Nerela vs Halaxy: which is right for you?
Halaxy is one of the most widely used practice-management platforms in Australian allied health, with a large existing user base and direct Medicare and DVA claiming. Nerela is a newer, more focused alternative built specifically around talk-therapy workflows. Here's what each one actually includes, without inventing numbers we haven't verified.
The short version
Halaxy is a broad allied-health platform used by physiotherapists, psychologists, dietitians and many other practitioner types, with direct Medicare and DVA claiming built in and a large existing Australian user base. Nerela is built specifically around psychology and talk-therapy: scheduling, session notes with "next steps" carried forward, invoicing with a payment link, and automatic reminders, with one simple all-inclusive price rather than a menu of add-ons. Neither is objectively "better" — they suit different priorities.
What Halaxy generally includes
Halaxy's core scheduling, patient records and invoicing platform is used across a wide range of allied-health disciplines, and it includes direct Medicare and DVA claiming for practitioners whose services are eligible — a genuine convenience if that matters to your practice. Features such as SMS reminders, telehealth and card payments have historically been offered as usage-based add-ons rather than bundled into a flat fee, so it's worth checking the current cost of the add-ons you'd actually use, on Halaxy's own pricing page, before you compare a headline number against a competitor's flat monthly price.
What Nerela includes
Nerela is built specifically for psychologists rather than allied health broadly: a public booking page, patient records built around session notes and clinical "next steps" rather than generic treatment fields, invoice-receipts with a card payment link built directly into the invoice, and automatic reminders by email and WhatsApp included in the plan rather than billed as separate credits. Nerela does not currently offer direct Medicare or DVA claiming — instead, it issues a clear invoice-receipt with everything a patient needs to submit their own Medicare Better Access claim through Services Australia, or a claim to their private health fund.
| Halaxy | Nerela | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Allied health broadly (physio, psychology, dietetics and more) | Psychologists and talk-therapy practices specifically |
| Medicare/DVA claiming | Direct claiming built in for eligible services | Not built in — patient submits their own claim from the invoice-receipt Nerela issues |
| Reminders | Historically a usage-based add-on (check current terms) | Automatic email and WhatsApp reminders included in the plan |
| Pricing model | Free core platform with usage-based add-ons for SMS, telehealth and card payments (confirm current terms) | One flat price per plan, shown on the pricing page below, with everything included |
| Track record in Australia | Long-established, large existing user base | Newer to the Australian market |
Who Halaxy suits
If direct Medicare or DVA claiming matters to your workflow, or you run a multidisciplinary clinic where other allied-health practitioners are already on Halaxy, its breadth and established local presence are real advantages worth weighing seriously.
Who Nerela suits
If you want a system built specifically around the shape of talk therapy — recurring weekly sessions, clinical notes rather than generic treatment fields, and a single predictable monthly price with reminders and invoicing already included — Nerela is built for exactly that, and you can try it for 14 days with no card before deciding.
See it with your own numbers
Try the free calculator, then start a 14-day trial — no card, no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nerela do direct Medicare billing like Halaxy?+
No. Nerela issues a clear invoice-receipt with everything a patient needs to submit their own Medicare Better Access claim through Services Australia, or a claim to their private health fund. It doesn't bill Medicare directly on your behalf.
Is Halaxy free?+
Halaxy's core scheduling and invoicing platform has historically been offered at no charge, with SMS, telehealth and card payments billed separately as usage-based add-ons. Confirm the current terms on Halaxy's own pricing page, since these details change.
Which one is cheaper?+
It depends entirely on how you use each platform — a free core platform with usage-based add-ons can end up costing more or less than a flat monthly fee depending on your call and message volume. Add up your own expected usage against each provider's current, published pricing rather than comparing headline numbers alone.
Can I switch from Halaxy to Nerela without losing my records?+
Yes — you can import your patients from a CSV export, and if you'd rather not do it alone, Nerela's team will set up your schedule, session types and import with you in a single working session.
Ready to try the option built specifically for psychologists?
Scheduling, patient records, invoicing and reminders — with 14 days free and no card.
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Nerela is practice management software built for psychologists and clinics: scheduling and online booking, patient records and session notes, invoicing and reports — in one place, with data hosted in the European Union. You start with 14 days free, no card, and you talk directly to the people building the product.
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