On 13 March 2020, new COVID-19 Medicare items were introduced to allow clients to access up to 10 bulk-billed psychological services delivered by telehealth (i.e., videoconference or phone) in a calendar year. These measures were introduced by the Federal Government to protect Australians from the coronavirus. Psychologists, doctors, nurses, and other mental health allied health workers can provide these services.
The Government announced that from 7 August 2020 an additional 10 Medicare subsidised Psychological therapy sessions would be provided to those people who have used their 10 initial sessions.