What it costs, and the ways to pay
No surprises, and no awkward conversation about money halfway through.
Ways to see me
Clients come to me through different funding routes. Here is how each one works.
WorkCover QLD
Billed directly to WorkCover QLD, so there is nothing for you to pay for the session itself. Pending and approved claims both welcome. WorkCover does not pay for late cancellations or no-shows, so those are charged to you at the full fee. Queensland only.
Privately
You pay the full fee. No referral needed, no rebates apply, and no paperwork to chase.
$250
per 50 minute session
Under Medicare
With a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan you pay the full fee up front and Medicare pays the rebate back to you. Up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
Full fee $250
Medicare rebate $101.55
Out of pocket $148.45
Private health insurance
As a small practice I do not have a HICAPS terminal, so you pay the full fee up front and claim with your fund. Every insurer covers a different amount, so check what they need and how much they cover before you book. You cannot claim Medicare and private health for the same session.
Using Medicare, step by step
If you would like to claim a rebate, this is the order things happen in.
See your GP
Talk through what has been going on and ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Referral sent
Ask the clinic to send the referral and plan directly to Stormbird Psychology.
Book your session
Choose a time on the booking portal, or get in touch if you would rather ask something first.
Pay in full
Psychologists are legally required to charge the full fee up front, then process the rebate.
Claim your rebate
I can process it for you, or provide a receipt so you can lodge the claim yourself.
You may have had other providers charge you only the gap. Psychologists cannot do that. It is a legal requirement to charge the full fee up front and then process your rebate or give you a receipt.
On the fee itself
The current AAPi recommended fee for a 40 to 60 minute consultation is $340 (the APS rate is $330). My fee sits $90 below that.
I keep the caseload small on purpose, so sessions are personalised and you are not lost in a crowd. Fees may rise over time as private and WorkCover rates move closer together, and you will always know before it affects you.
Cancellations, and a few other practicalities
What is the cancellation policy?+
Life happens and appointments sometimes need to change. Please give at least 24 to 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged, because that time was held for you and generally cannot be filled at short notice. This applies to WorkCover clients too, since WorkCover does not cover cancellations.
Do I need a referral?+
Not to book. You only need a referral if you want to claim a Medicare rebate, which requires a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. WorkCover clients need a Work Capacity Certificate and claim number for a pending claim, or case manager approval for an approved claim.
How many sessions will I need?+
There is no fixed number. Some people come for short-term support of six to ten sessions, others prefer longer work. We review progress as we go to make sure therapy is still useful to you.
Can I combine funding options?+
You can use one funding option at a time, one after the other. For example, you can use your Medicare sessions and then switch to private health insurance, or the other way round, but you cannot use both for the same session. WorkCover QLD claims are billed to WorkCover only.
How do payments work?+
Payment is taken at the time of your session. For Medicare clients the rebate is processed afterwards, either by me or by you with a receipt.
I am not a crisis service. Bookings and messages are not monitored constantly, so I cannot respond quickly enough to an urgent mental health concern. If you need help now, please contact one of these services.
Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 · MensLine 1300 789 978 · 13YARN 13 92 76
If you or someone else is in danger, call 000.
Book in, or ask a question first
Booking online is the fastest way in and there is no wait list. If you would rather ask something before committing, use the form and I will come back to you within two to three business days.
Book an appointmentTelehealth (online) Australia-wide · WorkCover QLD clients in Queensland
Instagram · Facebook · Psychology Today
Thanks, that has come through.
I will get back to you within two to three business days. Worth keeping an eye on your spam folder, since replies occasionally end up there.
Referrers, please have your client's consent before sending their details. Not a crisis service, so if you need help now call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.