Breaking Barriers: Low-Cost & Free Counselling Services in Melbourne
Navigating mental health support can feel overwhelming, especially when financial constraints add extra stress. There are two ways which can make accessing psychological services more affordable — Medicare and private health cover.
Accessing Psychological Services Through Medicare
Under the Medicare system, eligible individuals can access rebates for sessions with registered psychologists and clinical psychologists. The current rebate is $96 for psychologists and $141 for clinical psychologists.
To get started:
Visit your GP whether you are eligible for a referral and mental health treatment plan
Receive a referral for psychological services and forward it to our admin team at mindbodyheartpsychology@gmail.com
Claim up to 10 free psychology sessions per calendar year
Using Private Health Insurance
You may be able to claim a part of the fee you paid for accessing psychological/counselling services if you are on private health insurance with extra cover. If you are an overseas student with OSHC, you may also eligible for partial of the fees you paid for psychological/counselling services. Please get in touch with your insurance provider to get more information e.g. the amount of rebate.
Other Free/Low-Cost Counselling Services
There are other free or low-cost counselling services available around Melbourne such services provided by community centres, university clinics, online/phone counselling services, and more. Please see below a list we have put together for your information.
Community-Based Support Services
CAREinMIND™ mental health services
Phone: (03) 9088 4277 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday
Website: https://nwmphn.org.au/our-work/mental-health/careinmind-mental-health-services/
About: CAREinMIND can provide free mental health services for people of all ages who: cannot afford (or are ineligible for) other local services; are experiencing mental health stress from mild to severe; live, work or study in the north western Melbourne area.
Catholic Care Victoria
Phone: 1800 123 228
Website: https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/services/mental-health/counselling/
About: Affordable and confidential counselling for people of all ages. Work with individuals, families and couples from all cultural and religious backgrounds.
CoHealth
Phone: 03 9448 5521
Website: https://www.cohealth.org.au/service-category/counselling/
About: Provides free or low-cost counselling depending on income for referrals within the Cities of Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Moonee Valley & Yarra
Employee Assistance Program
Website: https://eapaa.org.au/site/
About: An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to enhance the emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing of all employees and includes services for immediate family members. Contact your employer for more information regarding accessing EAP.
headspace
Website: https://headspace.org.au
About: headspace can help young people aged between 12 - 25 with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. headspace also provides phone and online support.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs
Phone: 1300 375 330 (9 am to 8 pm weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm Saturday). Some Hubs are available for walk-ins.
Website: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-hubs
About: Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs can help you with a range of different issues, including lowered mood, anxiety, substance use or addiction, or any distress you may have. The Hubs can also support people to address life stressors such as homelessness, financial difficulties and social isolation.
Relationships Victoria
Website: https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/counselling/
About: Relationships Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation providing support for relationships and wellbeing for individuals and couples . Fees are charged based on income.
Uniting Vic.Tas
Website: https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/mental-health/counselling/
About: Counselling services based in Melbourne, Wimmera, Ballarat and Geelong. Contact local centres for more information.
Counselling Services Provided by Universities/Institutes
ACU Psychology Clinic
Phone: (03) 9953 3006
Location: Level 5/17-29 Young St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Cairnmillar Institute Community Clinic
Phone: 1800 391 393 (press 2 for the clinic)
Website: https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/clinic/community-clinic/
Location: four locations including Hawthorn, Melbourne CBD, North Melbourne, Dandenong
La Trobe Psychology Clinic
Phone: (03) 9479 2150
Website: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/psychology-clinic
Location: 1 Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora VIC 3083
RMIT Health Clinic
Phone: (03) 9925 7666
Website: https://www.rmit.edu.au/healthclinic
Location: Level 3, 30 Janefield Drive Bundoora 3083
Swinburne Psychology Clinic
Phone: (03) 9925 7666
Email: psychclinic@swin.edu.au
Website: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/centres-groups-clinics/swinburne-psychology-clinic/
Location: The George Swinburne Building, 34 Wakefield St, Hawthorn VIC 3122
University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic
Phone: (03) 9035 5180
Email: clinic-psych@unimelb.edu.au
Website: https://psychology.mthc.com.au
Location: Level 2, 138-146 Cardigan Street, Carlton, VIC 3053
Victoria University Psychology Clinic
Phone: 03 9919 2353
Email: vupc@vu.edu.au
Website: https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/facilities-services/our-services/health-clinics/psychology-clinic
Location: 47 Paisley Street, Footscray VIC 3011
Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Helplines
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Web Chat: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Kids Helpline
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Web Chat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling
Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
Web Chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
MensLine
Phone: 1300 789 978
Web Chat: https://mensline.org.au/
Psychiatric Triage – North West Mental Health Region
Phone: 1300 874 243
SuicideLine Victoria
Phone: 1300 651 251
Web Chat: https://suicideline.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service (National Service)
Phone: 1300 659 467
Web Chat: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Services
1800RESPECT
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Phone: 1800 806 292 (24/7 crisis phone support)
Website: http://www.casahouse.com.au/
Safe Steps Family Violence (formerly Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service)
Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7 helpline)
Website: https://www.safesteps.org.au/
GenWest
Phone: 1800 436 937
Website: https://genwest.org.au
Eating Disorder Services
Butterfly Foundation
Phone: 1800 33 4673 (National Helpline)
Website: https://butterfly.org.au
LGBTQIA+ Services
QLife / Switchboard Victoria
Phone: 1800 184 527
Website: https://qlife.org.au
Queer Space
Phone: 03 9663 6733
Website: https://www.queerspace.org.au
Perinatal Mental Health Services
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)
Phone: 1300 726 306 (Mon - Sat)
Website: https://panda.org.au/
Substance-related Services
ACCESS Health & Community
Phone: 03 9810 3000
Website: https://accesshc.org.au/services/alcohol-and-other-drugs-counselling-melbourne/
DirectLine
Phone: 1800 888 236
Website: https://www.directline.org.au/
About: Confidential alcohol & drug counselling and referral in Victoria