About bullying
Bullying at school or online can cause anxiety, isolation, low mood and school refusal. Psychological support helps the child or teenager and the family, and professionals can coordinate with the school. If there is immediate risk, involve the school and, if needed, the authorities.
Educational therapists (psychopedagogues) support children, teenagers and adults with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or attention problems, study techniques and school guidance, in coordination with families and schools.
Getting mental health care in Australia
Public health system · Medicare (Better Access initiative) and state and territory public mental health services
Medicare pays rebates for a limited number of sessions with a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative, usually after a GP referral with a mental health plan; the psychologist may charge a gap fee. State and territory public mental health services treat more severe conditions.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Psychology Board of Australia, through Ahpra. Psychologist is a protected title and registration is mandatory nationally. The public register shows registration status and any area of practice endorsement, such as clinical psychology. Search the official register
- Medical Board of Australia, through Ahpra. Psychiatrists must be registered as medical practitioners with specialist registration in psychiatry. Search the official register
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, through Ahpra. Occupational therapists must be registered nationally. Search the official register
Typical private fees
- Session with a psychologist
- $318 – $330
Australian Psychological Society suggested fee for a 46-60 minute consultation: 318 (2025-26) and 330 (2026-27); each psychologist sets their own fee. Sources
Urgent help in Australia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 000 · Triple Zero (000)
- 13 11 14 · Lifeline
- 1300 659 467 · Suicide Call Back Service
- 1300 22 4636 · Beyond Blue Support Service
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ahpra.gov.au, psychology.org.au
Signs to look out for
Bullying is repeated, intentional harm by others, whether physical, verbal, social exclusion or online. Signs in a child or teenager may include not wanting to go to school, unexplained injuries or damaged belongings, changes in mood or sleep, headaches or stomach aches, dropping grades, losing friends, or becoming anxious after using their phone. Many young people do not tell adults straight away.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Effective responses combine action at school, with whole-school anti-bullying programmes and clear protocols, and emotional support for the young person. Psychologists, child and adolescent psychologists and educational psychologists can help with anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and social skills, often using cognitive-behavioural approaches. Family guidance helps parents respond calmly. Support may also be offered to those who bully.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager has been seriously assaulted, is being threatened with violence, or expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, which should always be taken seriously. Seek urgent help too when there is sexual harassment, extortion or sharing of intimate images online, and keep evidence such as screenshots.
What you can do in the meantime
Listen calmly, believe the young person and tell them it is not their fault. Avoid confronting the other child or family directly; instead, document what happened and contact the school to agree on a plan. Help them stay connected to friends and activities outside school. Review privacy settings together for online bullying, and keep checking in regularly.
What does a educational therapist do?
An educational therapist, known in Spanish as a psicopedagogo, helps children, teenagers and adults learn more effectively. Day to day they identify how a person learns, assess difficulties with reading, writing, maths, organisation or study skills, and design practical intervention plans. They work individually with students and coordinate closely with families and schools, adapting materials and strategies to each learner.
When to see a educational therapist
It can help when a student works hard but grades do not reflect it, struggles with reading or writing, finds it hard to organise or plan, needs support after a diagnosis such as dyslexia or ADHD, or is changing school stage. If there are significant emotional or behavioural problems, or a formal psychological diagnosis is needed, an educational or clinical psychologist should be involved.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Australia cover psychological care?
Medicare pays rebates for a limited number of sessions with a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative, usually after a GP referral with a mental health plan; the psychologist may charge a gap fee. State and territory public mental health services treat more severe conditions.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in Australia?
Psychology Board of Australia, through Ahpra: Psychologist is a protected title and registration is mandatory nationally. The public register shows registration status and any area of practice endorsement, such as clinical psychology.
How much does a session with a psychologist cost in Australia?
Usually between $318 and $330 per individual session in private practice. Australian Psychological Society suggested fee for a 46-60 minute consultation: 318 (2025-26) and 330 (2026-27); each psychologist sets their own fee.