Understanding the Costs

Cost shouldn't be the thing that stops you from getting help. Victoria has a strong public AOD system - most counselling is genuinely free if you have a Medicare card.

Free / publicly funded options

• State-funded AOD counselling through services like Turning Point, cohealth, Odyssey House and your local community health centre — free for Medicare card holders.

• DirectLine and Counselling Online — phone and online counselling, free, 24/7, no referral needed.

• Medicare Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) — see your GP, then access up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year at a Medicare rebate (or fully bulk-billed at some clinics).

• Peer support groups — SMART Recovery, Marijuana Anonymous, SHARC. Free, no referral, drop in.

• NDIS — if you have an NDIS plan, certain therapeutic supports may be funded. Ask your support coordinator.

Private options (paid)

Private services often have shorter waitlists and more choice of practitioner, but you pay for them. Approximate costs in Victoria:

• Private psychologist (without an MHCP): around $200–$300 per session.

• Private outpatient AOD counselling: around $60–$180 per hour.

• Private residential rehab: around $15,000–$65,000 for a 28-day program.

Private health insurance may cover part of residential rehab if you're on an appropriate hospital cover policy — worth checking with your fund.