Payment & Fee Policy
Last Updated: November 2025
Conscious Mind Centre is committed to transparent, ethical, and patient-centered care. We provide clear information about all fees associated with psychological services so you can make informed decisions about your treatment. Patients are encouraged to ask questions about fees at any time, and financial consent can be revisited if your circumstances change.
Fee Information and Informed Consent
Before your first appointment, our Administration Team will provide written information outlining:
- The cost of each appointment type (initial consultation, standard sessions, telehealth, and face-to-face)
- Any additional fees (such as reports, letters, or extended services)
- Accepted payment methods
- Our payment, cancellation, and late payment procedures
We will confirm your understanding and consent to these terms prior to scheduling your first appointment. Financial consent is recorded at the time of booking as part of your clinical record. Reduced-fee and bulk-billing services are not offered.
If Medicare rebates apply and you choose to claim, these are processed after payment is received (or submitted by you, if you self-claim).
Payment Terms
Initial Appointment (New Patients)
Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your appointment, ensuring clinician time and clinic resources are reserved for you. Payments may be made via EFTPOS, credit card, or cash.
For patients funded by third-parties, other arrangements may apply. Please speak with our Administration Team.
Ongoing Appointments
- Telehealth: Payment is processed before your appointment. Our Administration Team will contact you on the day of your session.
- Face-to-face: Payment is made at reception following your appointment.
- Third-party funders: Invoices are issued after each session in accordance with funding requirements.
Cancellations and Non-Attendance
- 48+ hours notice: No fee applies.
- Under 48 hours: A reasonable late-cancellation fee applies, as the reserved appointment time cannot be offered to another patient. Our Administration Team will contact you to process payment.
- Non-attendance: If we are unable to reach you at 5 minutes and 15 minutes past your appointment time, the session will be cancelled and charged at the full fee.
We understand that emergencies and unexpected situations occur. If you are unwell or facing genuine circumstances that prevent you from attending, please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss available options. For full details, see our Cancellation and No-Show Policy.
Late Payment
If payment is not received by the due date:
- We will contact you to arrange payment and discuss any difficulties you may be experiencing.
- If payment is not arranged, a written invoice will be issued with 3 business days to finalise payment.
- If payment remains outstanding after this period, your account may be referred to an external debt recovery service.
Debt Recovery
If referral to debt recovery becomes necessary:
- Only the minimum information required for recovery will be shared, in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian Privacy Principles (APP’s), and Australian Consumer Law.
- Additional fees charged by the debt recovery agency will be your responsibility.
- You may request information about how your personal data is being managed during this process.
- We will always make reasonable attempts to contact you before referral to debt recovery.
Financial Hardship
We recognise that financial difficulties can arise. If you are experiencing hardship, please contact our Administration Team as early as possible. We may be able to:
- Discuss alternative arrangements that support continuity of care
- Provide information about financial counselling services
Pausing Services for Unpaid Accounts
Where an account remains unpaid and no alternative arrangement has been made, we may need to pause ongoing treatment. Before this occurs:
- You will receive written notice and up to 3 business days to arrange payment.
- We will assess any clinical risk associated with pausing treatment.
- If needed, we will refer you back to your GP or original referrer to ensure continuity of care and safe access to alternative services.
Disputes or Concerns
If you believe a fee has been applied in error or wish to dispute a charge, please contact our Administration Team promptly. We will review your concern and respond within 5 business days.
Feedback may also be directed to our Practice Manager at admin@consciousmindcentre.com.au.