Conditions we see
Most anxiety is well managed by a GP and a psychologist. When it has not eased enough, or it comes with other conditions, a psychiatrist can review the diagnosis and treatment and send a written plan to your GP.
In plain words
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. An anxiety disorder is when worry, fear or the physical signs of anxiety are strong, last a long time and get in the way of work, relationships or daily life.
There are several types, including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and specific phobias, and related conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Anxiety disorders are common, and they are usually treated with psychological therapy, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Source: Healthdirect: Anxiety.
When to ask
You do not need a psychiatrist for most anxiety. It is worth asking your GP about one in situations like these.
What we add
People usually come to us after a GP and a psychologist have done good work and the anxiety still has not eased enough. The psychiatrist’s job is to find out why.
Related services: ADHD and anxiety, Ongoing psychiatry care
Your first appointment
A new appointment can feel like a big step when you live with anxiety, so it helps to know what you will be asked. Expect questions about what your anxiety looks like day to day, when it started, what sets it off and what you do to cope. Some people find it easier to write a few notes beforehand and read from them, and that is fine.
Bring the name of your psychologist if you have one, a short summary of the therapy you have had, and a list of anything you take for anxiety or sleep, including over-the-counter and herbal products. If coming into the clinic feels hard, you are welcome to bring someone with you.
Referral and scope
Your GP can refer you directly, and if your psychologist has written a summary of your therapy, ask your GP to attach it.
Your GP will find the steps on how to refer. To check we're the right fit, send a short enquiry and leave clinical details out.
We see adults aged 17 and over, so if you are younger, your GP can refer you to a child and adolescent service instead. Everything we see and don't see is listed on our page for referrers.
Outcome Health Psychiatry & Mental Health Services is a private service and is not a crisis service. If you need help now, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Fees
Often a psychiatrist’s opinion and written plan is enough for your GP and psychologist to carry forward. Where longer-term input makes sense, short follow-ups and nurse appointments keep costs lower between reviews.
Medicare rebates are estimates only and depend on referral type, eligibility, consultation duration, the item actually billed and the psychiatrist’s clinical judgement. The Medicare Safety Net, DVA arrangements, third-party funding, payment processing fees and cancellation fees are not included in the gap estimates.
Payment is required in advance for all appointments. The full schedule, including every item, is on our fees and FAQ page.
Questions
If anxiety is affecting your work, relationships or daily life and what you have tried so far has not helped enough, it is worth talking to your GP about a referral. Your GP can also call us to check whether we are the right fit.
Our psychiatrists focus on assessment, diagnosis, medication advice and review. Our mental health nurses offer support and therapy-informed care between reviews, and the psychiatrist can refer you to a psychologist for structured therapy.
To see the psychiatrist and claim a Medicare rebate, yes, you need a current referral from your GP or a Nurse Practitioner. Mental health nursing appointments do not need a referral.
If your GP mainly wants an opinion and a plan, the psychiatrist assessment (item A1) is $1,000, with an estimated out-of-pocket cost of about $530 after the Medicare rebate. Mental Health Nurse appointments (A7) are $160 with no Medicare rebate. Any rebate shown is an estimate, and every appointment is paid ahead of time.
Resources
Conditions we treat · June 2026
Most adults who experience one will experience the other. Here is a plain-language look at what your GP can manage, what changes when a psychiatrist is involved, and how to know when it is worth asking for a referral.
For patients · June 2026
Three different mental health roles, three different jobs. A plain-language guide to who does what and how to choose the right starting point.
How we work · June 2026
Before you ever walk into a psychiatry appointment, you should know exactly what to expect. Here's the structure of a first appointment with us: what we'll ask, what you'll leave with, and how long it takes.
