This crisis has developed over many years, under governments of all types. The most recent National Survey of Mental Health found that only 45% of 16-85 year-olds with a mental health disorder were able to access professional care – roughly the same level as was reported in 2010.
Following the Bondi Junction Tragedy in April 2024, I convened leaders and experts in mental health at Parliament House. Our advocacy helped secure regular meetings of Mental Health Ministers across the country, and the release of an analysis of unmet needs for psycho-social supports. The government has also announced a new National Early Intervention Service to start in 2026.
We need to do much more, but there are no easy answers. My priorities are:
Funding equity for mental health.
Mental health issues account for 15% of the total burden of disease in Australia, yet still attracts only 7% of the total national health budget. This has barely changed since 1992, and investment must be raised as part of the National Health Reform Agreement, including on workforce development.
Smarter ways of supporting people with mental health conditions.
It would be a mistake to only pump more money into our current healthcare delivery models because these aren’t working well for existing consumers, particularly those with complex needs.
We need to better leverage low intensity and digital services to free-up resources for those who need in-person care. We also need to help direct the activities of specialists to those who need their support the most.
These changes are even more important whilst the mental health workforce remains constrained.
Better integration of state and federal services.
Too many people are falling through the cracks between primary care (federal) and hospital care (state). Supporting this “missing middle” must be the focus of long-term health reform.
The Productivity Commission is currently reviewing the agreements signed between Federal and State governments around mental health services, ahead of their renewal next year. This reform must deliver more accountability for delivering care to those people with more complex needs.
This will also require more regional commissioning, so support services are tailored to the needs of local communities.