A clinical psychologist is a psychologist with general registration who also holds an endorsement in clinical psychology, which needs an accredited Masters or Doctorate and Board-approved supervised practice. Both are eligible for Medicare-rebated sessions with a referral, but Medicare pays more for a clinical psychologist: $149.05 for a session of 50 minutes or more, compared with $101.55.
The title changes the Medicare rebate per session. It does not tell you how much experience the psychologist has with children your child's age. This page explains what the title means, what Medicare pays for each, and the questions to ask before you choose.
What "clinical" adds to a psychologist's registration
Every psychologist who practises in Australia must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, one of the national boards under Ahpra. Some psychologists then add an area of practice endorsement. Clinical psychology is one of nine endorsements. The others include counselling, health, forensic, and educational and developmental psychology.
To get an endorsement, a psychologist must already hold general registration. They also need an accredited Masters or Doctorate in that area, at sixth-year level or higher, and a period of supervised practice in a Board-approved registrar program. Some psychologists gain general registration through a 4+2 or 5+1 internship pathway. They can complete an approved one-year postgraduate qualification and the registrar program, and then apply for an endorsement.
The Psychology Board of Australia says an endorsement is different from specialist registration. The Australian Psychological Society notes that the Board also said an endorsement is not based on experience gained during a career. Psychologists have different skills, experience and expertise, and one who suits another family may not suit yours.
Sources: Psychology Board of Australia (registration; endorsement; pathways to endorsement); Australian Psychological Society (types of psychologists; area of practice endorsement pathway).
Clinical psychologists and the endorsement focused on children
The Australian Psychological Society describes clinical psychologists as trained in the assessment and diagnosis of mental illness and psychological problems. It says they treat mental health conditions that range from mild to severe and complex.
Educational and developmental psychologists say they work "primarily" with children, parents, carers and teachers. Parents come to them about a child's development, behaviour, disability or learning difficulties.
Psychologists with general registration and psychologists with an endorsement can help children with:
- anxiety and depression
- behaviour that is hard to manage, and trouble with feelings and getting on with others
- assessments when you have concerns about learning, ADHD or autism
- problems with sleep or using the toilet
- grief and trauma
- difficulties getting on with family members or other children
Psychologists cannot prescribe. If your child might need medicine, the psychologist can refer you to your GP, a paediatrician or a psychiatrist.
Sources: Australian Psychological Society (clinical psychologists; educational and developmental psychologists); Raising Children Network (psychologists).
What Medicare pays for each, per session
Medicare pays a higher rebate for a clinical psychologist. The rebate also depends on how long the session runs. These are the Medicare Benefits Schedule amounts for an individual session in the psychologist's rooms. The MBS fees and rebates were last updated on 1 July 2026.
| Who your child sees | Session length | MBS item | Medicare rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | 30 to 49 minutes | 80000 | $101.55 |
| Clinical psychologist | 50 minutes or more | 80010 | $149.05 |
| Psychologist | 20 to 49 minutes | 80100 | $72.00 |
| Psychologist | 50 minutes or more | 80110 | $101.55 |
Two things follow from this table. A 50-minute session with a psychologist gets the same rebate as a 30-minute session with a clinical psychologist. And the rebate is not the price. Each psychologist sets their own fee, so ask what you will pay after the rebate before you book. Fees vary between practices, so the higher rebate does not always mean a lower gap.
Medicare also pays for individual sessions by video, and some by phone if video is not available, when the psychologist judges this safe and clinically appropriate.
You can check any item on MBS Online (opens in a new tab). For rebates on other therapies, see our guide to Medicare rebates for child therapy.
Sources: MBS Online (items 80000, 80010, 80100, 80110); Services Australia (mental health care and Medicare; allied health referrals for mental health treatment services).
How the Medicare referral works for a child
The referral rules are the same for both kinds of psychologist. You do not need a referral to book a psychologist privately. You need one to claim Medicare. It can come from:
- your child's usual GP, or another GP at the practice you usually visit, under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. If your child is enrolled in MyMedicare, the referral must come from that practice.
- a paediatrician, by direct referral
- a psychiatrist, by direct referral or under a psychiatrist's management plan
The first referral covers up to 6 sessions. If your child needs more, the doctor reviews progress and can refer again. Your child can claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions each calendar year. A Mental Health Treatment Plan does not expire, so you do not need a new one each year.
If your child talks about hurting themselves or about suicide, get help the same day. If they are in immediate danger, call 000. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, and your child can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Our article on when to see a child psychologist covers the signs to watch for and what happens at the first appointment.
Sources: Services Australia (mental health care and Medicare; allied health referrals for mental health treatment services; requirements of a mental health treatment plan); Raising Children Network (psychologists).
Questions to ask before you choose
A psychologist's title tells you about their training. These questions help you judge whether they suit your child. Raising Children Network suggests finding out about waiting lists, the type of therapy, costs and qualifications before the first visit.
- How will you work with my child, and with us?
- Have you worked with this concern before? Name it, for example worry, challenging behaviour, trouble sleeping or a possible autism assessment.
- Which endorsement, if any, do you hold? For a development or learning question, an educational and developmental psychologist may be the closest match.
- What is the fee, and what is the gap? Ask for the fee for the session length you will book.
- How long is the wait? Ask for ideas to try at home before the first session.
- Are sessions in person, by telehealth, or both?
While you wait, see your GP if your child's mental health or behaviour worries you, or if your child loses skills they once had. Do not wait for the first appointment. If you go on a waiting list, tell your GP how long it is. If it is an emergency, call 000 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
You can confirm any psychologist's registration and endorsement on the Ahpra register of practitioners (opens in a new tab).
When you have your questions ready, compare child psychologists near you. Each listing shows services, the suburb and whether the practice offers telehealth.
Sources: Raising Children Network (psychologists); Psychology Board of Australia (endorsement); Australian Psychological Society (educational and developmental psychologists); Services Australia (mental health care and Medicare); NSW Health (Learn the Signs).
Where this fits: worry, behaviour and learning
If your child is anxious, low or struggling with behaviour, your GP is a good first stop and can refer you to a psychologist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Our worry, anxiety and mood hub and behaviour challenges hub explain the signs and the other supports to consider. If the question is about reading, writing or numbers, start with the learning difficulties hub. The child psychology services page lists psychologists by state and suburb.
If behaviour is the main worry, our guide to finding a child behaviour therapist covers psychologists and NDIS behaviour support practitioners.
Find a child psychologist
Before you book, check the psychologist's registration and endorsement on the Ahpra register, the fee and the gap, and the wait.
