Here are the top mental‑health programs and pathways Australians can access through (or alongside) Australian health plans, with how they work and how to get them.

1. Medicare — Better Access (rebates for psychologists, psychiatrists, allied MH)

• What it is: Commonwealth program that provides Medicare rebates for mental‑health services (psychologists, psychiatrists, eligible social workers/OTs) when you have a GP/psychiatrist/paediatrician mental‑health treatment plan. Telehealth options are included under MBS rules.
• How to access: See your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (or see a psychiatrist) who can refer you. Medicare limits generally apply (e.g., annual item limits). (health.gov.au)

2. Headspace / eheadspace (youth 12–25)

• What it is: National youth mental‑health service offering free or low‑cost in‑person care at centres plus online/phone support via eheadspace (counselling, GP access, vocational help, AOD support). Intended for ages ~12–25.
• How to access: Walk into a local Headspace centre, book online, or use eheadspace. Headspace is funded as part of national youth mental‑health services. (en.Wikipedia.org)

3. Beyond Blue (24/7 support, coaching, referral)

• What it is: National non‑profit offering 24/7 phone and webchat counselling, NewAccess coaching (short‑term coaching for everyday stress), peer forums and referral/navigation to other services. Good for immediate brief support and guidance.
• How to access: Phone 1300 22 4636 or use Beyond Blue webchat; online resources and programs are available. (beyondblue.org.au)

4. MindSpot (free national digital psychology clinic)

• What it is: Government‑funded, free online/telephone assessment and evidence‑based treatment courses (and brief teletherapy) for adults with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, sleep problems and related issues. Therapist‑guided options and GP referral pathways (MindSpot GP).
• How to access: Start with an online assessment at MindSpot; treatments and teletherapy are free. Useful where private psychologists are unaffordable or waitlists are long. (MindSpot.org.au)

5. State/territory public mental‑health services and Primary Health Networks (PHNs) — community and specialist care

• What it is: Each state/territory runs public mental‑health services (community mental health teams, inpatient care) and PHNs fund local programs, intake services, Headspace sites, and stepped‑care programs. These provide low‑cost or free specialist care for more severe presentations or where Medicare/private care isn’t appropriate.
• How to access: Contact your local public mental‑health intake number, local PHN website, or your GP for referral. (See your state health website for local pathways.)

6. Private health insurance “Extras” and hospital cover (psychology, digital MH, inpatient care)

• What it is: Many private health extras policies include benefits for psychology, counselling and digital mental‑health programs (with varying annual limits, per‑visit limits and waiting periods). Private hospital cover can fund inpatient psychiatric treatment in private hospitals (subject to policy terms). Coverage and limits vary widely between funds and policies.
• How to access: Check your policy’s Private Health Information Statement (PHIS) or ask your insurer for details (psychology/digital MH sub‑limits, waiting periods, any “no gap” provider lists). Examples on the government privatehealth.gov.au site show psychology and digital MH listed in extras across many policies. (privatehealth.gov.au)

7. Digital self‑help and peer services (ReachOut, Lifeline, Kids Helpline, online CBT programs)

• What it is: Free national crisis lines and online resources — Lifeline (24/7 crisis support), Kids Helpline (youth), ReachOut (resources/forums), plus accredited online CBT courses (some funded or offered through insurers/PHNs). These are fast ways to get support and skills.
• How to access: Call Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or visit the respective websites; many insurers/PHNs also list approved online CBT options.

8. Workplace Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and insurer wellbeing programs

• What it is: Many employers provide EAPs offering confidential short‑term counselling at no cost to the employee; some private insurers and funds run wellbeing programs (digital apps, coaching, telehealth) as member benefits.
• How to access: Ask your HR/Workplace services or check your private health insurer’s member benefits.

Practical tips

• Start with your GP: they can assess severity, create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Better Access rebates, and refer to specialists or public services. (health.gov.au)
• If cost or waitlists are a problem: try MindSpot (free digital clinic), PHN‑funded services, Headspace (for youth), or Beyond Blue’s coaching and helplines. (MindSpot.org.au)
• For private‑insurance users: check your policy PHIS or call your insurer to confirm psychology benefits (annual caps, per‑session limits, waiting periods) before booking. Many policies explicitly list psychology and digital mental‑health benefits. (privatehealth.gov.au)

If you’d like, I can:

• Check specific benefits for a named private insurer/policy (I can look up that insurer’s PHIS and list psychology limits), or
• Find contact details/entry points for your state/territory public mental‑health services or local PHN.