BHN proudly provides quality, affordable services so everyone can get the healthcare they need.
Most fees at BHN are based on a co-payment model. This means the government pays for most of the service (directly to BHN) and clients pay an amount based on their income (the co-payment).
Fees charged by BHN are used to enhance and expand our services.
If you are experiencing financial hardship or have concerns about your fees, please speak to our friendly staff. All information shared with us is confidential.
Changes to BHN Fees from February, 2025
From February 2025 the fees we charge for some services will change. This will align fees across all BHN sites.
Most fees will go down or stay the same.
The exceptions to this:
- A 60-minute Children’s Services appointment at South Melbourne, Prahran or St Kilda on the low-income band will increase from $0 to $5. A 30-minute appointment remains $0.
- A 60-minute appointment, some groups and some assessments and reports for adults on the high-income band or Home Care Packages will increase.
Please speak to your clinician or call 132 246 if you have any questions.
The following services may have fees.
- Cardiac Rehab
- Community Health Nursing
- Counselling at East Bentleigh
- Diabetes Education
- Dietetics – adults and children
- Exercise Physiology
- Occupational Therapy – adults and children
- Physiotherapy– adults and children
- Podiatry– adults and children
- Psychology for children
- Social Support Physical Health Group
- Speech Pathology for children
| Low Income | 30 min | 60 min | Groups | Hydrotherapy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child and youth (0-18 years) | 0 | $5 | $5 | $10 |
| Adult Allied Health and Nursing | $5 | $10 | $5 | $10 |
- Adult counselling and smoking cessation (if eligible) is free
- Non face-to-face services are an additional pro rata amount at the hourly rate. This includes travel to home or community and specialist reports. Child and youth rate is $5 and adults $10 per hour pro rata
- Off site groups may pay the venue costs rather than a co-payment to BHN
| High Income or Home Care Package | 30 min | 60 min | Group of 2 or 3 people | Group of 4 or more people | Hydrotherapy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child and youth (0-18) years | $90 | $150 | $70 | $25 | $30 |
| Adult Allied Health and Nursing | $90 | $150 | $70 | $25 | $30 |
- Non face-to-face services are an additional pro rata amount of the hourly rate. This includes travel to home or community and specialist reports at $150 per hour pro rata
BHN follows the Community Health income ranges set by the government. For more details, please visit the website: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/community-health/community-health-fees-schedule-and-income-ranges
FAQ’s Fees and Co-payments for clients
How much is it to see a counsellor?
Counselling is free for low-income clients. High-income clients or those with a Home Care Package will pay a fee. See our fees page for more information.
Can I use Medicare bulk-billing to see a GP?
Our GP clinic at South Melbourne is a mixed-billing (private and bulk billing) practice.
We offer bulk billed appointments for
- Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- Veterans Affairs Card Holders
- Children under the age of 16 and students
- Refugee and eligible asylum seekers
- People who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness
- Patients at the doctor's discretion
Our private fees include a $35 gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate. Clients can pay private fees via EFT, Cash, Credit Card (not AMEX) or online (online payments attract an additional surcharge). Medicare rebates can be processed immediately if the client pays through the HICAPS machine at our clinic.
Can I use Medicare bulk-billing to see an Allied Health Professional?
Our adult Allied Health Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) clinics at South Melbourne and Prahran are mixed billing (private and bulk-billing) practices.
- Clients in the low-income band will be Medicare Bulk-billed.
- All other clients can access the Medicare rebate. The full fee will need to be paid and we will process the rebate for you. The rebate of $60.35 will take about 48 hours be refunded.
OR
- You can use your private Health insurance extras.
You cannot use the Medicare rebate and private health insurance for the same appointment.
What if I have a concession card or pension card?
Clients with a concession or pension card are in the low-income band. See fees page for details.
How do I pay my fees?
Fees can be paid on the day at reception with cash, debit card or credit card.
For some services, you may receive an invoice to pay after the appointment.
What can I do if I can’t pay the fees? Can I have a fee waiver or fee reduction?
BHN fees for most clients are kept low. If you have financial difficulty and cannot pay, you can apply for a fee waiver. We will ask the reason for the waiver and the length of time it is required as this must be documented. If this applies to you, please speak to your clinician.
What happens if I can’t pay my invoice within the time frame?
If you can’t pay your invoice within the timeframe stated on the invoice, please email or phone our friendly finance team (details on the invoice) and they will talk you through your options.
I don’t get paid until after this appointment, can I pay for the next 2 appointments together?
We recommend not letting multiple appointment fees stack up as this could make payment down the track even harder. We can send you an invoice or you can pay next time you are at a site. Talk to your clinician when you are at your appointment.
I just started on a Home Care Package and now I pay more than I used to, why is this?
Because the government funds your Home Care Package to cover the cost of the service (rather than providing the funding to BHN) BHN needs to charge the full cost of the service.
This is why the rate appears different for clients using their Home Care Package compared with clients paying using Community Health funding.
The amount paid to BHN is about the same, but for Community Health clients, most of the funding is provided by the Government and therefore not seen by clients.
The government requires that Home Care Package and NDIS clients use their HCP/NDIS funding before they can use other funding sources. This ensures clients don’t access multiple funding sources, potentially causing other clients to miss out on vital services.
NDIS and Home Care package appointments charge a cancellation fee for a late notice cancellation.
Do I have to use my Home Care Package funding for services at BHN?
Generally, yes. In most instances you need to use the Home Care Package funding because the government has provided this funding to access these services.
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) clinic – What if I forget to bring in my Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan.
You will pay the full fee for the appointment if a new Enhanced Primary Care Plan is not provided.
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) clinic - Will I get bulk-billed with a concession card?
Yes, your appointment will be bulk-billed if you have a concession card and eligible Enhanced Primary Care Plan.
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) clinic - What is the gap payment?
When you pay for the MBS clinic, you can receive the rebate amount of $60.35. BHN will apply for the rebate for you and Medicare will send the rebate your bank account registered with them.
What to do if you need to reschedule your appointment.
Please tell us as soon as possible, if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
This will enable us to book other clients into the appointment time and help to reduce our waiting times.
Some services (including NDIS or Home Care Package appointments) may charge a fee if you cancel close to the time of the appointment. This is because we are not able to replace your appointment with another client.
Speak to our friendly staff to understand the cancellation rules for your service.