Counselling Services in Victoria
Understanding counselling in Victoria
If you, or someone you care for, would benefit from talking privately with a trained mental health professional this article may help to clarify some of your options. It is a summary to get you started on your journey with counselling. But if you need urgent help for a mental health crisis, call Triple Zero (000) or Lifeline 131114 (open 24/7) for free crisis support and suicide prevention.
You can also contact one of Positive Women Victoria’s peer support workers to assist you in understanding what counselling services are available in Victoria. Please contact info@positivewomen.org.au or phone: (03) 9863 8747.
Quick guide to counselling in Victoria
Service | Who is it for? | Cost | Wait times | Referral needed? |
Thorne Harbour Health
|
HIV+, LGBQ Trans and gender diverse | Free | Yes, for most services, inquire | No referral needed |
Alfred Health | People living with HIV | Free | For some services | GP referral required |
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (including Green Room) | People living with HIV in Victoria | Free | Yes, inquire with service | Access is through Melbourne Sexual Health Centre |
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals | Victorian government local community initiative. All community. | Free | Walk-ins may be possible. Inquire with service. | No referral or Medicare needed |
Community Health Centres | All Victorians, local service | Some fees may apply dependent on ability to pay | Inquire with your local service | Access by referral or self-referral may be accepted, contact your local service |
Blue Knot Foundation | Survivors of complex trauma | Free phone helpline for short-term counselling. Blue Knot provides referrals for ongoing support which could have fees. | A helpline counsellor will return your call as soon as possible. | No referral needed |
Religious counselling services/charities
(Numerous: Google search online) |
May be suitable according to faith belief | Free or low-cost | Inquire through your religious organisation, church, or faith leader or Online search | No referral needed |
Private psychologist | All community | Some costs may be covered under Medicare, requires a Mental Health Plan and GP referral. Gap fees and private fees vary. | Waiting times may apply, inquire with chosen service | Referral from GP and a Mental Health Plan required to ensure Medicare rebate. |
Psychiatrists and doctors | Medically-trained mental health care services available to all community | May be covered or part covered by Medicare, gap fees may apply | Dependent on need and service | Referral required for psychiatry services.
Hospital-based services available. HIV-specific services at some hospitals, inquire with GP or clinic. |
SPECIALISED SERVICES
If you have a specific concern, you could do an internet search for any of the free or low-cost counselling services that specialise in particular matters, for example: living with HIV; LGBTIQ+; relationships; alcohol & other drugs; eating disorders; sexual assault; family violence; grief; survivors of torture; survivors of childhood trauma; refugee & asylum seeker support; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support.
If HIV is your main reason for seeking counselling, there are some specific and free services in Victoria:
Thorne Harbour Health: Offers free counselling support for people living with HIV. They also offer counselling support if you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender/gender-diverse. Contact: (03)98656700. Cost is free. There may be waiting times to access some services. If your need is urgent, you should ask about any expected wait time. You may be able to see a THH counsellor in Abbotsford or St Kilda, or via telehealth state-wide.
The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and Monash Medical Centre: Provide counselling and psychological services for people with HIV. Discuss with your GP or HIV doctor. A GP referral is needed. Waiting times vary. Please ask about waiting times if this is a concern.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING LOCALS
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals is a new Victorian government initiative. Services are currently opening up throughout the state, with 50 sites due to be established by the end of 2026. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals offer free mental health treatment, care and support for adults aged 26 and over. You don’t need a doctor’s referral or a Medicare card. Carers, family, or friends of someone with mental health concerns can also be supported. Many of the sites are now accepting walk-ins. Services may include support from lived experience workers (peer workers) who may have had a similar experience to you, through to clinical and recovery-based therapies. Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals – Better Health Channel
HEADSPACE
Headspace is recommended for people aged 12-25. Australia’s national youth mental health foundation, provides online/phone support, and in person at some locations. Cost is free. Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
Community Health Centres are established throughout Victoria, offering a range of services that might include medical, dental, allied health, social work, etc., as well as professional counselling for young people and adults. Fees for counselling may depend on individuals’ ability to pay and the service could be free or low-cost. Counselling services at Community Health Centres are time-limited – counsellors usually offer short to medium term interventions focussed on individual goals. A referral may be required (including self-referral, which may be accepted) followed by a confidential intake and then a waiting list, which could be several months, depending on the Centre. It’s best to make an enquiry. Search the internet for “community health centre near me”, or visit Community Health Directory .
CHARITIES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS
It is possible to find free or low-cost counselling throughout Victoria under many charities, and most religious organisations. Some examples include: Catholic Care; Uniting Care; Salvation Army; Anglicare; and the Centre for Muslim Wellbeing.
DOCTORS
Some general practitioners (GPs) and many psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialise in mental health) provide counselling, which would be rebated by Medicare. GPs and psychiatrists determine their own fees and they usually charge more than the Medicare rebate, leaving a gap for you to pay, but they might reduce their fees considering your circumstances and your ability to pay. To see a psychiatrist, you would need a referral from a GP.
Some GPs are specifically trained in HIV, as a S100 Prescriber. Check the S100 HIV prescriber map for locations.
PSYCHOLOGISTS
Psychologists are professional counsellors that hold specific qualifications that are required for registration. Psychologists are not medical doctors and can’t prescribe medication.
You can choose to pay a private psychologist’s full fee to see them for counselling. But if you have a GP and a Medicare card, and if the GP diagnoses you with a mental health condition (such as anxiety, depression or other condition), the GP can write you a mental health treatment plan (MHTP), also called a mental health care plan. With the MHTP Medicare would subsidise counselling with a psychologist, up to 10 sessions per year. Usually psychologists charge a fee that is higher than the Medicare rebate, so you will still pay a gap. Ask the psychologist directly or visit their website to see their fees. To find a psychologist, try the Australian Psychological Society website: Find a Psychologist APS
UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY CLINICS
Another, more affordable, way to see a psychologist may be to contact a university psychology clinic, to see a registered provisional psychologist (a psychologist in their final years of study) who conducts counselling under supervision by senior clinical psychology staff. You don’t have to be a student to access these services, you generally don’t need a doctor’s referral, and sessions are either low-cost or free. Universities with psychology clinics include: ACU; La Trobe; RMIT; Swinburne; Melbourne; and Victoria Universities. Registered provisional psychologists are also offering services at The Cairnmillar Institute.
PRIVATE COUNSELLORS
A counsellor uses talk-based approaches to help with life problems like grief, relationships or addiction. Note that in Australia anyone can call themselves a ‘counsellor’ or ‘psychotherapist’. For reassurance of an individual counsellor’s qualifications, you can check they are registered with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Alternatively, to search for a professional counsellor go to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; or the Australian Counselling Association.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A COUNSELLING SERVICE
It may take time to find the right counsellor for you, someone who you feel safe and comfortable with. You may need to try more than one counsellor or have more than one session before you know. To help choose a counsellor, here are some questions to consider asking:
- What is the concern I want help with (e.g. depression, HIV concerns, mental illness management, relationships, general wellbeing)?
- What are the counsellor’s fields of interest and experience? Try and match your concerns with your service provider, discuss with your doctor or HIV peer support worker.
- Is the counsellor or psychologist accredited by a professional body? Accredited and registered providers are recommended to ensure they comply with current standards, practice and knowledge.
- If this is relevant to your needs, ask if the counsellor has HIV awareness or seek referral to a counselling service through a HIV organisation or HIV-experienced medical clinic.
- Counsellors may have different approaches. You may want to talk about this or do research online to see what approaches are available.
- What happens in a typical counselling session? How long are they?
- Is there a wait time to get in to the service, and how many sessions can you attend?
- Can you make contact between sessions? What happens when you or the counsellor take holidays?
- What happens after you finish therapy? Could you come back again? Will you be part of the decision-making process?
- How much will it cost? Does the counsellor offer concessions? Keep in mind that the price may have no bearing on the quality of service.
FURTHER USEFUL LINKS
Counsellors and counselling – what is it and how it can help | healthdirect
Who’s who in mental health services – Better Health Channel
Counsellors – Better Health Channel
Current mental health resources and support services | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)
Mental health support (mhvic.org.au)