CEO Update: The Australian community left waiting for mental health reform
19 June 2025
CEO Message
The Australian community left waiting for mental health reform
Last Friday, health and mental health ministers from Commonwealth, State and Territory jurisdictions convened in Melbourne for their first meeting of 2025, to discuss priorities in national reform.
At the start of the day, I facilitated a discussion with lived experience and sector leaders. We shared our reflections on the importance of governments listening, and being guided by, lived experience and sector expertise; working together to improve mental health; and making real commitments to progress reform. It was an incredible demonstration of the strength and unity of our sector, and I am grateful that ministers provided this opportunity.
While this direct engagement with lived experience and sector representatives was a welcome step forward, unfortunately the outcomes from the subsequent meeting fell short on genuinely progressing reform priorities.
As detailed in the special communique, ministers recognised the importance of child and youth mental health supports, and the collective need to address the alarming levels of distress now seen in children and young people. They agreed that children and young people (0-25 years) will be a priority population in the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
Ministers also agreed to continue to focus on building supports for children and young people through education settings, and committed to work towards harmonisation of services by age-range across jurisdictions. While the ministers recognised the importance of most of Mental Health Australia’s six recommended actions to improve child and youth mental health, it is disappointing that they did not agree to immediate actions.
Ministers also reaffirmed their shared responsibility for psychosocial supports outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and agreed that addressing unmet need will be one of the central priorities of the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. In addition, ministers committed to at least maintain existing funding for psychosocial supports, and to consult with lived experience and sector representatives to inform negotiations of the next National Agreement. Ministers committed to report back on this progress at their next meeting.
While these commitments are welcome, they do not go far enough for the almost 500,000 people who are currently missing out on these crucial supports, identified in governments’ own analysis. Access to support needs to be expanded now, as outlined in our open joint letter with State and Territory mental health sector peak bodies.
While ministers demonstrated some progress in this meeting – particularly through engaging directly with lived experience and sector experts – it is critical that all governments come to the table with tangible actions that demonstrate their commitments to prioritise mental health, supported by long-term investments plans. You can read our response to the meeting outcomes in more detail here.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Webinar: What is cultural responsiveness and why is it important for mental health care in multicultural Australia?
Mental health service providers and individual practitioners seeking insights to work with clients from refugee and multicultural backgrounds are invited to join this upcoming webinar. Hear lived experience insights on the importance of cultural responsiveness in safe and effective mental health care, build your foundational understanding of cultural competence and cultural responsiveness and understand the key principles and practical implications of cultural responsiveness.
Date: Monday 30th June 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Register now to learn more about cultural competence as a core part of quality mental health care. For further information, please contact the Embrace team at Mental Health Australia at multicultural@mhaustralia.org.
Mental Health News
Interview transcript: Minister for Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS, ABCTV Afternoon Briefing, 13th June
The Hon. Mark Butler MP discussed the health and mental health ministers' meeting in Melbourne, and the agenda including mental health. Minister Butler said ministers spent a number of hours working with the mental health sector, and heard powerful voices of people with lived experience of mental illness and their carers about ways in which they're not getting the supports they or their family members need.
Press conference transcript: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and Special Envoy for Men's Health, Toronto, NSW, 17th June
The Hon. Richard Marles MP and the Hon. Dan Repacholi MP discussed the opening of Toronto Men's Shed, the government's $32 million election commitment to men's mental health, Medicare Mental Health Centres and Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
Media release: Submissions for anti-bullying rapid review close this week
Submissions to inform the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which has been launched by the
Albanese Labor Government will close at the end of this week. More than 900 submissions have been received from families, young people, teachers and community members from across Australia. The majority of submissions have come from parents, who have emphasised the importance of clear communication for the intervention and management of bullying.
Article: Psychosocial disability in Australia, 2022
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released an article providing data about people with psychosocial disability from the 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. Key statistics include: in 2022, 1.7 million Australians (6.5%) had psychosocial disability, up from 1.1 million (4.6%) in 2018. Of these:
- 61.0% had a profound or severe limitation
- 87.2% had at least one other coexisting disability
- 39.0% were employed, up from 25.7% in 2018.
Greens urge Federal Government to rethink NDIS pricing changes amid widespread sector concern
The Australian Greens are calling on the Albanese Government and the National Disability
Insurance Agency (NDIA) to engage in urgent and meaningful consultation with health
professionals and disability support providers following growing concerns over the changes in the NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2024-25. The changes would see a reduction in the hourly rate for some allied health professionals, a continuation of multi-year price freezes for others, and a reduction in travel rates for all allied health professionals.
Media release: No relief for OTs – NDIS price freeze enters seventh year with services at breaking point
Thousands of NDIS participants are facing longer waitlists and reduced access to critical occupational therapy services after the NDIA confirmed therapy support prices will remain frozen into a seventh consecutive year.
Media release: NDIS pricing recommendations risk access to vital speech pathology care
Speech pathologists and participants have been let down once again by the NDIA's allied health therapy pricing recommendations for 2025-26, which threaten access to vital speech pathology services. Price limits for speech pathology services have been frozen for six years.
Media release: People with disability dealt another nutrition care blow
Dietitians Australia is deeply concerned by the NDIS' recommendation to lower price limits for allied health services, including dietitians, warning that it will further reduce access to safe, essential nutrition care for people with disability.
Media release: Specialist doctors’ fees threaten the future of private hospitals
Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for health insurers, is calling for the Federal Government to urgently act on the Grattan Institute report Special treatment: Improving Australians’ access to specialist care. The report reveals nearly two million Australians are skipping or delaying health care due to the soaring cost to see a specialist doctor in the community, with some charging nearly $1000 up-front for a first appointment.
The trend comes as some private hospitals are experiencing low demand, particularly for mental health care and obstetrics – two medical specialties where some doctors charge very high fees. These fees, charged outside of a hospital admission, cannot legally be covered by health insurance.
Article: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder reforms "past due"
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) says GPs’ scope in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) must be expanded nationwide to ensure all patients have equitable access to care. On Monday, the college ramped up its advocacy for national consistency in ADHD diagnosis and treatment, saying GPs in all states and territories must be allowed to practice to their full scope.
Media release: No answers as mental health tax sham rolls on (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is refusing to provide its spending breakdown, again exposing the mental health tax as a shady sham. The $1 billion-a-year tax, imposed on employers, was supposed to fix the mental health system – instead it is seemingly being used to plug gaps in Labor’s debt-riddled budget. Minister of Mental Health, Ingrid Stitt, today in a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing refused to give a breakdown on where the money is going to support mental health.
Report: Audit Office of New South Wales – The mental health and wellbeing of NSW police (NSW)
The report examines whether the NSW Police Force has been efficient and effective in managing and supporting the psychological wellbeing of the police workforce.
Media release: Mental health funding falls short (SA)
The Labor Government’s focus on crisis mental health beds in the State Budget ignores the concerning unmet need for preventative care in the community and falls woefully short of what is required. The Opposition called on Health Minister Chris Picton to advocate for more Commonwealth funding at the National Health Minister’s meeting.
(See attached media release.)
News from the NDIS
Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26
The updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2025-26 has been published, following the release of the 2024-25 Annual Pricing Review recommendations. The PAPL (previously the NDIS Price Guide) assists participants and disability support providers in understanding how price controls for supports and services work in the NDIS. The pricing updates come into effect on 1st July 2025.
Help improve the NDIS provider change experience
The NDIS is undergoing significant change. The NDIA is inviting NDIS provider representatives with a good understanding of their organisation’s operations, who feel comfortable using the NDIS provider portals and are interested in participating, to share their insights into what the changes mean for them, and how the NDIA can support them through the change process.
Complete the form below to apply. Multiple representatives from a provider are encouraged.
Department of Social Services consultation on NDIS Supports rules
The Department of Social Services has opened a consultation on the NDIS Supports rules, after feedback to the NDIS Review that participants and others want clearer information about what supports they can spend their NDIS funds on. Mental Health Australia understands this consultation will inform design of what is and is not a NDIS support going forward. The department invites feedback from NDIS participants and the disability community about their experience of the current definitions and list of NDIS supports.
Feedback will be used to make decisions about changes to the NDIS Supports rules before updated rules are agreed with state and territory governments.
Participant experience surveys
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) wants to hear from NDIS participants, family members, carers, or plan nominees.
Changes to NDIS legislation
NDIS participants and nominees are invited to provide feedback about how they have experienced recent changes to the NDIS. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and closes Friday 27th June 2024.
Link to survey: Survey about changes to NDIS legislation.
Recent and proposed changes for the NDIS and related systems: what does it mean for people with mental health support needs?
NDIS participants and nominees are invited to provide feedback about how changes to the NDIS, including the Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1 amendments, might affect people with mental health challenges in Australia. The University of Sydney is running this survey. The findings, with all personal information removed, will be shared with the NDIA to help guide policy decisions and improve service delivery.
Link to survey: Survey about recent and proposed changes to the NDIS and related systems.
Webinar series for participants: Understanding the NDIS – Funding periods
Funding periods define how often a participant can access a portion of their NDIS funding and how long it needs to last. They also help participants understand and manage their budget effectively, ensuring funds are available for the full length of an NDIS plan.
This webinar aims to give participants clearer insight into their budget and when to use specific funds, how to manage their budget, and what happens to unspent funds.
Date: Wednesday 25th June 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams.
Registration is essential and closes COB Tuesday 24th June 2025.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Australian Government tender opportunity: Delivery of the National Early Intervention Service, a Digital Mental Health Service
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a Request for Tender for Request for Tender for the delivery of the National Early Intervention Service, a Digital Mental Health Service. The department is seeking responses by 2:00pm, 21st July 2025.
An industry briefing session will be held on 26th June 2025. Learn more at the button below.
Have your say
Suicide Prevention Australia's (SPA) 2025 State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention Survey is now open. The results will inform SPA's next State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention report, which offers important on-ground insights into the challenges, operations, opportunities, facing the suicide prevention sector across Australia.
Anyone working in the suicide prevention and mental health sectors are invited to take part. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and closes Friday 27th June at 5:00pm AEST.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists curriculum redesign project
The Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is undertaking a landmark revision of its curriculum framework, aimed at future-proofing psychiatric training in Australia and New Zealand. The revision is part of a suite of educational reforms that are essential to maintaining high standards of psychiatric training, ensuring alignment with contemporary mental health needs, and meeting accreditation requirements set by the Australian Medical Council.
College members and the community are invited to have their say on the draft curriculum framework, until 31st August 2025.
Have your say on the Australian Taxation Office Vulnerability Framework
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is developing a framework to better support people experiencing vulnerability when they interact with the tax system.
A public consultation on the draft Vulnerability Framework is open until 18th July 2025. The ATO is seeking feedback from organisations, advocates and community leaders who support individuals who may be experiencing vulnerability in any form, to ensure the draft framework reflects the needs and experiences of the people it’s designed to support.
The draft can be viewed on the ATO website at the button below, and feedback provided via email to VulnerabilityConsultation@ato.gov.au.
Featured Members
Psychosis Australia
The mission of the Psychosis Australia is to support organisational, investment, and policy capacity to carry out priority-driven research into schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder – with the aim of helping all those affected by these mental illnesses to live better lives now. Established to be an umbrella organisation and knowledge bank for research and services related to psychosis in Australia, the immediate goals of Pyschosis Australia are to:
• Review current research programs and activities being carried out in Australia in relation to psychotic disorders, and developing an evidence-based approach to allocating priorities for further research;
• Carry out research and research-related activities in relation to psychotic disorders;
• Link the priorities of researchers with those of Australians who have the lived experience of psychosis, through our partnership with consumer and carer organisations across Australia; and
• Promote and facilitate the translation of research into practice in relation to psychotic disorders – thereby reducing the burden of disease.
Communify Queensland
Communify Queensland is an established community organisation providing a diverse range of services. Communify is committed to providing a high quality of care and support to the people we provide services to. This includes: ensuring that services are well planned, internal controls are in place to comply with relevant funding body standards, a quality management system is in place, the service is effective in meeting the diverse needs of the community, and the service is provided at the best possible level of quality.
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