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Counselling & psychotherapy for children in Australia

Support for children and families working through big changes or feelings.

  • 1Provider listed
  • 1Suburb covered
  • FreeFor families to use

What is counselling & psychotherapy for children?

Counsellors and psychotherapists help teenagers, parents and families work through anxiety, stress, conflict, grief, separation and big changes at home. Many also see couples and individual adults.

Counselling and psychotherapy are not registered professions under AHPRA. Practitioners can join a professional body such as the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), which set training and supervision standards. Ask a practice which body its counsellors belong to.

Common concerns supported

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Cost & funding

Fees depend on the service, the provider and the length of the session. Ask each provider for their fees before the first visit.

Medicare's Mental Health Treatment Plan pays a rebate for psychologists, not for most counsellors, so ask before you book. If your child's NDIS plan includes counselling, you can use it.

If your child has an NDIS plan that includes these supports, you can use it. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you can also use providers that are not NDIS registered. If the NDIA manages your plan, you must use registered providers.

  • NDIS price limit

    $156.16 an hour

    Counselling, 2026–27.

Note: NDIS price limits are the national maximums for NDIA-managed and plan-managed plans (NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27); remote areas have higher limits. Medicare rebates are from MBS Online, 1 July 2026. Providers can charge more than the rebate. Assessment fees come from provider websites in April 2026.

Read our guide to NDIS early intervention funding

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim a Medicare rebate for counselling?

No. Medicare's Better Access initiative does not rebate sessions with a counsellor or psychotherapist. If you need a Medicare rebate, ask your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to a psychologist.

Do we need a referral?

No. You can book a counsellor or psychotherapist directly.

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

Psychologists are registered with AHPRA and can offer Medicare-rebated sessions and formal assessments. Counsellors and psychotherapists are not AHPRA-registered and focus on talking therapy. Many belong to PACFA or ACA.

Is counselling covered by private health insurance?

Some extras policies include counselling with a PACFA or ACA registered practitioner. Check with your fund and ask the practice whether your counsellor is a recognised provider.

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