Description of figure MBS.5 - Source data: Medicare-subsidised mental health-specific services tables (142KB XLS)
Average number of services per patient
In 2018–19, patients in the Northern Territory had the lowest average number of Medicare-subsidised mental health-specific services per patient (2.9), compared with the national average of 4.5 services per patient. All other states and territories averaged between 4.3 and 4.8 services per patient. People aged 55–64 years had the highest average number of services per patient (4.9) among the age groups and patients aged 0–4 years (2.9) had the lowest. Females (4.7) averaged more services per patient than males (4.3).
Over time
The total number of Medicare-subsidised mental-health specific services increased from 6.2 million in 2008–09 to 12.1 million in 2018–19; an increase from 290.1 services per 1,000 population in 2008–09 to 480.8 in 2018–19 (Figure MBS.6). The increase in the rate of services was mostly due to increases in services provided by GPs (increase of 2.1 million from 2008–09 to 2018–19), followed by Psychological Therapy Services involving clinical psychologists (1.5 million), and other psychology services involving clinical psychologists and other psychologists (1.4 million). There was only a marginal increase in the rate of Medicare-subsidised mental health specific services delivered by psychiatrists; for all other providers there were increases in the rate of services delivered in recent years. The number of patients per provider has increased over time while the number of services per patient has fallen. Further information on the new items that were added under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative in 2006–07 can be found in the data source section.