Frequently Asked Questions

Psychiatrists Australia is a premier Telehealth service dedicated to providing exceptional care through a secure and advanced video platform. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality psychiatric services accessible to individuals across Australia.

Our team comprises fully registered and qualified mental health specialists, each expertly trained to deliver Telehealth services. We are committed to providing simple, supportive, and personalised care, tailored to meet the unique needs of our patients.

Our Telehealth sessions are conducted online, offering flexibility and convenience. You can easily schedule appointments to fit around your personal commitments, ensuring that receiving the mental health support you need is always within reach.

To start your journey with us, please follow these steps:

1. Visit Your GP: Arrange a consultation with your general practitioner (GP) to discuss your mental health needs. During your visit, request a referral to our services. This referral can be addressed to either Psychiatrists Australia or directly to one of our specialists, based on your needs.

2. Send Us Your Referral: Your GP can send us the referral by faxing it to 07 3319 6925 or by emailing it to reception@psychiatristsaustralia.com.au. Please make sure your contact information is clearly stated in the referral.

3. Await Our Response: Once we receive your referral, our team will review it to ensure it meets all necessary criteria. We will then contact you to discuss the outcome and outline the next steps, including the scheduling of your initial consultation.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way and look forward to helping you manage your mental health through our specialized Telehealth services.

Setting up a telehealth appointment with us is straightforward, and you don’t need any special software to get started.

1. Device Compatibility: Our video consultation platform is highly versatile and can be accessed on any desktop computer (PC or Mac), tablet (Android or iPad), or smartphone. Ensure your device is equipped with a webcam. For optimal audio clarity, we recommend using a headset with a microphone.

2. Environment Setup: Choose a quiet, private, and well-lit room for your consultation. This ensures confidentiality and helps your specialist to see you clearly during the session.

3. Internet Security: To protect your privacy, avoid joining the telehealth session from public areas or using unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Using a secure, private internet connection is crucial for safeguarding your personal information during the appointment.

Both psychiatrists and psychologists are professionals trained to help people with mental health issues, but there are key differences in their training and approaches to treatment:

• Medical Training:

  • Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed additional training in psychiatry. This medical background allows psychiatrists to prescribe medication and they may also provide psychotherapy.
  • Psychologist: Psychologists are not medical doctors. They have advanced degrees in psychology (typically PhD or PsyD), focusing on psychotherapy and behavioral interventions. Psychologists are trained to perform psychological testing and provide therapy but cannot prescribe medications.

• Treatment Methods:

  • Psychiatrist: Due to their medical training, psychiatrists often focus on managing mental health disorders through a combination of medication and psychotherapy, especially for complex or severe conditions that have a significant biological component.
  • Psychologist: Psychologists primarily provide psychological therapy (often referred to as talking therapy). They use various therapeutic approaches to treat emotional and mental suffering in patients who do not require medication.

These differences make psychiatrists and psychologists complementary professionals in the field of mental health, often working together to provide comprehensive care.

At Psychiatrists Australia, we strive to maintain transparency regarding our fee structure. A detailed list of our clinicians’ current fees, along with information about any applicable rebates, can be provided upon request.

To inquire about our fees or discuss any specific billing concerns, please contact our administrative team. You can reach us by phone at 1300 652 935 or via email at reception@psychiatristsaustralia.com.au. Our team is here to assist you with all your queries and ensure that you have all the information you need to proceed with your care.

To access Psychiatrists Australia’s ADHD Assessment services, you must be located within Australia and at least 18 years old.

To book an appointment, you have two options:

You can simply call 1300 652 935 with your desired date and time that suits you, and our team will assist you in scheduling the appointment accordingly.

Alternatively, you can follow this link to our booking system, select a time and date and book now. 

Obtaining a GP referral is essential for several reasons:

1. Collaborative Care: Our specialists collaborate closely with your GP to provide the best possible outcomes for your treatment. A referral ensures that we have all the necessary background information on your health, allowing for a more integrated approach to your care.

2. Medicare Rebates: Under Medicare rules, a referral from your GP is required for you to be eligible for a rebate on your appointment. Without a referral, you would be responsible for covering the full cost of the consultation.

3. Patient Responsibility: It is your responsibility to ensure that our clinic receives and maintains a current referral from your GP. This referral must be updated periodically, as specified by Medicare, to continue receiving rebates and to ensure seamless care coordination.

For your convenience, simply visit your GP and request a referral directly to our services at Psychiatrists Australia. This small step will facilitate your access to subsidised care and enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

During your initial appointment, the psychiatrist will discuss your treatment plan in detail. The frequency of your visits will depend on the nature and severity of your condition. Some patients might only require an annual or biannual consultation, while others may need regular appointments for ongoing management of their illness.

Depending on your specific needs, your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist for one of the following purposes:

1. Opinion and Report (MBS item 291/92435): This is a one-time assessment followed by a discharge back to your GP, who will continue to manage your care. The psychiatrist will provide your GP with a detailed report and management plan. Please note, a patient is eligible for only one Medicare rebate under this item in a 12-month period.

2. Ongoing Management (MBS item 296/92437): If your needs require more specialized care, your GP can refer you for ongoing management, where you will be regularly seen by the psychiatrist.

3. Review (MBS item 293/92436): If there has been a previous ‘opinion and report’ by the psychiatrist, this item allows for a follow-up review within a 12-month period to assess any changes or updates needed in your treatment plan.

These structured referral options are designed to provide you with the most appropriate level of psychiatric care, tailored to your individual health needs.

Telehealth significantly enhances access to mental health services for individuals throughout Australia, making it easier to receive care from the comfort of your own home.

1. Initial Assessment:

   • During your first appointment, the psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment. You will be asked detailed questions about your current challenges to compile a comprehensive psychiatric history. This discussion is crucial to understanding your unique situation and needs.

2. Holistic Approach:

   • Our clinicians take a holistic approach to treatment, considering all aspects of your health and lifestyle to devise the most effective strategies for addressing your mental health issues.

3. Treatment Recommendations:

   • After the initial evaluation, the psychiatrist will provide you with detailed feedback about your mental health status and discuss various treatment options. Depending on the findings, medication may be recommended as part of your treatment plan.

4. Next Steps:

   • You will receive specific recommendations for your treatment, which may include further diagnostic tests, follow-up appointments, or starting therapeutic interventions. The goal is to ensure that you receive tailored and effective care that aligns with your personal health objectives.

This initial Telehealth session is designed to set a solid foundation for your ongoing care, ensuring that the treatment plan fits your individual needs and life circumstances.

At Psychiatrists Australia, we utilise Electronic Prescribing (ePrescribing), a modern technology framework designed to enhance efficiency and safety in the prescribing and dispensing of medications.

1. Receiving Your Prescription:

   • Instead of a traditional paper prescription, you will receive your prescription electronically via SMS or email. It will include a link to a unique QR code or ‘token’. Please ensure your contact details are up to date in our patient portal to facilitate this process.

2. Using Your Prescription:

   • Take the token to any pharmacy, where it will be scanned to access the electronic prescription from a secure and encrypted delivery service.

3. Managing Repeat Prescriptions:

   • If your medication has repeats, the pharmacy will provide you with a new token each time you need a subsequent supply. This new token replaces the original.

4. Alternative Methods:

   • If ePrescribing is not feasible, we can alternatively email or fax the prescription directly to your chosen pharmacy, or post a paper prescription to your home address.

5. Prescription Policy:

   • Please note, for patient safety, our doctors must conduct a review before issuing any prescription. This policy ensures that all prescriptions are appropriately tailored to your current health needs.

Contact Psychiatrists Australia by emailing reception@psychiatristsaustralia.com.au where a friendly team member will be able to get back to you.