Better Access initiative

The Better Access initiative and the role of GPs

 

In 2006, the Commonwealth Government introduced Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative. Better Access aims to improve health outcomes through targeted treatment of people with a clinically diagnosed mental illness.
 

How does the Better Access initiative work?
In order to access these sessions, patients will be required to:

• received a valid referral
• have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (GP MHTP)
• have used all of their 10 sessions in a calendar year
• undertake a review of their plan with their GP after the tenth session

Approved Better Access providers include:

• GPs who are registered as a provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS)
• clinical psychologists
• registered psychologists
• appropriately trained and accredited social workers and occupational therapists.

 

Renewing a patient’s GP MHTP

 

GP MHTPs do not expire at the end of a calendar year, so the patient does not need a new plan to continue their GP MHTP into the next calendar year unless the referring practitioner considers it is clinically required.

This means that a patient can continue to be eligible for rebated psychological services in the next calendar year under their existing plan if the referring GP assesses that the patient continues to need these services.

Generally, new plans should not be developed within 12 months of the previous plan, unless the referring practitioner considers it clinically required.

A GP can assess and manage the patient’s progress and write a new referral for further services using any of the following items:

• a GP MHTP review item (MBS item 2712 (As of 1 November 2025, the MHTP review item number 2712 will be removed, with GPs to use instead standard consultation items, including the new Level E item))
• a GP mental health consultation item (MBS items 2713)
• standard GP consultation item

Mental illnesses applicable under Better Access initiative

 

The training accredited by the GPMHSC provides the fundamental skills required to assess a patient’s needs, recommend appropriate referral options and manage a patient’s ongoing mental healthcare.

At the time of publishing, the following mental illnesses/disorders are eligible for treatment under Better Access initiative, as per the International classification of diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10).

Refer to the International classification of diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) when it is released for up-to-date information.
 

• Acute psychotic disorders
• Enuresis
• Adjustment illness
• Generalised anxiety
• Alcohol-use disorders
• Hyperkinetic (attention deficit) illness
• Bereavement disorders
• Mental illness, not otherwise specified
• Bipolar illness
• Mixed anxiety and depression
• Chronic psychotic disorders
• Neurasthenia
• Conduct illness
• Panic illness
• Depression
• Phobic disorders
• Dissociative (conversion) illness
• Sexual disorders
• Drug-use disorders
• Sleep problems
• Eating disorders
• Unexplained somatic complaints

 

Mental illnesses not applicable under Better Access initiative include:

 

• Dementia
• Delirium
• Tobacco-use illness
• Mental retardation

  Although these are not mental illnesses applicable under the Better Access initiative, GPs can address them when patients who present with mental illness have comorbidity with one or more of these conditions.

Changes have been made to MBS mental health item numbers from 1 November 2025. You can read more about the changes for VR GPs here and non-VR GPs here.
 

Referral requirements under the Better Access Initiative

In addition to an eligible patient having a mental health diagnosis and a mental health treatment plan (MHTP), a patient must have a valid referral to receive Better Access mental health treatment services.
 
Mental health treatment services are generally provided in two courses of treatment per year (if required). Depending on the patient’s needs and following the initial course of individual treatment (involving up to 6 services on the initial referral), patient’s can return to their GP or PMP who will undertake a review of a patients MHTP and assess if their patient needs further treatment. These limits do not apply to group therapy services. Up to 10 group therapy services can be specified in a single referral. Patients may also receive a referral for a course of individual mental health treatment services and group therapy mental health treatment services at the same time.
 
When referring a patient for mental health treatment services under Better Access, services should be utilised for patients who require at least a moderate level of support. If a patient does require mental health treatment services under the Better Access initiative, GPs and PMPs should refer to explanatory note AN.15.6 which outlines the requirements when referring patients to MBS supported allied health services. In addition to the referral requirements set out in AN.15.6 , the following must be included on the referral for patients to received mental health treatment services:
 

• the patient's name, date of birth and address;
• the patient's symptoms or diagnosis;
• a list of any current medications;
• the number of services the patient is being referred for; and
• a statement about whether the patient has had a Mental Health Treatment Plan or a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan prepared. 

 
Specifying the number of services allowed per course of treatment ensures the allied health professional is managing the patient’s allocation within the annual limit, maintaining eligibility for Medicare benefits.

Further information on referral requirements for Better Access treatment services can be found at explanatory note MN.6.3.

Medicare Mental Health Check In media release which advises of the Provider identified to deliver National Early Intervention Service.