Medicare to cover rural Skype counselling

The Turnbull government has announced rural and regional Australians will for the first time have psychology through teleconferencing paid for by Medicare.

Medicare will pay for rural and remote Australians to access psychologists through teleconferencing for the first time.

Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash made the announcement at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, saying many Australians who are going without treatment will now receive it.

"This will mean rural and remote Australians can use Skype, FaceTime or video calling to access psychologists and psychiatrists all over Australia from their home or a local medical centre," she said.