The Australian Greens have announced a plan to include unlimited mental health care in Medicare, addressing the increasing mental health needs fueled by Australia’s cost-of-living crisis. Funded by new taxes on large corporations, the Greens’ proposal aims to reduce financial barriers to mental health services and provide relief to Australians facing mental health challenges.
Currently, under the Better Access Scheme, Australians can access up to ten subsidized sessions per year, a limit halved from the previous twenty sessions. This cap has led to a reduction of nearly 250,000 subsidized psychologist visits annually. The Greens’ plan intends to remove this cap, allowing for unlimited mental health sessions on Medicare.
Key elements of the plan include:
Unlimited Medicare-Covered Mental Health Sessions: Australians will be able to access an unlimited number of clinically recommended mental health appointments.
Free Psychologist Sessions at 1,000 Local Clinics: Clinics across the nation will offer no-cost services from publicly-employed psychologists, general practitioners, and nurses.
Increased Medicare Rebates: A minimum rebate of $150 per session with registered psychologists will be implemented, making mental health care more accessible and affordable.
Expanded Workforce Support: Provisional psychologists will be eligible for Medicare-subsidized sessions, and the number of peer workers, including 1,000 First Nations peer workers, will increase, offering more care options for those who need mental health support without clinical intervention.
South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young voiced strong support, noting, “Our plan will allow Australians to access the mental healthcare they need without financial worry.” The Greens’ comprehensive healthcare reforms, including dental and general practitioner services under Medicare, will be a focus in the upcoming election, especially if Parliament remains in a minority.
The plan also proposes six free local healthcare clinics in every electorate, enhancing community access to mental health resources. The Greens argue that the initiative will contribute to a stronger universal healthcare system and encourage a shift away from the policies of the major parties, promoting affordable mental health care as a fundamental right.
Related topics:
