical experience, and ongoing professional development in mental health.

AMHSWs are trained in a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and are specifically credentialed to provide Medicare-rebated individual mental health services under the Better Access scheme. Natasha works with individuals, couples, and families presenting with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, and complex family dynamics.

Practice Details

• Clinician: Natasha Pekic, AMHSW (AASW registered)
• Practice: Lifeward Family Therapy
• Address: Unit 5/11 Robinson Road, Rockingham WA 6168
• Phone: 08 9500 2609
• Telehealth: Available for eligible clients

Get in Touch

How to Book a Medicare-Rebated Session at Lifeward Rockingham

Booking a Medicare-rebated session at Lifeward is simple. Here's how the process works:

1. Obtain your Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP (see the steps above).
2. Contact Lifeward — call us on 08 9500 2609 or use our online booking system to request an appointment.
3. Bring your GP referral to your first session, or send it to us in advance.
4. Attend your session — in person at our Rockingham rooms or via telehealth if you prefer.
5. Claim your Medicare rebate — Lifeward handles the Medicare claiming process. We will explain the process at your first appointment.

In-Person and Telehealth Sessions Available

Lifeward offers both in-person appointments at our Rockingham rooms and telehealth sessions for clients who prefer to meet online. Telehealth sessions are also eligible for Medicare rebates under the Better Access scheme, subject to eligibility requirements.

We are conveniently located at Unit 5/11 Robinson Road, Rockingham WA 6168 and serve clients across Rockingham, Baldivis, Secret Harbour, Golden Bay, Safety Bay, and the broader southern suburbs of Perth.

Frequently Asked Questions