In response to the Better Access evaluation, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing made changes to the Better Access initiative that came into effect on 1 November 2025. These changes included:
Linking the preparation of a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), referrals for treatment and reviews of a MHTP to either a patient’s GP at their MyMedicare registered practice or their usual medical practitioner, to improve continuity of care
Patients can choose to see their usual medical practitioner irrespective of their existing MyMedicare registered status
For the purpose of these changes, a patient’s usual medical practitioner is defined as someone who has provided the majority of services to the person in the previous 12 months or who is likely to provide the majority of services to the person in the following 12 months
Removal of MHTP review and mental health consultation items under the MBS. GPs can instead use time-tiered general attendance items to review plans, make referrals, and provide ongoing mental health consultations as needed. This allows GPs greater flexibility to determine the appropriate amount of time for mental health care within a consultation
The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements also apply to GP telehealth items for MHTPs, meaning these services are no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions is available in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online
