LOW-COST COUNSELLING OPTIONS IN MELBOURNE
Looking after your mental health matters, but we know the cost of counselling can sometimes feel like one more hurdle. A lot of people who come to Mindful Living tell us they’d love to get support but worry about how they’ll afford it. We believe everyone should have access to quality support, regardless of their financial situation.
That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of low-cost and funded counselling services around Melbourne. Whether you’re looking for help for yourself, your family, or someone you care about, these organisations could be a more budget-friendly option. We hope this guide makes it a bit easier to find the support that’s right for you.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Locals
W: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals is a free, walk-in service (non-crisis) offering initial assessments, peer support, and access to a range of mental health professionals. If additional care is needed, the team will help connect clients with appropriate services.
Berry Street – Richmond
A: 1 Salisbury Street, Richmond VIC 3121
P: 9450 4700
W: berrystreet.org.au
Berry Street offers counselling for children and families where violence, trauma, or abuse has been present. Their team specialises in supporting young people to feel safer and more supported in their recovery.
Orange Door
W: orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Orange Door offers free support for people experiencing family violence. They can help with safety planning and link you to counselling or case management services. With locations across Victoria, they’re a helpful starting point for many families.
Relationships Australia
W: relationshipsvictoria.org.au
Relationships Australia provides counselling for family violence, relationship issues and workplace concerns. They use a sliding scale fee structure, making it easier to access support that suits your budget. They have multiple centres across Victoria.
The Talk Shop
W: thetalkshop.com.au
The Talk Shop sees clients funded through VOCAT, Worksafe, NDIS, TAC and DVA. They also offer low-cost sessions” Clinics are located in Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir and the Melbourne CBD.
EACH
W: each.com.au/services
EACH delivers a wide range of community health services, including counselling. They have affordable or funded options, often tied to mental health care plans, and operate across Victoria.
MHFA Wellness Hub – South Yarra
A: G1/10 Yarra St, South Yarra VIC 3141
P: (03) 8825 3501
W: wellnesshub.mhfa.org.au
Wellness Hub offers sessions with provisional psychologists for just $30 for a 50-minute session. This can be a supportive way to start therapy in a more budget-friendly way.
Swinburne Psychology Clinic – Hawthorn
A: The George Swinburne Building, 34 Wakefield St, Hawthorn VIC 3122
P: (03) 9214 8653
W: swinburne.edu.au/research/centres-groups-clinics/swinburne-psychology-clinic/
This university-based clinic provides low-cost counselling, psychological assessments and group programs. Fees range from $20 to $80 per session, with an initial admin fee of $10. They also offer telehealth.
CatholicCare
W: catholiccarevic.org.au
CatholicCare offers low-cost counselling for individuals and families, including children from age four. They have locations across Victoria, including East Melbourne and Dandenong.
headspace
W: headspace.org.au
headspace provides free or low-cost mental health services for young people aged 12-25, along with support for their families. With centres across Melbourne and telehealth options, they’re a caring first step for young people who might be feeling anxious, low or overwhelmed.
Counselling Helpline Melbourne
W: counsellinghelplinemelb.com.au
P: (03) 9846 4466
This service offers completely bulk-billed counselling for Melbourne residents, available in person or via telehealth, meaning there’s no out-of-pocket cost.
MOST.ORG
W: https://www.most.org.au
This is an app that provides free mental health support to children and young people (under 25).
How We Feel
W: https://howwefeel.org/
This is an free journal app for your well-being. Over time you will learn precise words to describe how you feel, spot trends and patterns, and practice simple strategies to regulate your emotions in healthy ways.
Free or Low Cost Courses
Centre for Clinical Interventions
W: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Treatment/Overview
The Western Australian Department of Health have a range of free online courses for issues such as social anxiety, worry and mood management.
This Way Up
W: https://thiswayup.org.au/
This service offers low cost online courses for issues such as OCD, anxiety, panic, post natal anxiety and depression plus many more.
