Safe Refuge
Direct private booking
- The advertised Safe Refuge fee is the amount you pay.
- No Medicare rebate applies to Safe Refuge sessions.
- No GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is needed to contact or book Safe Refuge.
Our Fees
Honest Pricing, No Surprises
Safe Refuge is a private counselling practice. Current session, block, and concession prices are published here so you can understand the cost before booking.
50 minutes
Standard Session
$140
Our headline rate. Paid at the end of each session.
6 × 50 minutes
6-Session Block
$780
$130 per session. Valid for 10 weeks. A gentle commitment that brings your effective cost down.
10 × 50 minutes
10-Session Block
$1,250
$125 per session. For longer trauma and attachment work.
50 minutes
Concession
$110
For healthcare card holders, pensioners, and women in verified financial hardship. Limited places are subject to current availability.
Medicare & Referrals
What You Pay at Safe Refuge
Safe Refuge is a private counselling service. Our sessions are not eligible for a Medicare rebate, and you do not need a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan to book with us.
Better Access
A separate Medicare program
Better Access has its own eligibility, referral, practitioner, and billing rules. Eligible patients can claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental health treatment services in a calendar year. An initial course can include up to 6 services; a further referral is required for a subsequent course up to the annual limit.
Medicare benefits are only available when the person and service meet the applicable Better Access rules and the service is provided by an eligible practitioner. Health professionals set their own fees, so Medicare may cover only part of the cost.
Official Australian Government guidance
- Department of Health: Better Access Initiative resource collection
- Department of Health: Better Access example scenario (12 March 2026)
- Services Australia: requirements of a Mental Health Treatment Plan
- Services Australia: MBS billing rules for mental health services
Government program rules can change. Check the linked sources or speak with your GP or Services Australia about your eligibility.
What You Get
A Session at Safe Refuge
- A 50-minute one-on-one session with Aana Carpenter
- A quiet, private counselling space in Mount Barker
- Online counselling when a remote appointment is a better fit
- The choice to book one session or select a prepaid block
- A pace and session frequency discussed around your needs
- Direct booking without a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan
Clear Answers
Fees, Medicare & Referrals
These are the practical questions people most often ask before booking.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate for Safe Refuge sessions?
No. Safe Refuge sessions are not eligible for a Medicare rebate. The price shown on this page is the amount you pay to Safe Refuge.
Do I need a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan to book?
No. You can contact and book Safe Refuge directly. A GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are not required for a Safe Refuge appointment.
Is Better Access the same as booking Safe Refuge?
No. Better Access is a separate Medicare program. Medicare benefits are available only when a person meets the program eligibility and referral rules and receives a covered service from an eligible practitioner. Safe Refuge sessions are outside that program.
How many individual services can Better Access cover?
Eligible patients can claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental health treatment services per calendar year. The initial course is up to 6 services, with a new referral required for a subsequent course up to the annual limit.
Access
Concession & Hardship
A limited number of $110 concession places are reserved for healthcare card holders, pensioners, and women experiencing verified financial hardship. Please ask about current availability before booking.
Next Step
Book a Discovery Call
A short, free conversation to explore what is troubling you and whether Safe Refuge is the right fit. No pressure to book anything further.