Mental Health Australia acknowledges Australia's First Peoples, and in particular to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we conduct much of our work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

A welcome focus on mental health with the ALP's $1 billion commitment

The Australian Labor Party’s announcement earlier this week of a $1 billion commitment to free mental health supports, while also boosting the mental health workforce, is a significant commitment to mental health in Australia.

If implemented, the comprehensive package outlined by the Prime Minister on Tuesday will increase access to free supports across the country, regardless of a person’s income or postcode.

It is a very welcome and much-needed step towards a better mental health system for all Australians, and an important step in creating the pathways to free mental health care and support that Mental Health Australia is calling for in our Federal Election platform.

Getting help early is crucial to preventing the longer-term impacts of mental ill-health. The focus on free mental health care for young people who have faced unprecedented challenges accessing the support they need, when they need it, is particularly heartening in the context of a doubling in rates of mental ill-health among young people in Australia over the past decade.

Importantly, this commitment also grows the pipeline of the mental health workforce, so that we can better respond to the community’s mental health needs, now and into the future.

This significant announcement comes at a time when voters want government to do more on mental health. It also follows the Coalition’s commitment to $400 million for youth mental health support in the recent Opposition Budget reply speech.

I am encouraged to see large bipartisan investments in mental health from the major parties so far in this campaign, and to see mental health take centre stage in the federal election. These announcements reflect real progress.

Of course, there is still more to be done. As we’ve outlined in our Vision Statement, we also need to overhaul the foundations of our system; match funding to the scale of the problem and community expectation; and embed an equitable, inclusive, human rights-based approach to care and support.

We are looking forward to advocating for these long-term transformational changes, while also working in close partnership with our members and next Australian Government, to ensure that the election commitments announced to date translate to real improvements in mental health across the country.

Carolyn Nikoloski

CEO, Mental Health Australia 

Media release: Mental Health Australia welcomes ALP's comprehensive platform for mental health

The country’s peak mental health body Mental Health Australia welcomed the Australian Labor Party’s $1bn election commitment to significantly increase access to free mental health supports across the country, along with a much needed boost to grow the workforce. 

Related coverage: 

• SBS News: "More support for young people": Labor promises $1 billion for mental health

• ABC News: Federal Labor pledges $1 billion in mental health support if re-elected

Save the date! Members Policy Forum – 25th June 2025

Mental Health Australia invites all members to mark their calendars for a special event.

The next Members Policy Forum will be held on Wednesday 25 June 2025 at Old Parliament House, Canberra.

This not-to-be-missed forum will provide an opportunity to reflect on the outcomes and implications of the Federal Election, and to shape future sector priorities together. 

Further details, including speakers, topics, and registration information, will be shared soon.

Highlights from the 2024 November Members Policy Forum can be seen here on our YouTube channel.

Media release: Labor to deliver $1 billion for more free mental health services

Prime Minister the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP said a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make a billion-dollar investment to roll out even more places Australians can go for free, public mental health care backed by Medicare. The $1 billion commitment continues the Albanese Labor Government's work to fill the gaps in support with new free mental health services that are better matched to the needs of each Australian. 

Ministers press conference and interview transcripts:

• Press conference: Prime Minister, Health and Aged Care Minister, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Sydney, NSW, 8th April 

• Interview transcripts: Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, ABC News Breakfast, 8th April; ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast, 9th April

Sector responses:

• Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Welcomes Government's $1 Billion Mental Health Investment
• Australian Indigenous Doctors Assocation: AIDA welcomes Federal Labor’s pledge of $1 billion support for mental health care

• Australians for Mental Health: Australians for Mental Health welcomes Labor’s major funding pledge for mental health

• Beyond Blue: Beyond Blue welcomes election promises on mental health 

• Black Dog Institute: Black Dog Institute welcomes substantial $1 billion election commitment for mental health

• Associate Professor Sebastian Rosenberg: Labor’s $1 billion for mental health is good news for young people in particular – but leaves some gaps

• Catholic Health Australia: Mental health funding welcome but chronic staff shortages loom
• Council of Australian Life Insurers: Cost of living crunch drives Australians to abandon traditional means of mental health support 
• Croakey Health Media: Stepping up for better mental healthcare
• Medibank: Medibank welcomes mental health election commitments
• National Mental Health Consumer Alliance: National Mental Health Consumer Alliance Federal Election campaign announcement and resources
• Orygen: Orygen welcomes Labor’s $700m election pledge for youth mental health

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: GPs missed in $1 billion mental health promise

• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists applaud Federal Labor’s big mental health announcement
• Suicide Prevention Australia: Election silence on suicide prevention despite high distress

Media release: New 'Vote Your Mind' webtool reveals major health inequities in Australia

A new webtool reveals just how much Australians are paying in out-of-pocket costs for mental health services in each electorate around the country. The Vote Your Mind webtool, launched by grassroots advocacy group Australians for Mental Health, allows people to see what the out-of-pocket costs for mental health support are in their electorate, as well as rates of mental distress. The snapshot, which is based on new cross-analysis by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, reveals a significant deterioration in access to care, and major variations between electorates despite need.

Media release: New Medicare Mental Health Centre for Ryde

The Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, says residents of Sydney's northern suburbs will soon have access to free, walk-in mental health care with a Medicare Mental Health Centre to open in Ryde. Staffed by qualified mental health professionals including social workers, nurses, and peer support workers, the centre will provide immediate help for people in distress as well as ongoing care for those with more complex mental health needs.

Media release: First of its kind residential eating disorders centre opens in Charlestown

People living with eating disorders across NSW can now access specialist residential care with the opening of the new $13.5 million Residential Eating Disorders Centre in Charlestown, part of a $63 million Commonwealth commitment to deliver seven eating disorder care centres nationally.. Designed to bridge the gap between community-based care and hospital admission, the centre offers individualised support from a multi-disciplinary team of specialists including psychiatrists, psychologists, dietitians, nurses, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists and social workers.

Media release: Albanese Government delivering vital support for Jewish House expansion in Sydney's east

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will invest $2 million to support the expansion of Jewish House in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, helping the vital crisis response service to double its capacity to support vulnerable people. Jewish House has been a cornerstone of crisis response in the Eastern Suburbs for decades, providing intensive case management, psychological services, and early intervention programs to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and socio-economic pressures.

Transcript: Press conference Burnie, Tasmania, Wednesday 2nd April 

Prime Minister the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP and the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, discussed the announcement of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and the Burnie health hub. The Prime Minister said the hub would include a Medicare Mental Health Centre. Minister Butler said Medicare Mental Health centres would be open soon in Devonport and in Burnie.

Interview transcript: Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, ABC New Breakfast, 1st April 

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, said mental health is a big issue the Opposition wants to look at, to ensure a world leading response. Ms Ruston said the Opposition wants to come up with a no wrong door approach, particularly for young Australians, because we know so many young Australians are struggling with mental health.

Media release: Australian voters call for urgent funding for eating disorder prevention and treatment

Butterfly has been actively advocating for increased government funding for eating disorder prevention and treatment over the past six months, knocking on doors in Canberra and invoking the considerable support of their lived experience community. An online latest survey of 1,606 voting adults confirmed that additional funding for eating disorder prevention and treatment was strongly supported by the electorate, across all age groups, political and regional demographics. 

Article: First Nations mental health experts' plea for respectful election 

First Nations leaders and mental health experts are calling on politicians and media to adopt respectful, inclusive language during the upcoming federal election. Dr Clinton Schultz, a Gamilaroi/Gomeroi man and Director of First Nations Strategy at Black Dog Institute says now more than ever, it is vital that commentary is accurate, respectful, and mindful of the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations communities.

Media release: Supporting people living with dementia to vote in the federal election

Dementia Australia is encouraging people living with dementia, their families and carers to begin discussions now about voting in the federal election on 3 May to ensure they have the support they need to participate.

Media release: Beyond Blue and AMES Australia join forces to improve mental health support for diverse communities

Migrant and refugee communities will have better access to culturally appropriate mental health support thanks to a new partnership between Beyond Blue and settlement agency AMES Australia. 

Media release: New survey – Autism diagnosis delays skyrocket, peak body calls for action

A new national survey has revealed systemic failures in the diagnosis of autistic children with wait times skyrocketing in recent years. The Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) survey of more than 1,200 parents and carers revealed 32 per cent of families are waiting more than two years for a diagnosis, a 70 per cent increase since 2014. 

Media release: Almost 1 in 2 Aussie teens living with a chronic disease or developmental condition

New research shows that almost half (45.6%) of Australian teens are living with chronic diseases or developmental conditions like attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism (ASD). The study has linked the conditions to unhealthy lifestyles, diets and poor mental health, prompting calls for further research and government action.

Media release: NSW Government extends mental health support for first responders through bold new strategy

Reminder – Productivity Commission webinar tomorrow: National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review 

In the initial stage of its Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, the Commission has asked people about their experiences over the past three years of using mental health and suicide prevention services and any ideas for making services better. The Commission has also asked a wide range of organisations about the effectiveness of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in improving services.

Commissioners Stephen King and Selwyn Button invite you their update on the key messages in consultations, submissions received and responses to the recent survey on mental health and suicide prevention services. 

Date: Friday 11th April 2025
Time:12:00pm-1:00 pm (AEST)
Location: Online 

Research opportunity: Psychologists’ attitudes toward, and use of, Artificial Intelligence tools in their work

Expressions of interest invited for the National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Group 

Webinar: From Research to Practice – A Journey into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Emerging Career Paths

Mind Medicine Australia invites students, clinicians, mental health professionals, Allied Health workers or anyone interested in learning more about Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (PAT) to this free online event. 

Join Mind Medicine Australia's world-renowned faculty and experts for insights into integrating science, holistic healing, and innovative mental health care models, in areas including translating scientific research into clinical practice, foundational skills, emerging pathways and opportunities and future directions in PAT. 

Date: Wednesday 16th April 2025
Time: 7:00pm 
Location: Online 

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care consultation opportunity

Emerging Mental Health Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Health Degrees 

Spread the word: Carers Australia's Carer Wellbeing Survey 2025

Carers across Australia are invited to share their lived experiences in Carer's Australia's annual carer wellbeing survey. This year, in addition to asking about carer well-being, the survey includes questions about accessing respite care, being a young carer or a carer in a defence family, and life after a caring role ends. 

The survey is open until April 30th, 2025.

Please share the survey link at the button below with your networks. 

Australian Government grant opportunity forecast: Mental Health Program, Medicare Mental Health Centres

The service will create a pool of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to support the clinical capacity of Medicare Mental Health Centres as part of a multidisciplinary team. 

Australian Government grant opportunity forecast: Mental Health Program, Postgraduate Psychology Incentive Program Round 2

The grant is intended to support higher education providers who have created additional postgraduate psychology places in courses which lead to general registration and relevant areas of practice endorsement. 

Early bird registrations now open: Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition, 25th-27th June 2025, Adelaide 

Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a critical role in Australia’s healthcare system, supporting individuals across Mental Health, Primary Care, Disability, and Rehabilitation services.

This conference provides OTs with valuable opportunities to advance their knowledge, strengthen professional networks, and enhance the care they provide. The program brings together leading experts to discuss the latest developments in Disability, Mental Health, Women’s Health, Veteran Care, and more.

Asia Pacific Autism Conference, 13th-15th November 2025, Perth

The Autism Association of Western Australia is hosting the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025 in Perth, Western Australia on behalf of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism.

The conference theme is Creating and Inspiring the Future Together.

Early bird registration is open until 14th April 2025. 

Early bird registration and accommodation competition

Early bird registrations and the chance to win a night's accommodation at Crown Perth, WA, during the conference, are open until 14th April. 

Learn more at the button below. 

National Care and Support Sector Conference, 25th July 2025, Perth

This year's conference brings the Disability, Aged Care, Mental Health, Early Childhood Education and Care and Veterans' Care sectors together to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for providers at a time of rapid reform.

Share your news, job vacancies, or upcoming events to more than 5,000 people in the mental health sector each week.

Mental Health Australia members are invited to send us news, announcements, job vacancies, events or other notices for inclusion in the Weekly CEO Update newsletter. To do so, simply fill out this form by COB each Monday for your notice to appear in the newsletter.

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