Thank you for considering Bellingen Psychology. Please take a moment to read through the following terms and conditions to ensure you have a clear understanding of our services and policies.

Appointment Length:

The duration of each appointment is determined by the type of service booked. Appointment times are allocated to ensure sufficient opportunity for assessment, intervention, and discussion as required for the individual client.

Fees:

     Fees vary depending on the type and length of service and reflect the time, expertise, and resources required to support your individual needs.  Please refer to the Fees Table on our website.

You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $98.95 (As of July 2025) per session if you are referred by you General Practitioner, or Pediatrician under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

MHCPs allow ten sessions per calendar year. Six sessions are authorised initially; a review with your doctor is required for additional sessions. Provide your MHCP before or at your first session.

Please speak with your doctor about whether you are eligible for this prior to making your first booking if you wish to access the rebate.  

Payment:

We securely collect your card details through your intake forms. Session fees are automatically charged at the start of each appointment.

If a payment doesn’t go through, Halaxy will try two more times. If it still fails, we’ll email you an invoice, which must be paid before your next appointment, otherwise, your appointment will be cancelled and/or you’ll need to rebook once payment is complete.

Medicare rebates (if applicable) are applied automatically at the same time.

Cancellation Policy:

·         More than 24 hours’ notice: no fee.

·         Less than 24 hours’ notice: 50% of the standard session fee for the first late cancellation and 100% of the standard session fee for every last cancellation thereafter.

The cancellation fee is billed at the standard rate ($220.00) and is not eligible for Medicare rebates.

If a cancellation fee cannot be processed automatically, Halaxy will attempt two more times. If still unsuccessful, an invoice will be sent, which must be paid before booking further appointments.

Contact Information:

For any question or queries please email contact@bellingenpsychology.com.au

Please note we are not a 24/7 crisis service and if you are in need of urgent care, please call 000 or 1800 011 511 (NSW Mental Health Line). 

Privacy and Confidentiality:

Your privacy is of utmost importance. We collect and record personal information relevant to your situation, which is treated as confidential and securely stored.

Exceptions to confidentiality include:

·Situations where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others,

·If subpoenaed by a court,

·Or if disclosure is necessary to report serious crimes, domestic violence, or child abuse.

Privacy Note Regarding Medicare Rebates:

Your personal information collected for Medicare rebates is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988. This information is used by the Australian Government Department of Human Services for payment and service administration purposes. More information about the handling of personal information can be found on their website.

Privacy Note Regarding Halaxy:

Bellingen Psychology utilises Halaxy, a secure healthcare management software, to streamline our appointment scheduling, billing, and record-keeping processes, ensuring your personal and health information is managed with the utmost confidentiality and security.

Halaxy's privacy and confidentiality policy outlines the principles and practices for handling personal information, ensuring it is collected, stored, used, and disclosed responsibly and securely. Key elements of the policy include:

• Types of Information Collected: Halaxy collects a range of personal information necessary for providing healthcare services. This includes names, addresses, contact details, dates of birth, health information, and payment details. The collection methods are lawful and relevant to the service provided.

• Purpose of Information Collection: The primary purpose for collecting personal information is to deliver healthcare services effectively. This involves treatment planning, monitoring progress, and managing the patient-practitioner relationship. Secondary purposes include training staff, legal compliance, and internal administration.

• Use and Disclosure of Information: Personal information is used strictly for the reasons it was collected unless consent is given for other uses. Information may be shared with third parties involved in the provision of healthcare, such as billing services and other healthcare providers, but only to the extent necessary and with appropriate safeguards.

• Security Measures: Halaxy implements robust security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. This includes secure storage solutions, access controls, and regular security audits to ensure compliance with privacy laws and best practices.

• Access and Correction Rights: Clients have the right to access and correct their personal information held by Halaxy. Requests for access or correction are handled promptly and transparently, ensuring that any inaccuracies are rectified.

• Anonymity and De-identification: Clients have the option to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym where feasible. Personal information that is no longer needed for its original purpose is either destroyed or de-identified.

These measures demonstrate Halaxy's commitment to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of client information, fostering trust and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards​.

If you have any questions regarding these terms and conditions, please do not hesitate to make contact before your first session on: support@bellingenpsychology.com.au

*The APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees 2024-2025 has the standard 46 to 60-minute consultation fee at $311.