Policies & Fees
The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) recommended hourly rate for the 2025-2026 financial year is $330. Echidna Psychology provides services at $260 per session, significantly below this recommendation. Our rates are subject to change. If financial circumstances make these fees difficult to manage, please discuss this with your psychologist, or we can recommend alternative service providers. We require payment in full prior to your appointment on the day of service. Our practice processes Medicare rebates directly for you using secure, encrypted software. Credit card details are stored on file for automated processing at the time of your appointment; this information remains invisible to our team, with only the last four digits visible for verification. We also accept alternative payment methods, such as direct deposit. When clients opt for this service they will need to submit their own Medicare rebate request online.
If you are using a Private Health Fund, please confirm your level of cover for psychological services and any expected out-of-pocket costs with your provider. Clients are responsible for paying the full fee to the practice and then seeking reimbursement directly through their own health fund.
Cancellation Policy
When you book an appointment, that time is reserved exclusively for you. If you cancel at short notice, we are often unable to offer the spot to another client. For this reason, Echidna Psychology maintains a strict cancellation policy.
We require at least 48 hours’ notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Failure to provide this notice will result in 50% of the session being charged. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will result in the full cost of the session being charged. Please be aware that Medicare and health fund rebates cannot be claimed for missed or late-cancelled appointments, and payment remains your personal responsibility.
Confidentiality and limits
Our psychologists adhere to the AHPRA Code of Conduct for psychologists, and maintaining your privacy is a core priority at Echidna Psychology. You can expect all information shared with your psychologist to be kept in the strictest confidence and stored securely on fully encrypted health practice management systems.
There are however specific legal and ethical exceptions where confidentiality may be limited to ensure your safety or the safety of others. These exceptions include if you disclose:
- Potential risk of harm to yourself or someone else;
- Potential risk of harm to you from another person;
- A serious crime that mandates notification;
- Records being subpoenaed by a court of law;
- With your written consent to share information with another professional or agency;
- If your psychologist is incapacitated, another elected psychologist will support you in providing referral options in accordance with AHPRA's Code of Conduct for psychologists;
- If disclosure is otherwise required by law.
If we must breach confidentiality, we will make every effort to notify you beforehand and to explain the rationale. Where appropriate and possible, we will discuss the details of the disclosure with you in a safe and supportive manner.
In Australia, all psychologists are legally required by the Psychology Board of Australia to participate in professional supervision. During these sessions, de-identified information regarding clinical presentations is shared respectfully for professional development and case review. Supervisors are held to the same strict confidentiality and ethical standards. Your personal identifying details are always removed during supervision to preserve your privacy and trust.
Consultations (Therapy)
Each therapy session is 50 minutes long. Your initial consultation will include a thorough assessment of your current challenges and history, helping your psychologist to understand the factors contributing to your distress and your goals for therapy. We will also discuss confidentiality and its limitations at this first appointment so you can ask any clarifying questions.
Ongoing sessions are also 50 minutes, during which evidence-based treatments will be tailored to your therapeutic goals. We emphasize a collaborative approach, and will regularly review your progress together. Please ensure that you arrive on time as sessions that start late must still conclude at the scheduled time to respect clients attending subsequent appointments, and the full session fee will apply.
Assessments
Assessment sessions do not attract Medicare rebates, so fees are the responsibility of the parties attending. Fees are payable at the time of service and are non-negotiable. We recommend checking with your private health fund to see if they reimburse assessments. Assessment costs are calculated based on the total hours required for testing and report writing.
Child Client Policy
At Echidna Psychology, we prioritize the emotional and psychological wellbeing of children. When providing services to a minor, the child is our primary client. Parents are considered client-parents who collaborate with the psychologist to support the child’s treatment goals. We typically require the consent of both parents to provide services to those under 18; exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis within legal and ethical frameworks. In accordance with AHPRA's Code of Conduct, the child’s best interests are paramount in all clinical decisions.
Separated Parents Policy
It is the responsibility of the parents to provide our practice with copies of any relevant legal documents or court orders.
We encourage parents to maintain active communication regarding administrative matters such as bookings and payments. The psychologist is not responsible for updating each parent individually on scheduling or treatment matters; parents are expected to coordinate these details between themselves.
Both parents are welcome to attend appointments. If an appointment is booked by one parent, it is their responsibility to inform and invite the other parent. Attending parents are encouraged to share clinical updates from the session with the other parent to ensure consistency of care.
Each parent may also schedule parent-only consultations to discuss their child’s needs privately. Please note that information shared in these individual sessions is confidential and cannot be disclosed to the other parent without consent.
Full payment is required on the day of the appointment. If cost-sharing agreements exist between parents, the parent who attends the session is responsible for settling the account and managing any subsequent reimbursement from the other party.
Communication between sessions
We aim to keep communication via email and telephone between sessions to a minimum and strictly for administrative matters. Any extensive clinical updates or concerns shared via email will be reserved for discussion during your next scheduled consultation.
Court reports
Echidna Psychology does not provide reports, letters, or assessments for court purposes, nor do we offer opinions on custody matters. These tasks fall within specialized forensic psychology; if you require these services, we can refer you to a more appropriate provider.
Emergencies
Echidna Psychology is not a crisis service and cannot respond to urgent messages or calls outside of our business hours. Because our psychologists are often in sessions, we may not be able to answer your call immediately. If you are experiencing a crisis, suicide ideation, or require emergency support, please contact a dedicated crisis service or call emergency services directly
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call-Back Service: 1300 659 467
- 13 Yarn: 13 92 76
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Parenline: 1300 30 1300
- Mental Health Crisis Support - Redland Hospital: 07 3488 3082
- Emergency Services: 000
Patient Referrals
You do not require a referral to see a psychologist. However, to claim Medicare rebates, a valid referral from your GP is necessary. Echidna Psychology offers several referral pathways; if you are unsure which applies to you, please contact our practice. We are here to help you understand and obtain the most suitable referral for your needs.
Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
An MHTP is the most common referral pathway. This outlines your current symptoms and diagnoses, as well as the personal challenges you are experiencing and relevant family history. Your GP will develop this plan if, following this consultation, they determine you meet the criteria for Medicare rebates for psychological services.
Obtaining Your MHTP
Once completed by your GP, the plan grants access to Medicare rebates for an initial six individual sessions and ten group therapy sessions. Upon finishing these first six individual visits, you may be eligible for a further four individual sessions after a review and re-referral from your doctor. This provides access to a total of ten rebated individual and ten group sessions per calendar year. You do not need a prior mental health diagnosis to discuss the possibility of starting a plan with your doctor.
Your doctor will determine your eligibility based on the issues you are currently facing. If you wish to speak to them about an MHTP, remember to request a long consultation at your medical practice. This allows your GP sufficient time to discuss your wellbeing, assess your requirements, and complete the necessary administrative tasks correctly.
In this consultation, it is important to be open as possible about your feelings and experiences; this will help your GP to understand your needs and provide accurate recommendations for support. With a clear understanding of your situation, they can refer you to a clinician with the most relevant expertise. Your doctor might also ask you to complete a brief rating scale for your symptoms during the visit; answering these questions truthfully helps ensure you receive the most appropriate support pathway.
The Benefits of Having an MHTP
An MHTP can support your journey by opening a discussion of your current mental health to help track and monitor your progress, and by making professional support more affordable via Medicare rebates.
Please note that while Medicare rebates significantly reduce the cost of these sessions, a 'gap fee' usually applies.
You are welcome to attend our practice as a private client without a referral from a GP or other medical professional. While Medicare rebates are not available for private consultations, there is no limit to the number of sessions you may access. Some clients may also be able to access some private health extras for psychological support. Please check with your private health fund to see if you can claim rebates for psychological services.