What are typical wait times for a psychiatrist in Melbourne?

Public psychiatry in Victoria is heavily rationed — private referrals in Melbourne commonly quote 3–6 month waits for an initial appointment. Telepsychiatry tends to be faster: SetMind usually books an initial specialist assessment within 1–3 weeks of receiving a valid referral.

Do you accept referrals from Melbourne GPs?

Yes — referrals from any Victorian or interstate GP are accepted. A current referral is required for Medicare rebates. We send the written assessment plan back to your referring GP so care stays joined-up.

Are appointments available outside business hours?

We schedule appointments across business hours and selected evenings on Melbourne time. Availability varies by clinician — your first email back will include the next available slots.

Can SetMind issue medical certificates for Melbourne employers?

Yes, where clinically appropriate. After the specialist assessment your psychiatrist can issue a medical certificate covering time off or modified duties. Medico-legal independent assessments are not in scope.

Is burnout an official diagnosis in Victoria?

Burnout is recognised by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon, not a standalone medical diagnosis. Part of our assessment is checking whether what feels like burnout is also depression, anxiety, an undiagnosed attentional condition or a medical issue — because the right treatment depends on the right formulation.

How quickly can I be seen in Melbourne?

SetMind aims to book initial assessments within 1–3 weeks of receiving a valid GP referral. Melbourne appointments run on AEST / AEDT, including evening slots where available.

Telepsychiatry · VIC

Online psychiatrist in Melbourne.

Reviewed by the SetMind Team · Last reviewed June 2026

Specialist psychiatric care for adults in Melbourne and across Victoria — by secure video, on Melbourne time. Bring a current GP referral and we'll handle the rest: screening, specialist assessment, and a written plan back to your GP.

How it works Book an appointment

Local coverage

Melbourne & surrounds.

We see Melburnians across the CBD, Inner North, Inner East, Bayside, the South-East corridor and the West. Appointments are scheduled on Melbourne time (AEST / AEDT) with evening slots that fit around tram and train commutes from Footscray, Box Hill, Clayton or Frankston.

We also see patients from across Victoria including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Mildura and the Latrobe Valley.

Melbourne CBD
Inner North (Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick)
Inner East (Richmond, Hawthorn, Kew)
Bayside (St Kilda, Brighton, Sandringham)
South-East (Caulfield, Glen Waverley)
Western suburbs (Footscray, Williamstown)
Northern suburbs (Preston, Coburg)
Outer East (Box Hill, Ringwood)
Mornington Peninsula

What we treat in Melbourne

Specialist services available across VIC.

How it works

From GP referral to written plan.

Step 01
Get a GP referral
Any AHPRA-registered Australian GP can refer you. The referral is nationally valid — your Melbourne GP is fine.
Step 02
Pre-assessment screening
We send validated screeners and a brief history form before the appointment, so the session is focused.
Step 03
Specialist video assessment
A 45–90 minute video appointment on AEST / AEDT, with an AHPRA-registered psychiatrist.
Step 04
Plan sent to you and your GP
Written assessment and treatment plan, with shared-care handover so prescribing can stay local.

Eligibility

Who this service is for.

Adults 18 and over living in Australia
You have, or can obtain, a current GP referral
You can attend a video appointment from a private space
You are not in acute crisis or experiencing current thoughts of self-harm

Not suitable for under-18s, acute mental-health crisis, or emergency care. Outcomes vary — assessment may or may not result in a diagnosis or prescription.

Medicare & fees

Medicare-rebated specialist care.

With a valid GP referral and an MBS-eligible item, standard Medicare rebates apply to specialist psychiatric appointments. Out-of-pocket costs, item numbers and rebate amounts are listed in full on our fees page.

See fees & rebates

Melbourne — common questions

Frequently asked.

Public psychiatry in Victoria is heavily rationed — private referrals in Melbourne commonly quote 3–6 month waits for an initial appointment. Telepsychiatry tends to be faster: SetMind usually books an initial specialist assessment within 1–3 weeks of receiving a valid referral.

If you need help right now

SetMind is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself:

Emergency
000
Lifeline
13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636

This page is general information, not medical advice. It is not a substitute for an individual clinical assessment. Outcomes vary between people.

Conditions we treat in Melbourne

Specialist care for adults across VIC.

Telepsychiatry across Australia

Also serving these cities.

See all locations

Ready to start in Melbourne?

Bring your current GP referral. We handle the rest — screening, specialist assessment, written plan back to your GP.

How it works Fees & rebates