Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
For treatment-resistant depression. Available at our Strathfield clinic in Sydney.
TMS at Mind Oasis
Mind Oasis provides TMS for treatment-resistant depression — depression that has not responded to at least two adequate trials of antidepressant medication.
TMS is delivered in person at our Strathfield clinic in Sydney. It cannot be provided by telehealth, and it is not currently available at our Brighton clinic in Melbourne.
We do not offer TMS for other conditions.
How TMS Works
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate a specific region of the brain involved in mood regulation.
During a session, a coil is positioned against the scalp. An electrical current passing through the coil produces a magnetic field, which passes through the skull and induces electrical activity in the nerve cells beneath. The pulses are repeated in a set pattern over the course of the session.
You remain awake and alert throughout. No sedation or anaesthetic is used, and you can drive yourself home and return to your usual activities immediately afterwards.
RANZCP guidelines recommend a step-wise approach to treating depression, with TMS generally considered when a person has not responded to two or more antidepressants.
Who TMS Is For?
TMS may be considered if you:
- Are 18 or over
- Have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder
- Have not responded to adequate trials of at least two antidepressant medications
- Have not previously had a course of TMS
Whether TMS is appropriate for you is decided at an assessment with one of our psychiatrists, taking into account your diagnosis, treatment history, physical health and current circumstances.
Who Should Not Have TMS
TMS is not suitable if you have:
- Metal or magnetic implants in or near the head — including aneurysm clips or coils, stents in the neck or brain, electrodes, cochlear implants, or a deep brain stimulator
- An implanted device such as a vagus nerve stimulator, pacemaker or medication pump
TMS requires additional caution, and may not be suitable, if you have:
- Epilepsy or a history of seizures
- A history of significant head injury or brain surgery
- Bipolar disorder
- A history of substance withdrawal or are taking medication that lowers the seizure threshold
Tell us about any implanted device, past head injury or seizure before your assessment. Dental fillings, braces and most orthopaedic implants are not a problem.
What a Course Involves
1. Initial assessment
30 minutes with a TMS-trained psychiatrist to determine whether TMS is appropriate for you
2. Titration session
15 minutes with a TMS-trained psychiatrist to determine your individual treatment intensity
3. Treatment sessions
30 to 50 minutes each, delivered by a TMS-trained registered nurse, daily on consecutive weekdays over 4 to 6 weeks
4. Review appointments
Review with your psychiatrist during the course, to assess your progress and adjust the plan
Mood rating scores are taken weekly, and your treating nurse checks in with you at each session.
Risks and Side Effects
Common side effects:
Headache — usually settles on its own or with paracetamol
Scalp discomfort at the treatment site — most people get used to the sensation within a few days
Tingling, spasm or twitching of the facial muscles during the session
Lightheadedness
Uncommon side effects:
Seizure — rare, at less than 0.1% per course. TMS-induced seizures are typically brief and self-limiting
Tinnitus — the risk can be reduced by adjusting intensity and by wearing the earplugs provided
Elevated or irritable mood — particularly in people with bipolar disorder. The risk is comparable to antidepressant treatment and is monitored throughout your course
TMS does not work for everyone. Depression that is not adequately treated can worsen, and in some people — particularly those with underlying bipolar disorder or severe anxiety — TMS can increase anxiety, panic or insomnia. Your psychiatrist will discuss what happens if you do not respond.
Costs and Medicare
Medicare rebates for TMS have been available since November 2021 for patients with treatment-resistant depression who meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible patients can receive a rebate for up to 35 treatment sessions in an initial course.
Initial assessment
(30 minutes, psychiatrist)
Fee
$450.00
Medicare rebate
$137.45
Out of pocket
$312.55
Titration session
(psychiatrist)
Fee
$250.00
Medicare rebate
$186.40
Out of pocket
$63.60
Treatment session
(registered nurse)
Fee
$200.00
Medicare rebate
$160.00
Out of pocket
$40.00
Review appointment
(psychiatrist)
Fee
$250.00
Medicare rebate
$89.30
Out of pocket
$160.70
Once you reach your Medicare Safety Net threshold, Medicare pays 80% of your out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services for the rest of the calendar year, so your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower. Thresholds are set by Services Australia and change annually — current figures are at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
Fees current as at September 2026. Reviewed annually.
Ready to get started with TMS Treatment?
For Patients
If you'd like to know what TMS involves before booking, our clinic nurse can talk you through the practical side — what a session is like, how long a course takes, and what it costs. Whether TMS is suitable for you is determined at your assessment with a psychiatrist.
You will need a referral from your GP or another specialist before your initial assessment.
For Referrers
Email: npreferral@mindoasis.com.au
Medical Objects: search "Mind Oasis Clinic"
HealthLink EDI: Mndoascl
Please include the patient's antidepressant treatment history, including agents trialled, doses and durations.
TMS Information Booklet
Our booklet covers what TMS is, how it works, who it may suit, what a course involves, risks and side effects, and costs.