Are there enough private psychiatrists in Newcastle?

Like much of regional NSW, the Hunter has a significant per-capita shortage of private psychiatrists compared with Sydney. Telepsychiatry expands access by connecting you with AHPRA-registered specialists located anywhere in Australia.

Can my Newcastle GP refer me?

Yes — any Hunter-region GP (or any Australian GP) can refer you. We send the written assessment back to your referring GP after the appointment.

Do I need to travel to Sydney for follow-up appointments?

No. All follow-ups are by secure video and run on Sydney time. Once your treatment plan is stable, your Newcastle GP can continue prescribing locally under a shared-care plan.

Do I need a new GP referral for a medication review in Newcastle?

Yes — a current GP referral is required for Medicare-rebated specialist consultations regardless of where you live in New South Wales. Your GP referral covers SetMind nationally.

Will my Newcastle GP keep prescribing after the review?

In most cases, yes. The written plan goes back to your referring GP, with a shared-care handover so day-to-day prescribing can stay local. We schedule periodic specialist review where indicated.

Can SetMind discontinue or switch medication during the consult?

Any decision to start, switch, reduce or stop a medication is made together with you during the consultation, based on the assessment. Some changes are best made gradually with GP support — your plan will explain the rationale and steps clearly.

Telepsychiatry · NSW

Online psychiatrist in Newcastle.

Reviewed by the SetMind Team · Last reviewed June 2026

Specialist psychiatric care for adults in Newcastle and across the Hunter — by secure video, on Sydney time. SetMind connects you to AHPRA-registered psychiatrists with capacity to see you in weeks, not months.

How it works Book an appointment

Local coverage

Newcastle & surrounds.

We see patients across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the broader Hunter region. The Hunter has a well-documented psychiatry workforce gap relative to Sydney metro, which is where telepsychiatry adds the most value.

We also see patients from across the Hunter, Central Coast and northern NSW including Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.

Newcastle CBD
Newcastle East & Beach Suburbs
Hamilton & New Lambton
Charlestown & Lake Macquarie
Maitland
Port Stephens
Hunter Valley
Central Coast
Upper Hunter

What we treat in Newcastle

Specialist services available across NSW.

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 Newcastle 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

Newcastle — common questions

Frequently asked.

Like much of regional NSW, the Hunter has a significant per-capita shortage of private psychiatrists compared with Sydney. Telepsychiatry expands access by connecting you with AHPRA-registered specialists located anywhere in Australia.

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 Newcastle

Specialist care for adults across NSW.

Telepsychiatry across Australia

Also serving these cities.

See all locations

Ready to start in Newcastle?

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

How it works Fees & rebates