Pricing + Services

 

Schedule of Fees

One of the core values of The Dash is transparency. We believe that you deserve to know not only what you are paying for, but also more about ‘why’ these fees, policies, terms and conditions apply.

Session fees reflect the training and expertise of clinicians and may differ based on experience. Independent Practitioners set their own fees.

Clinical Psychology (standard session fees):

  • Clinical Lead from $300 / 50 minute session.

  • Senior Clinical Psychologist from $270 / 50 minute session.

  • Clinical Psychologist from $265 / 50 minute session.

Psychologists & Mental Health Accredited Social Worker (standard session fees):

  • Registered Psychologists from $230 / 50 minute session.

  • Clinical Psychology Registrar from $230 / 50 minute.

  • Mental Health Accredited Social Workers from $230 / 50 minute session.

Medicare and Private Health Insurance rebates may apply.

Counselling & Psychotherapy (standard session fees):

  • Counselling - Individual from $210 / 50 minute session.

  • Counselling - Couples from $230 / 50 minute session.

Private Health Insurance rebates may apply.

Provisional Psychologist

Our Provisional Psychologists have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and are pursuing their registration through post-graduate studies or supervised practice. Provisional Psychologists have lower client loads and higher levels of supervision and support from senior psychologists, so you can feel assured you are receiving the highest quality services and care. Standard fee for Provisional Psychologists are between $135 and $240. Please note that Medicare Rebates do not apply for Provisional Psychologists.

Circle of Security Program

“Every child comes into the world seeking a secure relationship with her/his caregivers. The Circle of Security® program helps promote that security.” Circle of Security

We are thrilled to offer the highly sought after Circle of Security course to parents and families. Please visit our COS page for dates and fees.

Assessment and Reports

Assessment and reports are charged per 30 minutes at the standard rate for the clinician plus GST. Please note that Medicare rebates may not apply for assessments and reports.

Insurance and Workers Compensation

Insurance Clients seeking treatment under Motor Vehicle Accident or Workers Compensation Insurance will be charged at the full APS recommended rate of $280. Invoices will be sent directly to the insurer. Please note that the client is liable for the cost of treatment if the claim is not accepted. Please obtain written confirmation of agreement to fund your appointments from your insurance case manager prior to attending your first appointment.

DVA

We provide services under DVA, you may require a GP referral to access these services.


NDIS

We provide psychology services for self managed and provider managed NDIS clients.

NDIS Psychology Services (standard session fees):

  • Psychology from $240 / 50 minute session.

Fees: Frequently Asked Questions

Discounted Services / Bulk Billing

Our fees are already discounted compared with APS recommended fees and the costs of operating a business are high, so unfortunately, we cannot offer Bulk Billing or Sliding Scale services.

APS Recommended Fees »

What You are Paying For…
You deserve to know what you are paying for!

Myth: Many people assume that the hourly rate they are paying is what the clinician takes home as income.

Truth: Independent Practitioners do not earn an “hourly rate”. The fees paid must cover all the costs of their business (and much more!)

Truth: In addition to the time spent in consultation with you, your clinician needs to take time to prepare, which includes research, treatment planning, resource preparation, completing case notes and communicating with referrers.

Truth: Clinicians are required by their governing bodies to maintain their ethical standards and professional development through:

  • Compulsory training, as well as peer and clinical supervision. This involves the loss of income incurred by time away from being able to consult, as well as the significant costs of training and supervision.

  • Registration fees to governing bodies, e.g. AHPRA, as well as membership to professional associations, e.g. APS, ACBS.

  • All clinicians must pay indemnity insurance premiums and maintain this for the duration of their careers.

  • Purchasing the most appropriate and up-to-date assessments and resources for their clients’ needs.

Truth: Independent Practitioners also need to pay for the costs of:

  • Daily room rental, electricity, cleaning and office supplies.

  • Computing equipment and expensive, but critically important, software to protect your privacy.

  • Stationery, business cards, IT costs.

  • Administration, which includes credit card and EFTPOS fees.

Myth: If someone doesn’t attend their session the clinician or business can still bill Medicare / Private Health Funds.

Truth: Medicare and Private Health Funds do not pay for cancelled or missed appointments. This means that when someone does not attend their appointment, or cancels without adequate notice, the clinician is not remunerated for the time they have put aside for the session, the time and resources spent preparing for the session and other clients miss out on services. It is because of these factors that The Dash has a strict Attendance Policy (see below).

Most importantly… You deserve the best…

Your clinician has spent a minimum of 4 to 6 years of tertiary education, as well as two years of supervised practice (and is likely still repaying the student loans).

There is a significant risk of burnout among mental health professionals. One of the key risks is being “overworked and underpaid”, or in other words, needing to see a high volume of clients in order to make the reasonable income which reflects the clinician’s level of education, expertise and commitment. We want our clinicians to be at their best for each of their clients. Our fees reflect our policy of looking after our clinicians and, therefore, our clients.

Referral & Rebate Information

Self-Referral

It is not essential that you have a referral to see a clinician at The Dash - Health Hub premises. Clients may call and book an appointment at any time without a referral and pay privately. Please feel free to discuss your options with reception staff prior to your appointment with a clinician.

Medicare Rebates

Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered psychologists under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. Eligible individuals can receive up to 10 individual sessions per a calendar year. A separate initiative, called an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP), provides up to 40 sessions for individuals with diagnosed eating disorders (specific criteria apply). You require a referral from either a GP or specialist (Psychiatrist or Paediatrician) to be eligible for a Medicare Rebate. Please note that Medicare Rebates do not apply to:

  • Couples Counselling

  • Services from a Counsellor

  • Assessment (outside of what is required for treatment, e.g. Cognitive Assessment)

  • Conditions which do not constitute a diagnosed mental illness, e.g., stress

  • Fees for missed appointments or late cancellation

After you have reached the maximum number of allowable sessions for the calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates for treatment you receive from a psychologist / social worker until the new calendar year. 

Private Health Care Rebates

Private Health Fund Rebates for psychology sessions are available from most Private Health Insurers. Check with your Private Health Care Fund prior to sessions.

​National Disability Insurance Scheme

We provide services for self and plan managed NDIS participants. Please note that Medicare Rebates do not apply to NDIS funded sessions. To find out more about this program, please go to the following website: http://www.ndis.gov.au/

Attendance Policy

You will note that at The Dash we have an Attendance Policy, not a cancellation policy. This is because when appointments are scheduled an agreement is made between the client and clinician that the clinician will make that time available for their client and the client (or client’s caregiver) will make that time available for their therapy. Please remember that your clinician will spend time and resources preparing for your session, so frequent cancellations and rescheduling of appointments can have a profound impact.

In booking your / your child’s appointment you are committing yourself and your clinician to put that time aside for you.

 Please only book your / your child’s appointment if you know you can attend, e.g., please check your work schedule prior to booking.

We understand that ‘life happens’ and issues may arise that prevent you from attending in person. In those circumstances we are pleased to change your appointment to a Telehealth video or telephone session.

We require you provide 2 business days’ notice if you are unable to attend for any reason. The Dash’s business days are Monday-Saturday. We have voicemail if calling on a Sunday. Please be aware, if you change your appointment (i.e., cancel or reschedule) with less than 2 business days’ notice, or miss your appointment e.g., forget to attend, you will be required to pay part or full fee for that session as outlined below:

o   Less than 1 Business Day = Full session fee

o   1 Business Day = 50% session fee

o   2 Business Days = No charge. Though we strongly encourage you to commit to your booked appointments, and not wait for the reminder text to change your appointment.

For example, if you change your Monday appointment on a Sunday (non-business day) or same day, you will incur a 100% non-attendance fee. If you change your Monday appointment on a Saturday, you will incur a 50% non-attendance fee. If you change your Monday appointment on a Friday, you will not incur a fee.

Medicare and Private Health Rebates do not apply to missed appointments. Your session fee will be debited to your nominated credit card where held, or we will email you an invoice to pay online, or over the phone via our reception team.

Please note, the Appointment Reminder text message / email is a courtesy message only and should not be depended on to remind you of your appointment.   

We sincerely appreciate our wonderful clients and look forward to working with you.