Fees & FAQs

We use Halaxy's secure online payment system to make payment simple and hassle-free.

First Session Deposit

To secure your first session, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The deposit is credited toward the total cost of your first session, so you simply pay the remaining balance on the day.

Session Payments

Session fees are automatically processed using your nominated credit or debit card between 8:00 am and 9:00 am on the morning of your session.

If a Payment Doesn't Go Through

Occasionally, a payment may be declined due to expired card details or insufficient funds. If this happens, don't worry, we'll simply get in touch to help resolve the issue before your session.

If you have any questions about payments or need to update your card details, please contact us before your session, and we'll be happy to help.

If you are with AHM, BUPA, HCF, Medibank or Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG)*, you can claim rebates for counselling services with FirstSteps.

* ARGH includes: Police Health Fund, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, St Lukes Health, GMHBA, see-u by HBF (telehealth only), Teachers Union Health, AIA, Doctors Health Fund, and Westfund

If you are with another Private Health Insurance company and have extras cover, you may be eligible for a partial rebate depending on your fund and level of cover. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to check - ask specifically whether "counselling" or "mental health counselling" is covered under your extras.

Medicare rebates are not available for counselling services, so sessions do not attract a Mental Health Care Plan rebate. 

Why no Medicare rebates? Many people ask this. The honest answer is that registered psychologists and counsellors operate under different registration frameworks. FirstSteps offers trauma-informed counselling grounded in evidence-based approaches - delivered by a qualified, experienced clinical counsellor. The absence of a Medicare rebate reflects registration category, not quality of care.

YES - all sessions at FirstSteps are delivered online via video call. This means:

• No travel time, no waiting rooms

• You can attend from home, the beach, your car, your lunch break - wherever works for you

• Sessions are available to anyone, regardless of location

• Particularly suited to shift workers, FIFO workers, people in regional areas, and anyone with a busy or unpredictable schedule

You'll receive a secure video link before your session. All you need is a device with a camera and a private space for the duration of the call.

NO - You can book directly - no GP referral, no Mental Health Care Plan required.

The first session is about getting to know each other and understanding what's brought you here. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with. We'll talk about what you're experiencing, what you're hoping for, and what working together might look like. You're in control of the pace.

(For couples, the first session is longer - 90 minutes - and includes a comprehensive Gottman Connect relationship questionnaire and relationship history conversation.)

NO - We understand things change.  If something unexpected comes up, please get in touch as soon as possible - we'll always try to work with you.

YES - Your sessions are confidential and independent of your employer or organisation. This is your space, not theirs.

What you share stays between us. Like any counselling service, there are a few situations where confidentiality has limits - mainly if there are serious concerns about someone's safety, or where the law requires information to be provided.

These are standard professional requirements. We’ll explain them clearly at the beginning so you know exactly how confidentiality works and can feel comfortable knowing where you stand.

YES - We use Heidi Health, which is a secure voice-to-text transcription service where conversations are transcribed simultaneously while they happen.  That means there are no recordings ever stored! The service meets with the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act.  The information management systems are ISO27001 accredited for data security. Your data protection is our top priority.