Children’s Mental Health Care

What did the research find about children’s access to psychological care?

By 2023, fewer than one-third of children in the lowest-income neighborhoods received Medicare-subsidized psychological treatment within three months of obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan, compared with more than half in the wealthiest neighborhoods. These children had already reached primary care and received a plan, making the findings particularly relevant to what happens after families first seek help.

Access also declined overall: the proportion of children receiving treatment within that window fell from 63% to 45% across the study period. Average out-of-pocket costs for an initial session rose from AU$44 to AU$90 in inflation-adjusted terms. The researchers cautioned that these parallel trends do not establish that rising fees caused the widening disparity. [Monash University reporting via Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-income-access-psychological-widens-children.html).

Does the study prove that lower-income children received no mental health support?

The study linked administrative health and tax records and examined psychotherapy recorded within three months of an initial observed treatment plan. Its outcome therefore describes timely access to Medicare-subsidized care. A missing claim should not automatically be interpreted as proof that a child received no support through another service or at a later date.

Income was measured at neighborhood level, rather than directly from each household’s finances. This identifies community patterns but cannot establish every family’s circumstances. The observational design also cannot isolate the effects of fees from other barriers. An important implication is that evaluating access requires following patients beyond the referral itself; a treatment plan alone does not demonstrate that treatment began. [Black and colleagues, SSM – Mental Health](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100580).

What can families do when psychological treatment is difficult to afford?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan can help eligible patients claim Medicare benefits, but it does not guarantee free appointments. Services Australia explains that clinicians set their own fees and Medicare may cover only part of the charge. Before booking, families can ask for the full session price, the expected rebate and the remaining out-of-pocket payment. Bulk-billed appointments have no patient charge. [Services Australia](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092).

If the remaining fee is unaffordable, tell the referring clinician so that cost becomes part of treatment planning. Healthdirect advises discussing alternatives with healthcare providers and notes that community mental health services and nongovernmental services are usually free. Availability and suitability vary, so families should confirm whether a service supports their child’s age and needs. [Healthdirect guidance on mental health costs](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/healthcare-and-services/costs-and-financial-support/understanding-the-costs-of-mental-health-services).