From 1 November 2025, changes will be made to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, 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 General Practitioners (GPs) and Prescribed Medical Practitioners (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.
Overview of changes
From 1 November 2025:
- A Medicare benefit will be payable for MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen:
- a GP or PMP at the general practice in which the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, or
- regardless of whether the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, by the patient’s 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. General Practitioners (GPs) and Prescribed Medical Practitioners (PMPs) will use time-tiered MBS items to review, refer and/or provide ongoing mental health consultation for a patient’s mental health.
- The exemption from the Established Clinical Relationship requirement for MHTP telehealth item numbers will cease.
- Better Access telehealth focused psychological strategy treatment services provided by GPs and PMPs will continue to be exempt from the established clinical relationship rule.
Resources
Important updates and information
From 1 November 2025, changes will be made to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, subject to the passage of legislation.
