Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program
Using your counselling vouchers – August 2010
The Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program
has been funded through a $3.5 million gift from the
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. It assists people directly
affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires to access
psychological counselling support.
What does the program do?
The program provides six counselling sessions to each
individual (including dependant children over five years of
age) who has been directly affected by the 2009 Victorian
bushfires. Applicants will be sent six vouchers that can be
used to see an eligible counsellor of their own choice, and in
their own time.
Applicants who have used all six of their vouchers can apply
for an additional six vouchers for further counselling support.
This includes parents who have used their own vouchers in
family counselling to support the care of children under five
years of age. A maximum of 12 vouchers will be issued to
any individual.
Applicants who require additional counselling support beyond
the Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program or
who require specialist treatment should visit their local general
medical practitioner for ongoing advice and referral.
There is no cash involved in this process and applicants will
not have to pay any co-payment to the counsellor.
The program will run until 10 August 2011.
How do I use my voucher?
Once you have received your vouchers you can organise
your counselling appointment. Each voucher is redeemable
for a one hour counselling session. The vouchers are
not transferable and each has your name, and a unique
identification number printed on it.
Vouchers can be used anytime from 10 August 2009 until
10 August 2011. Vouchers cannot be used for counselling
sessions that have taken place before 10 August 2009 or
after 10 August 2011.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
1. Making your appointment
Only counsellors eligible to participate in the program can
accept counselling vouchers. These are:
• psychological counsellors employed in community
health services receiving funds from the Department
of Health.
• psychologists, social workers and occupational
therapists registered as approved Medicare providers
under the Commonwealth Government’s Better Access
to Mental Health Care initiative.
• psychological counsellors working with the Australian
Centre for Grief and Bereavement.
To find an eligible provider, you will need to search the
directories of eligible providers or phone the telephone
numbers of the agencies listed.
Contact details for these eligible providers are available at:
• community health services
• http://www.health.vic.gov.au/communityhealth/
service_provider/community_health_directory.htm
• Medicare providers under the Commonwealth
Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care
initiative including:
• psychologists http://www.psychology.org.au/
MedicareProvider/SearchByMap.aspx
or phone 1800 333 497
• social workers http://www.aasw.asn.au/
membersdirectory
• occupational therapists
http://www.ausot.com.au/images/File/BAMH%20
Practitioner%20Directory%20100608%20
Edited%20v2.pdf
• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement,
Bereavement Information and Referral Service
on 1300 664 786 (toll free)
Case managers and staff at Community Service Hubs may
also be able to assist you to locate eligible local counsellors.
It is important that when you make an appointment with a
counsellor you confirm they participate in the program and can
meet your requirements. For example: if you require services
for children the provider should have expertise with children.
See page 2 for further information
2. Attending your appointment
You can use your vouchers for a range of psychological
counselling services such as individual counselling, family
and couple counselling.
One voucher is required for each session of individual and
couple counselling. For family counselling sessions of three
or more people, two vouchers are required.
The choice of service is up to you, in consultation with your
counsellor. If you require further counselling support or
specialist treatment during or after your six sessions, your
counsellor may suggest referring you to other services. With
your consent your counsellor can also contact your local
medical practitioner.
You do not need to use all of your vouchers or attend all
visits with the one counsellor.
At the completion of each counselling session you need to
co-sign and give your voucher to the counsellor. They need
the voucher to be rebated for your treatment. You are not
required to make a co-payment for your session.
What do I do if I lose my vouchers?
As your voucher is individually printed it cannot be used by
other people. If you lose or misplace your vouchers, please
ring our hot line so we can arrange for them to be replaced.
Where do I go for more information?
Further information is available online at
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal or through
our hotline on 1800 180 213. Please note that the Bushfire
Appeal Fund call line is unable to assist you in locating an
eligible counsellor.