Better Access Initiative

Better Access User Guide

From 1 November 2025, changes were made to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, subject to the passage of legislation.

Consistent with recommendations in the Better Access Evaluation published in 2022, the changes will:

•  Support the holistic relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider, leading to improved patient outcomes.
• Reduce the administrative burden and complexity for GPs and PMPs by providing greater flexibility by using time-tiered professional (general) attendance MBS items to review a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), refer a patient for mental health treatment and undertake general mental health consultations.
• Improve the Better Access initiative to better meet the needs of individuals and improve equity of access to mental health supports and services.

• A Medicare benefit will only be payable for MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen either a GP/PMP at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice or if the patient is not registered with MyMedicare, their usual medical practitioner. These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician.
• GP and PMP MHTP review items (2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, and 92132) and GP and PMP ongoing mental health consultation items (2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133) will be removed from the MBS.
• Further details can be viewed at MBS Online – Better Access changes from 1 November 2025.

Mental Health Quality Improvement (QI) Activation Series to guide general practices in using practice data to organise and proactively deliver care for populations of their patients with a mental health condition

Better Access Quality Improvement Activation series

Conversation Starters for Chronic Condition Management and Mental Health treatment plans

Useful links

Better Access initiative | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Better Access Initiative resource collection | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

For support on MyMedicare and associated program, please contact CESPHN at practicesupport@cesphn.com.au