Fee Overview

Depending on the nature and scope of your referral goal and pathway, funding avenues may vary. Privately funded/self-referred services are available. Privately funded services are common when available sessions under Medicare have been exhausted for the year, or for certain referral needs that are not covered by a funding body or scheme (e.g. couples counselling). However it is often the case that an individual may wish to utilise a funding scheme or referral pathway to access assessment services. The following information is only general in nature for information-sharing purposes. As different schemes and referral pathways can vary considerably and/or change, this information should not be relied upon and the relevant body and/or relevant legislation should be referred to, as applicable.  

NDIS Participants: We regularly provide NDIS services to self- and plan-managed Participants of all ages. We cannot provide services to agency/NDIA-managed plans. We offer services in-clinic (North Lakes), via outreach (in-home and at-school) and online (via telehealth). Ability works towards maintaining continued awareness of NDIS requirements and enjoy working towards established goals collaboratively with Participants of this scheme. We recognise that the NDIS is not designed to fund supports more appropriately funded or provided by the health system. Ability regularly provides both capacity-building support services as well as assessment services. Common assessments include cognitive and functional assessments which are fully funded under an individual's NDIS Plan to inform planning activities and support recommendations. Given the nature of the assessment/s, these findings may also be relevant and helpful when considered in other contexts, such as participation in allied health services, learning and education. Please visit our 'Contact Us' page to make a referral and/or to book your Intake call.

Medicare: You may be eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP if you are seeking psychological treatment. Unfortunately a MHCP does not cover common assessments (whilst varied alternate funding pathways may be available) or disability services (which are funded under the NDIS). If you have been referred under Medicare (e.g. a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP), you may be eligible for a rebate on the session fee. Due to the costs associated with running a private practice, our practice does not bulk bill. The cost of your appointment will vary depending on the length and nature of the session. In most cases, the session fee is payable at the conclusion of your appointment. At the time of your appointment, full payment of the session fee is required. Where available, a Medicare rebate will be processed within 1-2 business days of the consultation.  When a valid Mental Health Care Plan has been obtained,  a rebate is available for psychological treatment under Medicare of $96.65 (as at July, 2024) for up to 10 sessions per year . The remaining 'gap fee' refers to the monetary difference between the session fee and the Medicare rebate – this is also referred to as the ‘out-of-pocket cost’ which is paid by the client. To be referred under Medicare, make an appointment with your GP for further advice and referral for services. Please note that Medicare strictly prohibits the use of funding towards NDIS services. That is, treatment for 'disability' without psychopathology is specifically precluded and considerable penalties can apply. Due to this, unfortunately services cannot be shared between both schemes or used interchangeably. In the same way, the NDIS services precludes the use of funding for supports more appropriately funded by the health system (i.e., treatment concerns). 

Private Health Insurance: Private health insurance can be used for services where covered by your policy. Unfortunately you cannot use your private health insurance ancillary cover to 'top up' the Medicare rebates for clinical services (e.g., to pay the gap fee). However, if psychology is covered under your policy, you may be eligible to claim a rebate from your provider after service delivery. Please note, Psychology is a service that can be included in the extras cover of Private Health Insurance (unlike psychiatry, which is usually covered under hospital cover). There are likely to be annual limits that apply. To find out more, please consult the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or your Private Health Insurer.

A client or their authorised representative should contact Ability Psychology Services by phone on 1300 229 906 a minimum of 48 business hours (2 business days) prior to the appointment should they wish to cancel or reschedule their appointment. Should this occur under 48 hours, the session cost will be incurred. Please be advised that telehealth (phone/video) appointments are available upon request where a scheduled face to face appointment cannot be facilitated, such as where a Participant or their family is impacted by COVID-19. Where an Ability Psychology Services Staff travels to a client's approved location for their appointment and the client is unable to participate (e.g., does not answer the door), the session cost and travel fee will apply in accordance with the service booked. It is the responsibility of the Participant to communicate via our 1300 229 906 number during business hours where an appointment needs to be cancelled or rescheduled. 

Where cancellations are concurrent, frequent and/or impede on therapeutic progress, Ability reserves the right to suspend future appointments and/or not schedule future appointments at their discretion. Furthermore, Ability does not guarantee a preferred time and/or day, and cannot hold appointment times for periods of extended absence, disengagement or suspended or cancelled services, or otherwise where the client or their representative cannot be contacted to discuss concerns around service provision. This extends to cancellation of services or changes to service delivery as informed by the scope of service delivery, as determined by Ability. Finally, where accounts are overdue Ability will first contact the client to organise payment however future service provision cannot be accommodated where accounts are in arrears.