This page gives an overview of mental health reform and news happening across Australia that is likely to be of interest to consumers.
Can you help us to populate this page?
We need consumer volunteers to keep content on this page up-to-date for each geographical area. If you would like to help, please get in touch in the Volunteering & Contributing Forum.
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.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT government mental health website
Relevant politicians
ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health: Hon. Simon Corbell
ACT News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.
New South Wales
NSW government mental health website
Relevant politicians
NSW Minister for Mental Health: Hon. Pru Goward
NSW News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.
Northern Territory
NT government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for Mental Health: Hon. Johan (John) Wessel Elferink
NT News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.
Queensland
QLD government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for Health: Hon. Cameron Dick MP
QLD News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.
South Australia
SA government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for Mental Health: Hon. Jack Snelling MP
SA News
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Tasmania
TAS government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for Health: Hon. Michael Ferguson
TAS News
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Read about the Rethink mental health reform project in Tasmania.
Victoria
VIC government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for Mental Health: Hon. Martin Foley
VIC News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.
Western Australia
WA government mental health website
Relevant politicians
Minister for mental health: Hon. Helen Morton
WA News
We are seeking a volunteer to keep this section up to date.