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.

Reflecting on the Productivity Commission's review of the National Agreement and next steps

Last week, we welcomed the release of the Productivity Commission’s Interim Report into their review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.   

The Commission’s early findings provide a necessary, frank and compelling assessment of the shortcomings of the existing National Agreement, as well as the funding and governance arrangements behind it. 

Together, the Interim Report and What We’ve Heard So Far paper describe many of the flaws in the mental health system, that consumers, carers, family and kin have been telling us for generations – our mental health system is "alienating, inadequate, ill-informed, and under-resourced". The report also reflects the concerns and shortcomings included in Mental Health Australia’s initial submission to the review. It paints a picture of an existing Agreement that is not fit for purpose, or achieving the systemic change that is needed.  

At the same time, the report reflects on the importance of governments genuinely partnering with consumers, carers, family and kin, and the sector, in the design and governance of the next National Agreement. It presents thoughtful, immediate actions that decision-makers can take to improve both existing service access (such as an immediate uplift to psychosocial supports) and the design and delivery of the next Agreement, which is due for negotiation in the next year.   

In particular, Mental Health Australia welcomes the recommendations for immediate action to deliver commitments remaining under the current Agreement, namely releasing the National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy and National Guidelines on Regional Planning and Commissioning by the end of 2025, and working to address the unmet need for psychosocial support outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  

We also welcome recommendations to increase the transparency and effectiveness of governance arrangements, including by increasing the involvement of lived experience and sector representatives in both co-design and governance forums, and ensuring a stronger role for the National Mental Health Commission to independently monitor the progress of delivery of the Agreement. 

These actions offer a pathway to creating the strong, shared foundation that is integral to effective system reform and implementation. Some of these actions – such as increasing transparency of existing governance forums and reporting mechanisms – could also be done now, without needing to wait for the next Agreement. 

There are further opportunities for sector input into the review before the final report is handed to Government in October, through further submissions (due by 31st July 2025), public hearings and responses to information requests. Mental Health Australia’s submission will include feedback and insights from our members, captured at our most recent Policy Forum. 

The existing arrangements and future approach are rightly under scrutiny. We look forward to the Commission’s final report and continuing to advocate for a more effective National Agreement, and a better approach to mental health and suicide prevention that provides everyone in our community with the care and support they need and deserve.  

Carolyn Nikoloski 
CEO, Mental Health Australia

Media release: Productivity Commission interim report confirms mental health system is failing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 

Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia welcomed the candid assessment of a fragmented and failing system in the Productivity Commission’s interim report on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, but cautions that its recommendations must be met with a genuine commitment from governments to appropriately fund and engage in shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations. 

Report: Saving the NDIS – How to rebalance disability services to get better results

Australia is spending more than ever on disability services – and yet many people with disability still aren’t receiving the support they need. Since the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) began in 2013, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of disabled Australians and their families. But the NDIS has grown too big, too fast. New “foundational supports” – disability-specific services outside individual NDIS packages – are part of the answer to reduce demand on the NDIS and make the scheme sustainable. They were supposed to be operational from 1st July 2025. That’s tomorrow, but they are nowhere to be seen. A new Grattan Institute report shows how the government can fund these vital supports and save the NDIS – without spending more money.

Media release: Autism Awareness Australia welcomes Grattan's Institute's call for NDIS rebalance

Autism Awareness Australia has today welcomed the release of the Grattan Institute’s report, Saving the NDIS, acknowledging the urgent need for systemic reform while underscoring the importance of protecting essential early interventions for autistic children.

Media release: New tool to support dementia care workforce

A new app-based tool available from Dementia Australia will help support people working in health, disability and aged care to provide quality care for people living with dementia. Dementia Australia Executive Director of Services, Advocacy and Research Dr Kaele Stokes said the tool – called Tell TiNA - will help workers and providers to assess the skills they need to embed in order to better support people living with dementia and meet the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards that commence from 1 November 2025.

Media release: Crossbench calls for a governmental response to the Murphy Report on its 2nd anniversary

On the second anniversary of the tabling of the landmark parliamentary report “You Win Some, You Lose More”, widely known as the Murphy Report, crossbench MPs and senators have urged the Albanese government to ban advertising for online gambling. In 2024, Australians lost nearly $2,500 each on average, roughly equivalent to a year’s worth of electricity bills. Apart from financial loss, gambling also causes devastating social harm including mental health issues, partner violence, family break-ups, and suicide.

Article: How cultural adaptation can enhance Aboriginal community engagement 

A door-to-door initiative in an Aboriginal Community in Cherbourg, Queensland has exposed the need to tailor project design and implementation approaches to the needs of Aboriginal communities. The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) project, run by Community Mental Health Australia, released a new report authored by the Centre for Social Impact at The University of Western Australia and care provider Each. The findings from the doorknocking initiative provide a roadmap for how agencies and funding bodies can work more proactively and collaboratively with Aboriginal Communities to adapt initiatives, while meeting accountability for funding bodies and local cultural governance.

Media release: Shepparton welcomes new mental health local site (VIC)

The Allan Labor Government is making access to free, community-based mental health care even easier with the official opening of the permanent home for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Shepparton. Developed with community members and people with lived and living experience, the Shepparton Local offers a range of clinical and wellbeing mental health supports via in-person walk-ins and appointments, telehealth and outreach services – all free of charge, with no Medicare card or GP referral required.

Media release: Families, regional Western Australians focus of mental health boost (WA)

The first WA GPs to independently diagnose and manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will start providing this care in early 2026 following an initial period of co-management with non-GP specialist mentorship. The Royal Australian College of GPs lauded the WA Government's announcement that it has committed $1.3 million in the WA Budget to the state’s ADHD GP Program. 

Media release: New training program to enhance dementia care across Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmanian Health Service staff will receive innovative virtual reality training under a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government, ensuring those living with dementia stay safe and receive the highest-quality care. Working with Dementia Australia, the Government will provide the training model, D-Esc, to staff across our four major hospitals and community nursing teams. D-Esc is a workshop that provides virtual reality training on de-escalating behavioural emergencies related to dementia.

Webinar invitation: Beyond Burnout with Beyond Blue

This webinar is designed for people who want to develop strategies to better handle pressures at work and at home, to recognise and address signs of burnout and to improve their overall mental health. 

Beyond Blue's webinars are free, but participants are invited to make a donation to the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service. 

Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Time: 12:00-1:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams

Learn more and register at the button below. 

Queensland Mental Health Review Tribunal member opportunities

Queensland's Mental Health Review Tribunal is an independent decision-making body that operates in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld). The Tribunal’s primary purpose is to review the involuntary status of persons with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability. Applications are invited from lawyers, psychiatrists and community members for member positions anticipated to commence from February 2026. 

Applications close 14th July 2025.

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing survey on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workforce Association

A survey to inform the development of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce Association is now open.

Feedback is invited from mental health and suicide prevention peer workers, including peer workers from other sectors, on the scope of the Association's activity, and eligibility criteria for the entity that will be selected to establish it. Responses will inform the drafting of the grant opportunity to establish the new Association so that it is best placed to meet sector need. Responses will be kept confidential.

The survey is open until Monday 21st July 2025.

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.

Ten years of honouring mental health leadership: 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize nominations now open 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the highly regarded Australian Mental Health Prize. Established by UNSW Sydney, the prize honours Australians who have made outstanding contributions to mental health across four categories: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Lived Experience, Professional, and Community Hero.

Nominations close 23rd July 2025. Learn more at the button below. 

Job opportunity: National Mental Health Consumer Alliance 

The National Mental Health Consumer Alliances invites applications for the position of Executive Assistant, to support a small team and the CEO with the day-to-day running of the Alliance. 

Applications close 5:00pm AEST, 17th July 2025. Learn more at the button below. 

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