NDIS vs Medicare: Which Funds Your Psychology Sessions?
Understand the difference between NDIS and Medicare funding for psychology, and which one applies to your situation.
By ClearAccess Psychology · 27 May 2026
NDIS vs Medicare: Which Funds Your Psychology Sessions?
If you're eligible for both NDIS and Medicare, you might wonder which scheme covers your psychology sessions. Here's how they differ and when each applies.
Medicare Better Access
Medicare funds psychology under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. It is designed for people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress-related disorders.
| Feature | Medicare |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Anyone with a Medicare card and a Mental Health Care Plan |
| Session limit | Up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year |
| Cost | Bulk billed — no out-of-pocket cost with listed psychologists |
| Referral needed | Yes — Mental Health Care Plan from your GP |
| Claiming | Psychologist bills Medicare directly |
NDIS Psychology
The NDIS funds psychology as a capacity building support under your NDIS plan. It is designed for people with permanent and significant disabilities who need support to achieve their NDIS goals.
| Feature | NDIS |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | NDIS participants with psychology funding in their plan |
| Session limit | As agreed in your NDIS plan budget |
| Cost | Claimed from your NDIS plan — no out-of-pocket cost with listed psychologists |
| Referral needed | No — but psychology must be linked to your NDIS plan goals |
| Plan management | Self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed |
Can I use both?
Generally, no — you cannot claim the same session under both schemes. If you have NDIS funding that covers psychology, you would typically use your NDIS plan rather than Medicare. However, if your NDIS plan does not include psychology funding, you can use Medicare instead.
Which one should I use?
- Use Medicare if you have a mental health condition and do not have NDIS funding for psychology
- Use NDIS if you have psychology funding in your NDIS plan and your sessions relate to your disability goals
- If you are unsure, ask your psychologist — they can advise which scheme applies to your situation