The title and how it is regulated
Australia registers fourteen health professions nationally through AHPRA — including medical practitioners and psychologists — but neither counselling nor psychotherapy, and “sexologist” or “sex therapist” is a term anyone may use. A sexologist who is not a registered practitioner is not bound by the national health-practitioner law, only by consumer law and by whatever professional body they belong to.
The reference body is the Society of Australian Sexologists, which accredits psychosexual therapists and sexuality educators on the basis of postgraduate study in sexology — offered by a handful of universities — supervised practice and continuing professional development. Psychologists, doctors, nurses and social workers make up most of its accredited members; counsellors accredited by PACFA or the Australian Counselling Association add a second layer of accountability.
Medicare pays doctors, so a GP, urologist, gynaecologist or endocrinologist can investigate erectile dysfunction, pain or hormonal causes with a rebate. It also pays part of psychological treatment under the Better Access scheme: with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, up to ten sessions a year with a registered psychologist or eligible social worker or occupational therapist carry a rebate — higher for clinical psychologists. The plan requires an assessed mental disorder, so a sexual difficulty on its own does not always qualify; anxiety or depression accompanying it usually does. Sexologists who are not registered psychologists get no rebate.
State-funded sexual health clinics and the family-planning organisations offer psychosexual counselling at low cost in some cities. Privately, sessions run from about 150 to 250 dollars, more for psychologists; private health extras cover psychology and sometimes counselling, according to the policy.
Key points
| Title | Unregulated; not an AHPRA profession |
|---|---|
| Regulated professions nearby | Medical practitioner, psychologist (AHPRA); counselling voluntary (PACFA, ACA) |
| Reference accreditation | Society of Australian Sexologists: accredited psychosexual therapist |
| Medicare, doctors | Rebates for GP and specialist consultations |
| Medicare, psychology | Better Access: up to 10 sessions a year with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, registered psychologist required |
| Sexologist not registered psychologist | No Medicare rebate; private health extras sometimes |
| Typical fee | About 150–250 dollars a session |
In practice
- Check AHPRA for the underlying registration and the Society of Australian Sexologists directory for accreditation.
- Ask your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan if anxiety, depression or trauma are part of the picture: the rebate applies to a registered psychologist.
- Family Planning and sexual health clinics in the state capitals offer lower-cost psychosexual counselling.
- Check the extras cover of your private health fund; psychology is usually included, counselling sometimes.
Cost and reimbursement
GP and specialists: Medicare rebate, gap possible. Registered psychologist under a plan: rebate on up to ten sessions a year, gap of 50 to 150 dollars common. Sexologist without registration: 150–250 dollars, out of pocket unless extras cover applies.
What has changed recently
Better Access sessions were cut back to ten a year in 2023 after the pandemic-era increase to twenty. No move to register counsellors or sexologists nationally is under way.
Where to go
- Society of Australian Sexologists: directory of accredited members.
- AHPRA: register of psychologists and medical practitioners.
- Family Planning organisations and state sexual health clinics.
- PACFA and Australian Counselling Association: accredited counsellors.
Worth knowing
Because anyone may call themselves a sexologist, the accreditation and the underlying registration are the only meaningful checks. A rebate is possible only through a registered psychologist under a plan, never through the title.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover sex therapy?
Not as such. It rebates doctors, and psychologists under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for an assessed mental disorder, up to ten sessions a year.
How do I find an accredited sexologist?
Through the Society of Australian Sexologists directory; check the person's AHPRA registration if they claim to be a psychologist or doctor.
Are sexologists regulated in Australia?
No. The profession is not registered under the national law; accreditation by the Society of Australian Sexologists is voluntary.
Official sources and links
- Society of Australian Sexologists — accredited psychosexual therapists
- AHPRA — register of psychologists and medical practitioners
- Services Australia — Medicare mental health — Better Access rebates
- Federal Register of Legislation — Commonwealth law as made and in force
- Services Australia — government services and payments