People often search for how to beat depression and end up reading about transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. It’s a non-invasive option for adults with major depressive disorder who haven’t improved with usual care. In Australia, Medicare rebates support structured treatment courses, so it’s worth knowing how many sessions are typical and when results tend to show up.
What a standard course looks like in Australia
Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, an initial TMS course can include up to 35 sessions, delivered on weekdays across several weeks, with a retreatment allowance of up to 15 sessions if clinically appropriate. These services must be prescribed by, or delivered on behalf of, a psychiatrist with specific training.
Clinics may use either traditional high-frequency rTMS or a time-efficient protocol called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS). Both approaches are used for transcranial magnetic stimulation depression care and show broadly comparable efficacy in major depression.
Why so many visits?
TMS works cumulatively. Each session gives the targeted brain network a brief period of magnetic stimulation, and the repeated schedule helps embed longer-lasting change in mood circuits. In practice, a depression clinic will set weekday appointments over four to six weeks for the acute course, aligning with Medicare item design and current professional guidance.
When do improvements usually start?
Many people report a shift after the first two to three weeks, though the timeline varies. Evidence shows early improvement by around session 10 can predict a better outcome by the end of the course, which is why clinicians track scores regularly. This is part of structured depression therapy rather than a one-off procedure.
Across controlled studies, active TMS outperforms sham treatment for response and remission. Some modern meta-analyses report remission rates in the 20–35% range at the end of a standard course, with variation by protocol and study design.
Can faster schedules work?
Appointment time depends on protocol. A classic rTMS session may run around half an hour of active pulses, while iTBS can deliver the active stimulation in roughly three minutes. Researchers have also tested “accelerated” schedules that stack multiple iTBS sessions per day, shortening the overall course. These models show promise for speed of improvement, although they’re still being refined and are not yet the default in routine Australian practice. If you’re comparing options for depression treatment Sydney, ask whether a clinic offers single-daily or accelerated schedules and which patient groups they suit.
What affects how many sessions you’ll need?
Personal history matters. Prior medication trials, current antidepressants, co-existing anxiety or sleep problems, and how early symptoms begin to ease can shape the plan. Some evidence suggests combining rTMS with an antidepressant can support outcomes, though clinicians tailor this on a case-by-case basis. Your psychiatrist will weigh these elements when deciding how to treat depression with TMS and whether to adjust coil placement, frequency, or session count within Medicare rules.
Do people need maintenance?
Some do. After a successful acute course, symptoms can drift over time. Australia’s MBS permits a retreatment block of up to 15 sessions if clinically indicated, providing a structured way to address relapse without repeating a full initial course. Maintenance schedules outside MBS item definitions vary across services and are decided individually.
Safety and day-to-day practicalities
TMS is non-invasive and does not require anaesthesia. Most people return to normal activities straight after their appointment. Common side effects include mild scalp discomfort or headache, which typically settle. Serious adverse events are rare when services follow professional standards on screening, dosing, and monitoring. This safety profile, alongside the ability to keep working or studying, is a key reason TMS sits comfortably within stepped-care plans in Australia.
What to ask your provider
If you’re weighing TMS, line up practical questions in addition to clinical ones. Ask about the exact protocol used (rTMS versus iTBS), how progress will be measured each week, and what happens if you show early improvement or a plateau. Clarify Medicare eligibility, referral steps through your GP or psychiatrist, and any out-of-pocket fees that could apply. Sydney-based services publish eligibility details consistent with national MBS criteria, which include age requirements and prior treatment trials.
Bottom line
TMS isn’t a quick fix, but it is structured, measurable, and accessible within Australia’s Medicare system for eligible adults. A typical plan involves weekdays over several weeks, with the option for a shorter active stimulation time if iTBS is used and a safety net for retreatment when needed. With consistent attendance and clear score-tracking, many people notice a meaningful lift before the course ends, and some reach remission by the final sessions.