THIS WAY UP online mental health and wellbeing programs
Life can be full of challenges, and more Australians than ever are prioritising their mental health. But with demand for professional support on the rise, getting help isn’t always easy. That's why we are working with THIS WAY UP.
There are a range of THIS WAY UP programs to choose from. Each one offers practical skills and strategies that can help you manage stress, anxiety, and low mood. Best of all, your program can be completed online when it suits you, without the need for a GP referral for most programs.#
Access your free mental health and wellbeing program from THIS WAY UP in 3 easy steps^^
Sign up
Create an account with THIS WAY UP, remembering to include your Bupa membership number.
Choose your program
Register for your chosen mental health and wellbeing program by 31 March 2029 or take a test to help you choose a program. Limited to one program per member each calendar year.
Get started
Add the promo code BUPAFREE then select ‘Start Program’ to begin.
Bupa has you covered
We know that more than 2 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.1 Bupa is here for you, whether you’re looking for support or information about services for you or a family member.
Member services
Find the right cover for you
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Frequently asked questions
Your GP can refer you to a psychologist or other recognised professional for a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year that are eligible for Medicare rebates. There are also other circumstances where you may be eligible for Medicare rebates.
Currently, counsellors are not part of the Medicare scheme. You can only obtain a Medicare rebate for services by psychologists, occupational therapists or social workers on a GP referral.
Mental health services, digital mental health services or both are available on the below extras only cover:
FLEXtras^
Core Extras~
Wellness Extras
Super Extras
Super Extras Active
Top Extras
Top Extras Boost
Mental health services, digital mental health services or both are available on the below packaged hospital and extras cover:
Basic Plus Active Saver
Basic Plus Young Singles Saver
Basic Plus Young Couples Saver
Bronze Plus Young Singles Choice
Bronze Plus Young Couples Choice
Silver Plus Prime
Claims need to be submitted online through myBupa, in person at a Bupa retail store or by mail.
Benefits can only be claimed for services provided by psychologists and counsellors who are recognised by Bupa and in private practice or for the self-help programs in THIS WAY UP. Please check with us before undergoing a course of treatment.
The amount you can claim depends on your level of cover. Please refer to your policy information in myBupa.
Sign in to myBupa and view your extras cover to check if you’re covered for that service. Then check with your practitioner whether they’re delivering services via telehealth and are a Bupa recognised provider.
If they’re offering telehealth consultations, they will assess whether it’s appropriate to use in your situation, including for the condition they’re treating.
Bupa pays towards the cost of counselling and psychology services, as well as digital mental health, from Bupa recognised providers.
The payment towards psychology, counselling and digital mental health comes out of your total yearly limits for mental health.
You’ll have to serve any waiting periods you haven’t already served on your cover.
All Bupa Health Insurance members are eligible to receive access to a free THIS WAY UP course each calendar year until 31 March 2029.
You have until 31 March 2029 to sign up to THIS WAY UP and register for your program of choice. Once registered, you have 3 months to complete your program and can access the program for a further 12 months from the date of program completion. Members have access to one program each calendar year.
If you have digital mental health cover included on your policy, you can claim on completed courses with THIS WAY UP programs up to yearly limits. If you don’t have digital mental health cover included on your policy you can still access THIS WAY UP programs by:
Getting a referral from your GP, which will mean the $59 course fee will be waived. You need to provide the referral to This Way Up.
Paying the $59 course fee and submitting your claim to Bupa when you complete your program. Fund rules apply.
THIS WAY UP is a web-based platform that is not currently available via an app.
THIS WAY UP is an Australian provider of evidence-based, internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) programs. Their range of programs offer practical tools designed to teach you proven psychological skills to transform your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours so you can make a positive change in your life. It will provide step-by-step strategies for managing stress, anxiety and low mood. They have a series of 15 programs to help support you through a range of situations.
THIS WAY UP was designed and developed in 2012. The program is run by clinical psychologists, researchers, and web technicians based at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and the University of NSW. THIS WAY UP is a non-for-profit organisation sponsored by the Australian Government.
THIS WAY UP is designed to teach proven psychological skills to transform your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours so you can make a positive change in your life. It will provide step-by-step strategies for managing stress, anxiety and low mood.
THIS WAY UP services can only be accessed within Australia.
If you’re having trouble logging in or registering for a program with THIS WAY UP, please check out their FAQs. Otherwise, you can contact THIS WAY UP directly via email at contact@thiswayupclinic.org or by phoning (02) 8382 1437. THIS WAY UP will respond to emails, calls and messages on social media during business hours (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, outside NSW public holidays).
^^ Available to existing Bupa Health Insurance members only until 31 March 2029. Limit one program per member per calendar year. Once registered for your program of choice, you have 3 months to complete your program and can access the program for a further 12 months from the date of program completion. THIS WAY UP programs can only be accessed within Australia. If you’re on a couples, family or single parent policy, each policy member can use their personal email address and Bupa member number to create an account with THIS WAY UP. Offer terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply.
# GP referral is required for the Chronic Pain Program and PTSD Program.
1 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-21 I Australian Bureau of Statistics
^ Only if mental health is selected as one of the 4 or 6 services in FLEXtras.