Patient Guide to Online Depression Treatment in Australia

Access to treatment for depression can be hard to come by in Australia, but online services can help give you quicker, and sometimes more convenient, access. While telehealth providers can deliver the same evidence-based therapies, it may not always be the best option. If you’re wondering how depression is diagnosed in Australia and whether online depression treatment is right for you, read on. This MediCompare patient guide also includes information on affordable options, including the recently launched government-funded digital service.

A diagnosis is your first step to receiving the right treatment. It ensures that you get the right level of care and also unlocks bulk billing options, either through a referral for a specialist appointment or a ten-session Mental Health Care Plan (MHTP). The good news is you can even get this done online through a mental health assessment during a GP consult or psychologist appointment, and some providers also offers the former fully bulk-billed.

Typically, you will fill in an online questionnaire to help the clinician prepare for your assessment. Some of these questionnaires already include screening questions about your mental state, not just your medical history. During the clinical interview, you can expect questions about mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, suicidal thoughts and how the symptoms affect your daily life. These questions help the doctor assess the severity of your symptoms and recommend treatment options.

If your mental health assessment meets the threshold, the doctor will put an MHTP in place, which unlocks bulk billing for 10 sessions per calendar year and requires a review after 4 sessions.

MediCompare regularly vets Australian telehealth providers, giving you side-by-side comparisons of options for bulk billing. But if you already have a GP you trust, they may be your best option for continuity

Here are some options currently offering bulk-billed access for Medicare cardholders:

• 13SICK – a government-funded service that bulkbills all Medicare-eligible consultations.
• Prime Medic – offers after-hours doctors and bulk bills mental health care plans for eligible patients.
• Hola Health – open 24/7 and provides free mental health treatment plan assessments if you qualify.
• Abby Health – offers bulk-billed GP consults 7 days a week, including mental health assessments.

Mild Depression

If you are diagnosed with mild depression, self-guided care options online may be right for you. These typically teach coping skills and basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. This can be a low-key approach, with no therapist-led video sessions required. Of course, you can also combine this with some coaching or therapy sessions.

Free or highly affordable resources can be found on websites such as MindSpot (free online assessments and guided modules), MoodGYM (interactive CBT skill-building exercises) and Beyond Blue NewAccess (coaching chats that help you set goals and track progress).

Moderate Depression

For patients with moderate depression, guided online counselling/ psychotherapy is typically recommended. This could be through a structured online CBT course plus regular therapist support or counselling sessions alone. Virtual sessions are typically 45+ minutes and can be delivered by video or phone. Some patients also opt for a mix of virtual and in-person appointments. These sessions can be covered under an MHTP, although you need to check with the individual provider.

Common platforms include THIS WAY UP (self-paced CBT modules with optional messaging from a registered psychologist), Talked (online counselling) or any of the providers included on MediCompare’s mental health page. With an MHTP in place, many of the vetted providers offer some form of bulk billing or rebate, and some also offer to trial your online therapist before committing. If you have an MHTP, the remaining gap fee varies by provider but is often under $50, making online counselling much more affordable than typical face-to-face sessions.

Severe Depression

In cases with severe depression, online therapy alone may not be the right approach. Most clinicians will recommend some form of more targeted and intense care, often including medication. This could look like longer, weekly psychotherapy plus medication management and regular follow-ups with the prescribing doctor. Sometimes, you may receive a specialist referral to a psychiatrist as the first step to ensure the highest level of care. This is to ensure greater level of expertise and continuity of care, giving you access to the necessary treatment to reduce your symptoms before easing back into less intense treatment.

Typically, your first step is still a GP consult, but it is advisable to choose a high quality provider with good follow-up protocols in place and 24/7 availability. Providers also offering access to medication delivery include Hola Health and Healthy Life.

The consulting doctor will talk you through the next steps and can also advise on how to ensure continuous care through an online or in-person psychologist or psychiatrist. While the referral unlocks bulk billing, the gap fee can be higher, due to the longer sessions. It is worth learning about the Medicare safety net and contacting your primary GP for a referral within their network. Fully bulk-billed options are also available, for example in hospitals, but wait times can be long. It is a good idea to ask the consulting GP to assist in ensuring speedy treatment and/ or committing to starting part pf the treatment plan, such as medication immediately.

If you are having suicidal thoughts or are in a crisis of any kind, Lifeline or emergency services can be contacted on 13 11 14 or 000.

January 2026 saw the launch of a free national digital mental health for depression treatment online. This included lowintensity CBT apps and websites freely available to Medicare cardholders. In March free telehealth therapy sessions with trained clinicians will be added, again at no cost to eligible patients. It’s part of the government’s strategy to reduce wait times and improve access to mental health care [1]. For patients already holding an MHTP, the new service will sit alongside existing Medicare rebates, giving you an extra layer of free support.

This article is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice. Please choose your provider with care. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional regarding any healthrelated questions or concerns.

[1] https://www.svha.org.au/news/latest/st-vincent-s-to-deliver-australia-s-new-free-digital-mental-health-service