The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) and Decision Support Tool (DST) helps general practitioners and clinicians to recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support.
The IAR-DST is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and brings together information from a range of sources including Australian and international evidence and advice from leading experts. It is part of the wider Medicare Mental Health website, phone line and centres – which aims to connect people with the right mental health supports first time, free of charge.
The IAR-DST is designed to assist the various parties involved in the assessment and referral process, including:
- GPs and other clinicians seeking to determine the most appropriate care type and intensity for individuals.
- Service providers, intake teams and PHNs responsible for undertaking initial assessments which may involve making recommendations on the level of care required.
Designed to complement the GP or clinician’s clinical judgement, IAR-DST is best used as part of a comprehensive mental health assessment.
The Medicare Mental Health phone service uses the IAR-DST and all mental health clinicians are trained in its use to determine the most appropriate level of care for individuals seeking mental health support. One referral is all the GP needs to make as, once the patient is accepted into the Medicare Mental Health system, they are connected to the most appropriate services and supports.
Important resources:
Please note: GP incentive payments for training ended on 30 June 2025. From July to August, WA Primary Health Alliance will offer training by expressions of interest via our service request form
National online training
National training is available as a live, two-hour webinar facilitated by an IAR-DST Training and Support Officer from the national network.
For training dates and times, view the workshop schedule (training times are in AEST and CPD is available).
Initial assessment in mental health
The IAR is designed to assist assessment and referral discussions and decisions when a person presents in the primary care system with mental health symptoms and/or psychological distress.
The aim of the IAR is to assist clinicians with collecting sufficient social, health and clinical information to determine whether the person presenting requires further assessment or intervention, and the level of intervention or care required (i.e. the appropriate level from the stepped care model for primary mental health care).
Appropriate use of the IAR-DST
Initial assessment should be undertaken by a health professional who is suitably qualified and experienced in mental health assessments and treatment with the specific population where the IAR is being used (e.g. children, adolescents, adults, older adults and priority population groups).
Suitably qualified and experienced professionals generally include the following:
- General practitioners (GPs), medical specialists, nurse practitioners and other clinicians trained in mental health.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, health workers and mental health workers.
- Mental health nurses.
- Mental health social workers.
- Occupational therapists.
It may be appropriate to engage staff other than those listed above (i.e. non-clinical staff) in undertaking assessment and completing the IAR-DST to obtain a recommended level of care.
Where non-clinical staff are involved in the initial assessment process, service providers should ensure that service models and delivery of care adhere to the relevant health care standards.
For further information, email PrimaryCareLearning@wapha.org.au