Free Guided Low‑Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Now Available Through Medicare

Free guided low‑intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) is now available through Medicare Mental Health Check In, expanding access to evidence‑based support for people experiencing mild mental health challenges.

Services and teams are encouraged to begin discussing Medicare Mental Health Check In with help‑seekers where appropriate, to support early intervention and timely access to care.

What is Guided LiCBT?

Guided LiCBT provides people with mild mental health concerns access to structured, evidence‑based digital support, delivered with the guidance of a trained practitioner via telehealth. Practitioners assist individuals to work through LiCBT tools and modules that are tailored to each person’s goals and needs, offering practical support in a flexible and accessible format.

Access and Referral Pathway

The Medicare Mental Health phone service is currently the sole entry point to Medicare Mental Health Check In. The phone service plays a critical role in identifying people who are eligible and determining whether Medicare Mental Health Check In is an appropriate option.

The service provider, St Vincent’s Health Australia, has been actively engaging with phone service intake teams to support confidence and consistency in referrals. A number of drop‑in sessions are scheduled over the next two weeks, and St Vincent’s Health Australia is also available to provide one‑on‑one sessions on request.

For further information or to request a one‑on‑one session, staff can contact Brian Maruziva at brian.maruziva@svha.org.au.

Additional Support Options

Interpreter services are available in more than 150 languages for guided sessions, helping to ensure accessibility for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Looking ahead, self‑guided LiCBT will be available from 30 May 2026, offering an option for people who prefer to work through online tools independently.

Updated Resources Available

Updated website content and supporting materials are now live, reflecting the availability of guided LiCBT through Medicare Mental Health Check In. These resources provide further information to support conversations with help‑seekers and to promote awareness of this new service offering.