In short
You can ask any Australian hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable, such as a quieter wait, information given step by step, or extra time.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, refusing reasonable adjustments is unlawful unless meeting them would cause unjustifiable hardship. Your GP can also set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan for rebated psychology sessions.
Last reviewed August 2026.
Know where to get support
Know where to get support
Care that works for you
You can ask any hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable: a quieter wait, information given step by step, or extra time to take things in. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (section 24 covers services), it is unlawful for a service to refuse reasonable adjustments unless meeting them would cause unjustifiable hardship. If a service refuses, you can complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission. What extra disability support a hospital offers varies by state, so before a planned visit it is worth asking that hospital, or your state health service, what they can put in place.
Support for your mental health
Your usual GP, or the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare, can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan (going elsewhere may mean no rebate). It gives a Medicare rebate towards up to ten psychology sessions each calendar year, resetting on 1 January. The first referral covers up to six; your GP reviews before the rest. The rebate is only part of each session, so there is often a gap. Each state and territory also runs community mental health services you can look up locally. If low mood, anxiety or exhaustion lasts more than two weeks, treat it as a signal to reach out rather than wait, and the support lines below are there any time you need them sooner.
If it becomes an emergency
Emergencies are a lot to handle, so it helps to let staff know early how you communicate and what makes things easier, such as fewer questions at once, or lower noise and light. A short written summary of your needs can speak for you when talking is hard.
Make your one-page plan
Make your one-page plan
When you are overwhelmed, explaining yourself is the hardest thing. A short summary you prepare in advance can do the talking for you. Fill this in on a calm day, keep it in your phone or wallet, and share it whenever it helps.
My health support summary
My name and how I like to be addressed:
How I communicate best (and what makes it harder):
What helps me feel calm and regulated:
Sensory needs, and what to avoid:
Who to contact, and key health information:
Ask for what helps
Ask for what helps
Emergencies are overwhelming, and it is reasonable to ask for what makes care safer for you. Here is what you can ask for, and what the team can do to meet you halfway.
You can ask for
- A quieter space, or the lights turned down
- To keep a comfort or sensory item with you
- Information shown or written, not just spoken
- One thing explained at a time
- A support person to stay with you
- Extra time to answer, and fewer questions at once
The team can
- Bring down noise and bright light where they can
- Tell you what is about to happen before it does
- Walk you through how a treatment will feel
- Give you a moment between steps
- Check how you would rather communicate
- Keep your support person in the loop
Common questions
Questions people ask us
Can I ask a hospital for adjustments?
Yes. You can ask any hospital or clinic for changes that make care manageable. That might be a quieter wait, information given step by step, or extra time to take things in. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, refusing reasonable adjustments can be unlawful.
How do I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Ask your usual GP, or the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare. Going elsewhere may mean no rebate. The plan gives a Medicare rebate towards psychology sessions. The first referral covers up to six. Your GP reviews how it is going before the rest.
How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?
Up to ten each calendar year, resetting on 1 January. The first referral covers up to six, and your GP reviews before the rest. The rebate is only part of each session, so there is often a gap for you to pay.
What can I ask for in an emergency?
You can ask for a quieter space, or the lights turned down. You can keep a comfort or sensory item with you. You can ask for information written or shown, one thing explained at a time, and a support person to stay with you.
What should I put in a health support summary?
Your name and how you like to be addressed. How you communicate best, and what makes it harder. What helps you feel calm and regulated. Your sensory needs, and what to avoid. Who to contact, and key health information. Fill it in on a calm day.
Where can I get help right now in Australia?
Lifeline is 13 11 14, and you can text 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue is 1300 22 4636. 13YARN is 13 92 76 for First Nations callers. These are open 24/7 and the counselling is free. In an emergency, always call 000.