Can I see someone without my parents knowing?

Often you can see someone without a parent knowing, but there are no guarantees. Privacy has some limits at any age, and being under 18 adds a few more. It depends on your age, how well you understand what’s involved, the service, and the state or territory you live in. If there’s a parent, carer or another adult you feel comfortable asking for help, therapy when you’re under 18 covers how they can help.

If you’re not safe right now

If someone is hurting you, or you don’t feel safe at home, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 any time, and you don’t have to give your name. In an emergency, call 000.

Places that don’t need a parent

Two services are set up for you to use on your own.

Kids Helpline. Free, any time, for anyone aged 5 to 25. You don’t have to give your name.
headspace A national youth mental health service for anyone aged 12 to 25, with centres around Australia and support online and by phone. It's free or close to it, you don't need a referral or a parent, and you can book it yourself. More in the jargon decoder . headspace is free or close to it for anyone aged 12 to 25. You don’t need a Referral A letter from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician that you need for the Medicare rebate. You can see a psychologist without one if you pay the full fee. More in the jargon decoder , you don’t have to bring a parent, and you can book it yourself. headspace and services for 12 to 25s covers what it offers.

Who decides whether you can go on your own

When you’re under 18, whether you can agree to treatment on your own mostly depends on whether the professional thinks you understand what’s involved, including the risks. They’ll think about your age and maturity, and how serious the treatment is.

The rules are different in each state and territory. In some, the law sets an age from which you can agree to treatment on your own. Even if you can’t agree to treatment yourself, you should still be included in the decision and asked for your views.

A Psychologist Someone trained to assess mental health problems and treat them with therapy. It takes at least six years of study and supervised practice, and they're registered with Ahpra, the national regulator. Psychologists can't prescribe medication. More in the jargon decoder is expected to take your age, maturity and understanding into account, and to think about whether a parent or carer’s consent is needed. They may encourage you to involve a parent or carer, and you can talk that through with them.

When someone might be told

A psychologist should tell you at the start what they’ll keep private, and when they’d have to tell someone. You can ask anyone else you see the same thing.

There are a few situations where a professional may have to tell someone:

If a professional thinks someone is hurting you, or not looking after you properly, or that you’re at risk of serious harm, the law may require them to tell child protection services. That’s a government service whose job is to protect young people.
They may also share information if they think you or someone else is in serious danger.
They will usually talk to you first before they share anything, though that isn’t always possible or safe.

If someone is hurting you or not looking after you, it’s still worth telling someone. Child protection’s job is to protect you, and Kids Helpline can talk it through with you first, without you giving your name.

Kids Helpline says it won’t tell anyone what you say, except if you or someone else is in danger of serious harm, or if the law requires them to share information. headspace says it won’t share your personal information without your consent unless the law allows or requires it, for example when there’s a serious safety concern. It says that where it can, it will let you know first if it needs to involve other services.

Other ways a parent might find out

Even if a service keeps what you say private, some everyday things can give an appointment away:

If you’re under 14 and on a parent’s Medicare Australia's public health insurance scheme. For mental health, it gives rebates on sessions with psychologists and some other professionals, usually through a Mental Health Treatment Plan. More in the jargon decoder card, they can see the date of an appointment in their Medicare account, but not why or what you talked about.
From 14, they can’t see your Medicare claims online any more. From 15, you can have your own card.
Kids Helpline usually doesn’t show up on a phone bill, but Kids Helpline says it can’t promise that.
If a parent pays for a session, they’ll know you went.

If keeping things private matters to you, ask the service how they’ll get in touch with you and how you’ll pay, so nothing turns up that you didn’t expect.

Finding out before you go

You can ask any service, before you say anything else, what stays private and when they’d have to tell someone. Whether a GP (general practitioner) For most people, where getting help starts. A GP can write a Mental Health Treatment Plan, prescribe medication and refer you on, and some are trained to deliver a small number of structured therapy sessions themselves. More in the jargon decoder , psychologist or Counsellor Someone trained to help people talk through and work on difficulties. The title isn't protected in Australia, so it's worth checking a counsellor's training and registration. Medicare doesn't give a rebate for counsellors. More in the jargon decoder will see you without a parent’s agreement varies. Ask when you book, before you give any details.

You could ask:

Do I need a parent’s permission to see you?
What would you have to tell my parents?
When would you have to tell someone else?

What to say when you book has more words you can use on the phone or in a message.

Youth Law Australia gives free, confidential legal help to anyone under 25, and has a page for each state and territory on your rights when you see a doctor.

If you’d like a parent involved later

If you start on your own and later want a parent, carer or another adult you trust involved, the service can help you work out how to bring them in. Therapy when you’re under 18 has more on how an adult can help.

Kids Helpline is on 1800 55 1800, any time, for anyone aged 5 to 25. Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and, if you’re 15 or over, the Suicide Call Back Service is on 1300 659 467. In an emergency, call 000. Crisis and emergency support has the full list.