How do you reassure patients who feel unsure or suspicious about therapy or medication?
Doctors can’t and won’t force you to take any treatment. A GP’s role is to explain options in plain language, outline benefits and risks, and help you make informed decisions.
I usually provide a clear treatment plan with small actionable steps—such as registering for university counselling—and, if needed, a short trial of medication with a follow-up review. A return visit in one to two weeks is standard so you can think things through and trial initial strategies.
In Australia, doctors receive no incentives for prescribing medications or ordering tests. In fact, they’re penalised for ordering unnecessary tests. This ensures GPs only recommend tests or medications that are truly relevant, useful, cost-effective, and beneficial.
For someone who is new to Australia, how does seeing a GP for mental health support actually work?
In Australia, GPs are your main point of contact for all health concerns, including mental health. Proper treatment requires persistence and multiple visits over months or even years. GPs help coordinate your care, review progress, manage medications, identify contributing factors (including physical issues like nutrient deficiencies), and provide ongoing support. When booking your first appointment, request a long (double) consultation and mention it is for mental health, so sufficient time is allocated for discussion and planning.
Tips:
Request a translator when booking if required, free telephone service is available if arranged ahead of time.
Consulting with the GP may lead to medication, referral, or both. If you don’t feel the GP is a good fit for you, it is ok to see another.
Don’t be surprised if the GP asks you to return another day to continue, mental health treatment and planning deserves careful and deliberate consideration, and cannot be rushed.
Ensure you book follow-up consultations.
At any point if you feel like harming yourself, please call 000 or Lifeline 131 114.
What is bulk-billing, gap and how do people know how much they will pay for a GP consultation?
Bulk-billing means the clinic accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment, so there is no cost to you. Because Medicare rebates haven’t kept up with rising costs and inflation, many clinics now charge a “gap” to stay viable.
At a non–bulk-billing clinic, you pay the clinic’s full fee, then Medicare (or overseas insurance) pays you the rebate amount. The “gap” is your out-of-pocket cost.
To avoid surprises, ask about fees when booking and check your insurance policy. Check your insurance policy if you have overseas visitor insurance.
Clinics that open after-hours (after 6pm or weekends) would usually charge a higher fee due to higher staffing costs.
What is a mental health care plan? Who qualifies?
It is an assessment and treatment plan that usually gives access to 10 subsidised psychology sessions under Medicare or equivalent overseas visitor insurance. It requires a clinical assessment by a GP, usually in a consultation of at least 20 or 40 minutes, to determine whether there is a mental health condition that would benefit from psychologist involvement. The GP completes the plan, ideally with SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and a progress-review interval, then refers the patient to a registered psychologist. GP follow-up is expected. There are limits and administrative details;
ask your GP for exact entitlements and session numbers.
Where are places students can seek help outside of the medical system? (for mild to moderate mental health issues)
● University counsellors and student support services
● University clubs and societies for social connection
● Community groups such as Association of Soulful Asia (ASA)
● Online self-guided or peer-support resources from eMHPrac such as MOST (for people under 25), MindSpot Clinic, Mood Compass (self-diagnosis tool), and Smiling Mind
Author Information
Author: Dr Andrew Sun
Author Bio: BMedSc, MSTech(OHS), MBBS, FRACGP, Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy. Consults at UNSW Health Service, GP Maroubra, and Sun Health Clinic.