What a counsellor costs in Australia, and what you get.

7 October 2026 · 6 min read

You have looked up counsellors and found that nobody wants to say what a session costs until you ring. Or you found prices, and they ranged so widely that you are not sure which one is normal.

Here is what is actually known, where the numbers come from, and how to tell what you will pay before you commit.

How much does a counsellor cost per session?

Counselling has no standard price. Healthdirect, the government-funded health information service, says the cost of mental health services can vary enormously, depending on where you live and which service you need.

The best figure we could find comes from the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. In a May 2021 survey of its members, the most commonly reported counselling fees were $100 to $160 per hour (46% of members). About a quarter of members charged less than $100, and about one in ten charged more than $160.

That survey is self-reported by one professional body's members, and it is a few years old, so treat it as a rough guide rather than a price list. Fees in big cities, for specialist work, or for couples sessions tend to sit higher.

Counselling is also different from psychology. A psychologist is an AHPRA-registered practitioner, which is a separate profession with its own fee structure. Our guide to counsellors and psychologists explains the difference, and what therapy costs in Australia sets out every model side by side.

Why do counsellor fees vary so much?

Fees vary because the costs behind them vary. The main drivers are:

• Where the practice is. A clinic room in a capital city carries rent that a home office does not.
• Admin and overheads. Reception, booking systems and insurance are built into the fee.
• Experience and specialisation. A practitioner with many years in a niche area often charges more.
• Session type. Couples and family sessions usually cost more than individual ones.
• Whether it is online. Online sessions skip the room and the commute, which is why prices can be lower without the person in the session being any less experienced.

Many counsellors also offer a sliding scale based on your finances, and PACFA notes that some private health funds offer rebates for counselling, depending on your policy. It costs nothing to ask.

Does Medicare cover counselling?

Sometimes, but not as often as people assume. Under the Australian Government's Better Access initiative, Medicare rebates apply to eligible providers: GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and eligible social workers and occupational therapists. You need a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, and the rebate covers up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year.

Two cautions. First, many counsellors are not on that list of eligible providers, so a rebate does not apply to their sessions. Ask before you book. Second, even where a rebate applies, providers set their own fees, so you often pay a gap on top. Healthdirect notes that almost all psychologists and psychiatrists charge one.

InnerHub sessions sit outside Medicare. InnerHub practitioners are experienced and qualified in their own countries, and they are not AHPRA-registered, so no rebate applies. That is also why there is no referral, no plan and no waiting for a GP appointment before your first session. Our guide to sessions outside Medicare explains how that works.

What does InnerHub cost?

InnerHub charges $59.90 AUD for a 50-minute video session. That is the whole price. There is no subscription and no gap, and you book one session at a time.

Over a month of weekly sessions, that is $239.60 AUD. You choose when to stop, and you can change practitioner without paying anything extra. Every practitioner profile shows their degree, the country it came from and their years of practice before you book. You can see the full terms on the pricing page.

What else should you ask before booking?

The advertised fee is only part of the cost. Before you commit, ask:

1. How long is the session? Some practices charge for 60 minutes, others 50.
2. Is that the full amount? Ask whether the quoted fee includes GST and any booking fees, so you know what you will actually pay.
3. What is the cancellation policy? Late-cancellation fees can add up.
4. What are the qualification and the training country? A lower price is fine. An unclear qualification is not.

Is there free or lower-cost support while you decide?

Yes, and it is worth using. The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free phone (1300 22 4636), webchat and email support at any hour. Community health services and some university clinics offer lower fees too. Our guide to affordable counselling in Australia lays out the free, subsidised and paid routes together.

What counselling cannot do

Counselling is a place to work through what you are carrying. It does not replace a doctor. InnerHub practitioners work within their training and refer honestly: if what you are carrying needs a GP or specialist care, they will say so.

When to get help sooner

InnerHub is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For support at any hour, Lifeline is on 13 11 14.

This article is general information for adults 18 and over. It is not financial, clinical or medical advice, and not a substitute for professional care.

General information, not clinical or medical advice. For adults 18 and over. InnerHub is not a crisis service: in an emergency call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.