National Mental Health Workforce Sector Advisory Group and Network

The National Mental Health Workforce Sector Advisory Group and Network were established in May 2025 to support the work of the interjurisdictional National Mental Health Workforce Working Group, which oversees implementation of the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–2032. 

Mental Health Australia was invited by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to establish and facilitate the Advisory Group and Network.  

Membership of the targeted Advisory Group is agreed by the Department, and includes representatives of national mental health workforce bodies, representative organisations for priority populations identified in the Strategy, national lived experience consumer and carer representatives, and State and Territory mental health peak bodies representing the community mental health sector. The Advisory Group meets between Working Group meetings, and considers feedback from the Advisory Network. 

The Advisory Network includes representatives across Australia with mental health workforce expertise, relevant to informing implementation of the workforce Strategy. Membership is open to organisational and service provider representatives, as well as individuals working in the mental health sector and people with lived experience as consumers or carers, families and supporters. Individuals or organisations may seek to join (or leave) the Network at any time through contacting the Secretariat via policy@mentalhealthaustralia.org.au.  

Mental health sector advice to the National Mental Health Workforce Working Group 

Through consultation with the Advisory Group and Network, Mental Health Australia has provided guidance to the Working Group on the following topics: 

• National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2023 implementation priorities (June 2025)
• Mental health workforce wellbeing (September 2025) 

The documents are presented and discussed at National Mental Health Workforce Working Group meetings. 

The Advisory Group and Network will operate until 30 June 2026 initially, with further arrangements subject to review and in alignment with the Working Group.