Mental health sector reform and news

This page gives an overview of mental health reform and news happening across Australia that is likely to be of interest to consumers.

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Quick links to each section on this page:

Federal government reform and news
Reform & news by state and territory:

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Federal government reform and news

Federal government mental health website

Relevant politicians

Federal Minister for Health (Liberal): Hon. Sussan Ley
Federal Minister for Social Services (Liberal): Hon. Christian Porter
Shadow Minister for Mental Health (Labor): Senator Hon. Katy Gallagher
Mental Health Spokesperson (Greens): Senator Hon. Janet Rice

Federal News

In 2013 the federal government asked the National Mental Health Commission to review the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services across Australia. The Commission produced a major report for the government: read the report here.

The federal government formed an expert reference group to read the report and make policy recommendations. This group is almost entirely clinicians, with one consumer representative. The lack of broader representation has received some criticism.
Read more about the Expert Reference Group here.

We are now waiting for the minister to announce what they will do in response to the review and the advice of the expert reference group. Some indications of upcoming policy can be read in Sussan Ley’s recent presentation to the Press Club in Canberra.