CEO Update: Timing is key – the case for a new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in 2026
21 August 2025
CEO Message
Timing is key: the case for a new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in 2026
Yesterday, I addressed a public hearing into the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
It was an opportunity to reiterate opportunities to improve the Agreement, as set out in Mental Health Australia’s submission in response to the Commission’s interim report, and informed by our consultation with members.
While Mental Health Australia strongly supports the majority of the Commission’s interim findings and recommendations, we made several recommendations on how the review could be strengthened.
We have asked the Commission to reconsider recommending a delay in negotiations for the next Agreement. In our view, this concedes pressure for reform and unnecessarily delays urgent action in key priority areas, such as children’s access to mental health support, strengthening the mental health workforce, and the identified gap in unmet need for psychosocial support outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It also extends ineffective governance arrangements.
We suggested that governments engage immediately with the sector and lived experience advocates, families, carers and kin, to guide a new, more effective agreement, ready for implementation on 1 July 2026.
We strongly support the Commission’s suggestion to develop a renewed National Mental Health Strategy, however suggested that this could be better progressed as a key priority within the next Agreement – rather than holding up negotiations of the next Agreement. This would provide adequate time to co-design the strategy, and ensure genuine buy-in across jurisdictions.
Governments can also make immediate changes to improve the governance mechanisms of the Agreement. In the final report, we would like to see even stronger recommendations to strengthen sector, lived experience and carer involvement across all governance levels and forums.
We also suggested that the Commission’s proposal to shift responsibility for negotiations for the next agreement to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, risks losing important relationships and connections with the mental health sector and advocates – and governments’ access to the expertise of those with direct experience of the existing system.
Instead, we argued that the agreement should focus more firmly on funded cross-portfolio commitments to generate action on the social determinants of mental health, backed by strong reporting and accountability mechanisms.
We cannot wait another year – or more – for governments to act. Pursuing the new agreement now, without further delay, is an opportunity to address urgent gaps in supports, while also creating the foundation for effective system reform and implementation.
We thank members for your contributions to our Productivity Commission response and look forward to receiving the final report later this year.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Australia News
Reminder: Join our member-only webinar tomorrow – National Mental Health Commission 2024 Report Card
The National Mental Health Commission’s (NMHC) National Report Card for the 2024 calendar year examines the prevalence of mental health challenges, the drivers behind it and the performance of the mental health system.
Mental Health Australia members are invited to join Mental Health Australia CEO, Carolyn Nikoloski, and NMHC CEO David McGrath for a discussion of the data, themes and implications emerging from the 2024 Report Card, and what the results mean for Australia’s mental health system moving forward.
This webinar is a member-only benefit.
Date: Friday 22nd August 2025
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration is essential, learn more at the button below.
Mental Health News
Transcript: Securing the Future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, National Press Club, Canberra, 20th August 2025
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Hon. Mark Butler MP discussed topics including disability rights, the NDIS review, disability supports, government spending, NDIS reform, Commonwealth/State funding, early childhood education and care, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and carers.
Media release: NDIS reform plans big on rhetoric, light on detail
The Coalition acknowledges the Government’s promises to deliver further NDIS reforms but calls on the Government to move beyond words and now deliver real, practical action for people with disability, their families and the Australian community. While Labor’s NDIS changes passed Parliament last August, that was only the first step. Australians with disability, their families and the sector deserve certainty, not more confusion and delay. Promises are not enough; it is the delivery that matters.
(See media release attached.)
Media release: Autistic Australians used as political football in Minister's shameful announcement
At his National Press Club address, Minister Mark Butler announced changes to NDIS eligibility for children he described as having “mild to moderate autism” and developmental delay. This announcement has been met with outrage from the autistic community and disability advocates, who warn that the move is discriminatory, dangerous, and based on political spin rather than evidence.
Media release: Mental health experts and insurers unite to issue stark productivity warning to Treasurer Jim Chalmers
Leading mental health experts and groups have teamed up with the insurance industry to draw attention to a major drag on Australia’s productivity, mental ill-health. In an open letter to the Treasurer, the Hon. Dr Jim Chalmers MP, the signatories (including Mental Health Australia) have called for bold reform which will target the root causes of mental ill-health in Australia.
Media release: Economic Reform Roundtable is an historic opportunity
The Economic Reform Roundtable must be open to meaningful reform that lifts living standards for those falling behind and makes Australia a better place. “This roundtable is an historic opportunity to make Australia a fairer, better country, both for people and for the planet,” said Australian Council of Social Services Chief Executive Officer Dr Cassandra Goldie. “We must move beyond sectoral interests and build consensus around solutions to lift the living standards of our community, especially those with the least. Discussions about productivity cannot be separated from discussions about the kind of society we want to live in."
Media release: Life insurers back immediate action for Government to tackle mental health crisis
The Council of Australian Life Insurers has joined a national coalition of mental health experts and industry groups calling on the Federal Government to take urgent action to address Australia’s growing mental health crisis. In an open letter to the Hon. Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia, ahead of the Federal Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable, the group warned that untreated mental ill-health is holding Australia back and costing the economy up to $220 billion each year.
Media release: For positive productivity, partner with private hospitals
As the nation prepares for the Treasurer’s Economic Forum this week, decision-makers are being reminded of the vital contribution private hospitals make to the health economy and that it needs to grow. Failure to act on viability issues is already having far-reaching ramifications for healthcare delivery, shifting more costs to the public system, and undermining productivity. Australian Private Hospitals Association Chief Executive Officer Brett Heffernan said taxpayers get a massive return on zero investment in private hospitals, with just 633 private hospitals carrying out 70% of planned surgery, 61% of acute mental healthcare, 81% of rehabilitation and 1.66 million medical treatments each year, including 54% of chemotherapy.
Report release: Delivering quality care more efficiently – interim report
The Australian Government should better align quality and safety regulation across the care economy, including through a national approach to screening care workers, the interim report of a Productivity Commission inquiry recommends. The report also recommends facilitating collaboration in the commissioning of care services and establishing a National Prevention Investment Framework to help stop health and other problems before they start or get worse. The interim report, Delivering quality care more efficiently, is the final of five that the PC has published over two weeks setting out practical reforms to boost Australia’s productivity.
Media release: Beyond Blue backs Productivity Commission push for focus on prevention
Beyond Blue has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for a national prevention investment framework that would create an ongoing and stable investment vehicle for a healthier, thriving Australia. Beyond Blue Chief Executive Officer Georgie Harman AO said adopting the recommendation in the Productivity Commission’s Interim Report on Delivering Quality Care More Efficiently, would be a gamechanger.
Communiqué: Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting, 15th August 2025
The Standing Council of Attorneys-General convened in Sydney to discuss a range of issues, including the indefinite detention of persons found unfit to plead, stand trial or not guilty by reason of cognitive or mental health impairment. A cross-jurisdictional working group will be established to undertake a review of the National Statement of Principles relating to Persons Unfit to Plead or Not Guilty by Reason of Cognitive or Mental Health Impairment, in response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability recommendation.
Media release: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies call for urgent action on deaths in custody
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia and Thirrili are calling for urgent action following the death of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White, who died in police custody after being forcibly restrained by two non-uniformed officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs in May 2025. Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1987–1991), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody continue to grow. “For our people, mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, disability, and justice are not separate issues – they are deeply connected, and we experience these together, not in silos. A system-wide approach is desperately needed if we are ever going to close the gap for our peoples," said Rachel Fishlock, Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi.
Media release: "Nothing has changed": new report finds no progress for students with disability, two years after Royal Commission
Students with disability continue to be excluded, bullied, and denied meaningful support at school almost two years after the Disability Royal Commission called for urgent reform. A new national report, Disillusion and Delay, draws on recent surveys of nearly 400 disabled students and parents or caregivers conducted by Children and Young People with Disability Australia, the University of Melbourne, and the University of New South Wales. It describes ongoing systemic failures across Australia’s education system, including widespread bullying and exclusion, ineffective support plans, under-trained teachers, and a lack of inclusive culture.
Media release: Royal Australian College of GPs issues "life-changing" call to help resolve $20b per year Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder problem
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has called for changes that would allow patients across the country greater access to life-changing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) care. The new RACGP position outlines that specialist GPs should be able to practise to their full scope in ADHD to provide patients affordable and accessible high-quality diagnosis and management, helping families and families access care more effectively. RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said GPs are ready and able to ease the strain on patients, families and the wider healthcare system.
Media release: Northern Territory youth justice overhaul a punitive step backwards that will worsen Closing the Gap outcomes (NT)
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia condemns the Northern Territory Government's proposed overhaul of the Youth Justice Act 2005, describing it as a punitive and damaging step backwards that ignores overwhelming evidence and will cause irreversible harm to vulnerable children. Gayaa Dhuwi affirms the right to safety for every person in our community, especially our children. However, creating genuinely safe communities is achieved through early intervention and support, which is far more effective and prudent than punishing distressed young people.
Media release: Next step towards improved access to ADHD care in the ACT (ACT)
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for general practitioners working in the ACT who are interested in managing and prescribing medications and diagnosing ADHD. The EOI will help shape the pilot program, which aims to improve affordability and support timely access to assessment and treatment for patients, while supporting GPs to work to an expanded scope of practice.
Media release: Living Learning Program opens doors for young people (VIC)
Young Victorians living with mental health challenges will get the support they need to re-engage with education and build a future through an Australian-first program backed by the Allan Labor Government. The Hester Hornbrook Academy’s new purpose-built campus in Melbourne’s CBD has been opened, where students take part in the Living Learning program, made possible by a $7.5 million investment from the Labor Government. Living Learning supports young people aged 15 to 24 who are disengaged from education and living with mental health conditions.
Media release: Putting wellbeing at the heart of Victoria's future (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is taking action to boost the mental health and wellbeing of all Victorians giving everyone a chance to thrive now and into the future. Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Ingrid Stitt MP launched Wellbeing in Victoria: A Strategy to Promote Good Mental Health 2025–2035, Victoria’s first plan to boost wellbeing and reduce mental distress across the community.
News from the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Monthly community stakeholder update meetings
People involved in disability-related work, including from advocacy organisations, community-based groups, community health services, community legal services, state government services and disability sub-peak bodies, are invited to the National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) community stakeholder update meetings.
Held on the first Wednesday of each month, these meetings are an opportunity for the NDIA and stakeholders to learn about NDIS news and announcements, promote inclusive and accessible programs or other disability related updates, collectively engage, listen, and talk about challenges and achievements and hear guest speakers from within and outside the NDIA discuss a range of topics. Meetings include a Q&A.
Registration is essential, email community.engagement@ndis.gov.au. Please include the state or territory you are located in when you register.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Release of the Australian Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM)
Version 1 of the Australian Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM) has been released and is available on the Life in Mind website.
AuSPPM is a national framework for estimating the optimal levels of support and resourcing required to meet the suicide prevention service needs of the Australian population. The model has been developed by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research at the University of Queensland, with funding from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the Lifeways consortium led by the University of Melbourne. The model is designed to bring together evidence on service needs to inform population planning for suicide prevention programs and services.
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research will present a one-hour information session on the new model, including a panel discussion about how the model might be used to inform policy and planning.
Date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Register at the button below.
Australian Government consultation: Have your say on reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act
The Australian Government has released an Issues Paper to seek views on reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, as well as other opportunities to clarify and strengthen protections for people with disability. This is part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission).
People with disability, carers, families and kin, advocates, service providers, employers, unions, educational bodies, small business, legal professionals, academia and the broader community are invited to participate and share their views. Share your views in a short community survey, written, audio or video submission. Submissions close 24th October 2025.
Learn more at the button below.
Online survey: Co-design of an expert AI chatbot
The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre is recruiting young people aged 18-30 years to take part in an online survey. The results of the survey will inform the co-design of an expert AI chatbot to deliver specialist assessment and personalised care planning and coordination.
Access the survey at the button below or contact Dr Adam Poulsen (adam.poulsen@sydney.edu.au) for more information.
Griefline 2025 National Grief Survey
The 2025 National Grief Survey is a nationwide project designed to better understand the experiences of grieving Australians, and where current systems of support are falling short. If you’ve experienced grief in the past 12 months, you are invited to share your experience. Your voice will help shape a more inclusive, informed approach to grief support across the country.
The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is open until 31st August 2025.
Everymind Prevention in Practice Summit 2025
The Prevention in Practice Summit 2025 is a one-day summit focused on bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap in the prevention of mental ill-health.
Job Opportunities
Chief Executive Officer
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) is recruiting for a Chief Executive Officer. Leverage business acumen and lived experience to advocate, unlock opportunities, and influence systemic reform, improving outcomes for individuals with high need mental health challenges, and their families. For more information about MIFA, visit www.mifa.org.au.
Learn more about the role at the button below.
Canberra Health Service: Manager of Peer Services (designated lived experience role)
Canberra Health Service is looking for a lived experience leader to help shape and lead peer-led mental health services.
Applications close 24th August 2025.
Featured Members
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of 7.69 million square kilometres. Delivered by a dedicated team of professionals, using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, and supported by a vast number of volunteers and supporters, the RFDS is vital for those that live, work and travel in rural and remote Australia.
KidsXpress
KidsXpress is a not-for-profit organisation delivering specialist mental health services for children under the age of 12yrs and their caregivers. Established in 2005, KidsXpress sought to address the lack of services available to children who were living with the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as neglect, abuse, grief and other types of traumatic events including natural disasters.
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.
If you are interested in being featured in our newsletter, please note that promotions in the Weekly CEO Update are one of many member benefits. Apply for a full or associate membership to take part in advocacy at the national level. For more information or to register your organisation, follow this link.