CEO Update: Mental health on the Federal Election agenda
3 April 2025
CEO Message
Mental health on the Federal Election agenda
Last week, the Federal Coalition committed to a $400 million investment in youth mental health, in their Opposition Budget reply speech. This, together with the Coalition’s longstanding commitment to invest $500 million to double the number of Better Access sessions, from 10 to 20, has firmly put mental health on the agenda for the 2025 Federal Election.
The promise of this new investment recognises the importance of mental health to the Australian community, particularly as we navigate a cost-of-living crisis, housing pressures and job insecurity.
The Coalition’s promise includes expanding services for young Australians experiencing chronic or complex mental health conditions and increasing supports in regional and outer-metropolitan areas.
This is a meaningful start, and we are seeking more information to better understand how this package can address both the rising prevalence of mental health conditions among young people, and overcome the cost and access barriers that impact on young people getting the support they need.
Later today Mental Health Australia’s Chair, Dr Peggy Brown and I are meeting with the Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Ruston, to further discuss the Coalition’s commitments, and what it will mean for the community and sector.
We continue to urge all parties and candidates to prioritise mental health in their election commitments – and to fulfil those commitments once elected – through our platform for the 2025 Federal Election.
In particular, we ask all parties and candidates to commit to free mental health support for children and young people, through:
- creating free and accessible mental health care pathways;
- expanding existing mental health services to meet need;
- using the education system as a pathway to mental health support;
- increasing the focus on prevention; and
- growing the workforce to ensure timely access to support across the country.
Our platform outlines solutions that an incoming government can immediately implement to ensure all children and young people can access the range and breadth of supports they need to thrive.
Mental health remains a major priority for Australian voters: 75% per cent think government needs to do more on mental health, and 63% would be more inclined to vote for a party committed to address the accessibility of mental health services.
The Coalition’s pledge provides a necessary starting point for reform if they form government at the election, and importantly, mounts pressure on the Labor party to make commitments of their own to address the rising demand for mental health supports in Australia. We are also engaging with crossbench and independent candidates who may be able to champion mental health reform if called upon to help form a potential minority government.
Together our sector must stand united and be ready to seize the opportunities the election campaign provides for meaningful reform beyond the 3rd of May 2025.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Media release: Mental Health Australia welcomes Coalition commitment for youth mental health
Mental Health Australia welcomed the Coalition's election commitment to increase youth mental health support and has called on all political parties and candidates to prioritise mental health in this Federal Election.
Mental Health News
2025 Federal Election
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care:
Media release: Delivering kids hubs for SA
The Albanese Government is delivering support for Adelaide children to get the early intervention and mental health support they need with the first of two Kids Hubs to be located at the Marion GP Plus Health Centre in Oaklands Park. Kids Hubs provide free mental health and wellbeing care for children under 12, and their families, experiencing mild to moderate mental health, functional, behavioural or emotional challenges. Children will not need a formal referral or diagnosis to receive care.
Media release: Strengthening Medicare: A $300 million state-of-the-art health service for South Adelaide
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will work with the Malinauskas Labor Government to build South Australia’s future, today announcing a new state-of-the-art health service for Adelaide’s south: the Flinders HealthCARE Centre. This election is a choice between Labor's plan to keep building and strengthening Medicare, or Peter Dutton's promise to cut Medicare and raise taxes.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care:
Media release: A Dutton Coalition Government will boost headspace mental health support in Melton
An elected Dutton Coalition Government will invest $6.2 million to upgrade headspace Melton and ensure young Australians living in Melbourne’s western suburbs have affordable and accessible mental health services. Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Coalition’s highest priorities. This announcement forms part of the Coalition’s commitment to invest an additional $400 million to deliver a world-leading focus on youth mental health.
Media release: The Coalition Will Deliver a World-Leading Focus on Youth Mental Health
A Dutton Coalition Government will invest $400 million to deliver a world-leading focus on youth mental health. Australia is facing a youth mental health crisis. Two out of five young Australians require access to mental health care, and over half a million of these young people with more complex mental health conditions have little to no access to appropriate specialist support. Tragically, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 24 years old. This crisis has been completely neglected by the Albanese Labor Government.
Media release: Eating disorders can’t wait – Butterfly Foundation calls for critical funding support
Butterfly Foundation called for Labor, the Coalition, the Greens and Community Independents to commit to $9.9 million in funding for critical mental health promotion and prevention services as part of the 2025 Federal Election.
Media release: Five affordable, achievable ‘game-changers’ for carers this election
With more than 3 million people in Australia caring for others who rely on them, Carers Australia believes this is a unique and urgent moment to make five critical changes: cost-of-living support; take superannuation seriously; expand the Young Carer Bursary; investment in Carer-Inclusive Workplaces, and carer recognition from the start of a carer journey.
Media release: CSSA Calls for a Focus on Common Good in 2025 Federal Election
As Australia prepares for the Federal Election on 3rd May 2025, Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) urged all political parties to prioritise the common good over sectional interests in their policy platforms.
Media release: Federal election: Dementia Australia calls for urgent action
With Australians heading to the polls in a matter of weeks, Dementia Australia issued a stark warning: Australians impacted by dementia cannot wait. With dementia set to soon become the nation's leading cause of death, Dementia Australia is urgently calling on all parties, independents and candidates to commit to immediate action.
Media release: Rural matters: Stand up for Australia’s silent economic strength during this election
With the Federal Election set for May 3rd, it is crucial that all Members of Parliament and Senators prioritise the needs of rural Australia and step up to secure a healthier future for all Australians. The 2025-26 Federal Budget fell disappointingly short of providing a tailored solution for rural health care. However, the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) is hopeful that all parties would recognise the economic contribution of rural populations and address their health needs during election campaigns.
Media release: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: Federal Election a critical opportunity to improve access to essential healthcare for Australia
The Royal Australian College of GPs has welcomed the Federal Election on the 3rd of May 2025 as a turning point for improved access to essential health care following bipartisan support for significant investment to boost the specialist GP workforce and Medicare.
Election Platform: National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
The NMHCA has published its Election Platform, with priorities including:
- Creating a National Chief Consumer Officer
- Rebalancing Commissioning to Community and Lived Experience-Led
- Creating a cross-departmental health lived experience advisory structure
Election Platform:The Federal Election has been called: Advocate for OTs now!
Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has launched its Federal Election campaign, with members invited to join in advocating for OTA's 27 key calls to action.
Other News
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, published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, involved a survey of over 5,000 Australian adolescents.
Media release: RAIL R U OK? Reminds us to check in on workmates any day of the year
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is encouraging everyone in the rail industry to embrace a national day of action Rail R U OK?, a joint initiative between the TrackSAFE Foundation and R U OK?
Media release: Sex Discrimination Commissioner celebrates Trans Day of Visibility
On International Trans Day of Visibility, Monday 31st March 2025, the Australian Human Rights Commission recognised and affirmed the rights, dignity, and contributions of trans and gender diverse people. “Visibility is a powerful force – it challenges stigma, fosters greater understanding, and reminds us that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued," said Dr Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that around 178,900 Australians aged 16 years and over identify as trans or gender diverse. Of these, 102,600 are under the age of 35. These numbers reinforce what we have always known – trans and gender diverse people are an integral part of our communities, deserving of respect, safety, and inclusion.
Media release: LGBTIQ+ Health Australia welcomes Budget investment in LGBTIQ+ health and broader healthcare reforms
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare in the 2025-2026 Budget, including continued funding for QLife, with $0.4 million allocated for 2025–26.
Media release: Mental health and suicide prevention forgotten in the 2025-2026 Federal Budget
While Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia welcomed the 2025-2026 Federal Budget, it was disappointed to see that it didn’t include a sustained commitment to social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Media release: 'In the midst of a crisis': Teens wait for critical mental health help
The average wait time for the first session of treatment in Australia could be further harming the mental health of teens, a study has found, prompting calls to introduce national standards. One of the lead researchers, Professor Bridianne O'Dea, based at the Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney and Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said the average wait time for teens to see a treatment provider for anxiety and depression is 99.6 days, highlighting a pressing need for systemic reform in mental health service delivery for young Australians.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Productivity Commission webinar: 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
Issues paper relating to the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia released
The Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, Dr Mike Freelander MP, presented the Committe's report on the inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia to the House of Representatives on Thursday 27th March 2025.
Research opportunity: Psychologists’ attitudes toward, and use of, Artificial Intelligence tools in their work
The Black Dog Institute and Australian Psychological Society are conducting a study to help shape resources, policy, and training for Australian psychologists across a range of workplace settings.
Responses are invited from psychologists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency who currently reside in Australia, including psychologists who don't use Artificial Intelligence in their work.
The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, with the chance to win one of five $100 giftpay electronic gift cards.
Learn more about the study at the button below.
Expressions of interest invited for the National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Group
The National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) is calling for expressions of interest from people with lived and living experience of suicide to join its new Lived Experience Partnership Group.
The NSPO has established the group to ensure people with a lived and living experience of suicide oversee the work of the NSPO, how it engages with people with lived and living experience and the advice it provides Government.
Before applying, candidates should review the readiness to be involved in suicide prevention resource created by Roses in the Ocean.
The expression of interest opportunity is open until midnight 13th April 2025.
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
The Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking feedback to support the development of a mental health curriculum framework for undergraduate degrees.
The department has commissioned Deloitte to provide recommendations to support the development and implementation of the framework, which aims to provide consistency and a shared understanding of the mental health-related knowledge, skills, and capabilities the broader health workforce should learn throughout their undergraduate training.
There is a persistent and ongoing mental health workforce shortage across Australia and upskilling the broader health workforce to identify, respond, refer, and support the mental health of people under their care is a priority.
The consultation is open until 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 18th April 2025. ahaslehurst@deloitte.com.au.
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.
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.
Featured Members
Mindspot
MindSpot is a free, digital psychology service supporting Australian adults with their mental health. Our services include psychological assessment and treatments. We specialise in supporting people experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain and our team of experienced mental health professionals have supported more than 200,000 Australians. Our treatment courses are effective and backed by clinical trials from the eCentreClinic – a leading specialist research clinic at Macquarie University. MindSpot is funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, and delivered by MQ Health, Macquarie University.
Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria
The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) is a state-wide, specialist mental health organisation, providing support, recovery and educational services to people and families living with anxiety disorders. They aim to support and equip people with knowledge and skills that will build resilience and recovery and reduce the impact of anxiety disorders.
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