Funding Terminology Glossary
Understanding funding terms can be confusing. This glossary provides clear, plain language explanations for common psychology funding terminology.
Simplifies funding terminology
A
agency-managed
Plain language: the NDIA handles payments for you
The National Disability Insurance Agency manages your funds and pays providers
agent
Plain language: insurance company handling your claim
The organisation managing your WorkCover or injury claim on behalf of the insurer
accepted condition
Plain language: injury or illness DVA will pay for
A condition officially linked to your military service that DVA covers
annual limit
Plain language: maximum you can claim per year
The total amount your health fund will pay for a service each year
B
bulk billing
Plain language: no out-of-pocket cost
When a provider accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment
Better Access
Plain language: Medicare program for mental health
A Medicare initiative providing rebates for psychology sessions with a GP referral
C
Capacity Building
Plain language: funding for skills and therapy
NDIS funding for supports that help you build skills and independence
Core Supports
Plain language: funding for daily living help
NDIS funding for everyday activities and assistance
Comcare
Plain language: federal workplace injury insurance
Covers injuries for Australian government employees
Clinical Psychologist
Plain language: psychologist with extra training (higher Medicare refund)
A psychologist with additional postgraduate clinical training
claim number
Plain language: your injury case reference number
The unique number assigned to your workplace injury claim
capacity certificate
Plain language: document showing what work you can do
A certificate from your treating practitioner about your ability to work
common law claim
Plain language: suing for accident compensation
Legal action to receive additional compensation beyond standard TAC benefits
Comcare
Plain language: federal government workplace injury insurance
Insurance covering work injuries for Australian government employees
D
DVA
Plain language: veterans' support funding
Department of Veterans' Affairs – provides healthcare for veterans
DVA
Plain language: veterans' support funding
Department of Veterans' Affairs – provides healthcare funding for veterans
E
EAP
Plain language: free workplace counselling
Employee Assistance Program – free counselling sessions provided by your employer
evidence-based
Plain language: proven by research
Treatments that have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective
extras cover
Plain language: health insurance for non-hospital services
The part of private health insurance that may cover psychology sessions
excess
Plain language: amount you pay before insurance kicks in
A set amount you pay first before your health fund covers the rest
G
gap fee
Plain language: amount you pay after the refund
The difference between the session cost and your Medicare refund
Gold Card
Plain language: full DVA health coverage
DVA card that covers all clinically necessary health services
gap payment
Plain language: amount you pay after insurance
What you pay out of pocket after your health fund contribution
H
hospital cover
Plain language: health insurance for hospital stays
Insurance covering treatment when you're admitted to hospital
HICAPS
Plain language: instant health fund claiming
A system that lets you claim your health fund rebate on the spot
I
initial assessment
Plain language: first session to understand your needs
Your first appointment where the psychologist learns about you and your goals
IME
Plain language: independent medical examination
An examination by a doctor chosen by the insurer to assess your condition
impairment benefit
Plain language: payment for permanent injury
A lump sum payment for injuries that cause permanent impairment
M
Mental Health Treatment Plan
Plain language: a referral from your GP for mental health support
A document from your GP that allows you to claim Medicare rebates for psychology sessions
MHTP
Plain language: GP referral
Mental Health Treatment Plan – a referral from your GP
Medicare rebate
Plain language: money back from the government
A partial refund you receive from Medicare after paying for your session
N
NDIS
Plain language: National Disability Insurance Scheme (government disability funding)
A government program that helps fund supports for people with disabilities
NDIS participant
Plain language: person with NDIS funding
Someone who has been approved for NDIS support
no gap
Plain language: fully covered by your insurance
When your health fund pays the full cost with nothing extra to pay
no gap fee
Plain language: nothing extra to pay
When your funder covers the full cost of your session
O
out-of-pocket
Plain language: what you actually pay
The final amount you pay after any rebates or refunds
Orange Card
Plain language: DVA pharmaceutical coverage
DVA card for prescription medication benefits only
Open Arms
Plain language: free veterans counselling service
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides free mental health support
P
plan-managed
Plain language: your plan manager pays the bills
A plan manager handles your NDIS payments and paperwork for you
private health insurance
Plain language: your health cover
Private insurance you pay for that may cover some psychology costs
provisional psychologist
Plain language: psychologist in supervised training (no Medicare rebate)
A psychologist with provisional registration who sees clients under the regular supervision of a board-approved, fully registered psychologist while completing the final stage of training. Sessions don't attract a Medicare rebate, but you can still come with a GP referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan. For private health cover, check with your fund.
pre-approval
Plain language: permission needed before treatment
Approval from your insurer required before starting certain treatments
per-session limit
Plain language: maximum rebate per appointment
The most your health fund will pay back for a single appointment
progress report
Plain language: update on your treatment progress
A report your psychologist sends to your funder about how your treatment is going
R
rebate
Plain language: refund
Money you get back after paying
Registered Psychologist
Plain language: qualified psychologist
A psychologist registered to practice in Australia
recognised provider
Plain language: practitioner your health fund covers
A health professional your insurance company will pay rebates for
referral validity
Plain language: how long your referral lasts
The time period during which your referral can be used for appointments
S
self-managed
Plain language: you control your own NDIS budget
You manage your NDIS funding yourself and pay providers directly
support item
Plain language: type of service funded
A specific category of support that NDIS will pay for
service agreement
Plain language: written agreement about your care
A document outlining what services you'll receive and the costs
SRCA
Plain language: workplace injury law for federal employees
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act – covers federal government workers
session allocation
Plain language: number of sessions approved
How many therapy sessions your funding covers
T
TAC
Plain language: car accident injury funding
Transport Accident Commission – covers treatment for car accident injuries
third-party funder
Plain language: organisation paying on your behalf
An insurance or government body that pays for your treatment
telehealth
Plain language: video or phone sessions
Therapy conducted via video call or phone
therapeutic relationship
Plain language: trust between you and your psychologist
The professional bond that develops between client and therapist
TAC
Plain language: car accident injury funding
Transport Accident Commission – covers treatment for car accident injuries in Victoria
TAC claim
Plain language: car accident injury case
Your application for TAC to cover treatment for car accident injuries
third-party funder
Plain language: organisation paying on your behalf
An insurance or government body that pays for your treatment
treatment plan
Plain language: your therapy roadmap
A document outlining your therapy goals and how you'll work towards them
V
VVCS
Plain language: veterans and families counselling
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service – free counselling for veterans
W
WorkCover
Plain language: workplace injury insurance
Insurance that covers treatment for injuries that happened at work
WorkCover
Plain language: workplace injury insurance
Government insurance that covers treatment for injuries that happened at work
WorkSafe
Plain language: Victoria's workplace injury insurer
The Victorian government authority managing workplace injury claims
White Card
Plain language: DVA coverage for accepted conditions
DVA card that covers treatment for specific service-related conditions
waiting period
Plain language: time before you can claim
The period after joining before you can claim benefits for certain services