Welcome to Mental Health Australia
As the national, independent peak body for the mental health sector, we unite the sector and advocate for policies that improve mental health.
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For over 25 years Mental Health Australia has advocated for mental health reform, and we continue to drive policy changes and proactively put mental health on the agenda.
What we do
Our strategy
We are the national, independent peak body for the mental health sector. We unite the voices of the mental health sector and advocate for policies that improve mental health.
Latest policy submissions
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31 July 2025Read moreMental Health Australia's Submission in response to the interim report of the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
Mental Health Australia was pleased to provide a submission in response to the interim report of the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. This response builds on our initial submission to this review, and is informed by a consultation workshop with Mental Health Australia members.The interim report provides a clear and valuable analysis of the shortcomings of the current National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, and a useful start on a way forward for the next Agreement. Mental Health Australia strongly supports the majority of the Commission’s draft recommendations. However we are concerned the proposal for extension of the current Agreement risks further delaying urgent intergovernmental actions, particularly in addressing unmet need for psychosocial support, and does not allow appropriate time for development of a renewed National Mental Health Strategy. Mental Health Australia’s submission offers ten specific recommendations for consideration in the Productivity Commission’s final report. Our recommendations point to better balancing the need for urgent action and long-term reform, strengthening governance and accountability, considering the needs of priority population groups and improving sector sustainability through the next Agreement. - 29 July 2025Read more
NDIS Supports Rules Consultation
On Friday 25 July 2025, Mental Health Australia made a submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the NDIS Supports Rules. The rules will determine which supports are and are not considered NDIS Supports, and therefore can or can not be purchased through a NDIS plan. Mental Health Australia’s submission calls for:Exercise physiology and personal wellbeing activities for the purpose of improving psychosocial functioning to be available through NDIS plansA transparent process to update both the lists of ‘Supports that are NDIS supports” and “Supports that are not NDIS Supports”Clarity around the provision of recovery-oriented supportConsistency in the interpretation of therapeutic supports for people with psychosocial disability.The submission builds on Mental Health Australia’s previous submission, and also refers the Australian Government to the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance’s submission as a critical contribution from a lived experience perspective. -
23 June 2025Read moreNDIS Incoming Government Brief
On Friday 20 June 2025, Mental Health Australia provided an Incoming Government Brief on psychosocial disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to Minister for Disability and the NDIS, the Hon Mark Butler MP and Minister for the NDIS, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister.The brief acknowledges that while the NDIS has been life changing for many people with psychosocial disability, their family, carers and kin, it is clear that overall there is a need for a more tailored and effective use of the funding committed to the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability. The brief outlines practical solutions to deliver this approach and recommends priority actions for the first 100 days and first year of this government, informed by sector and lived experience expertise. Actions include introducing a new approach to NDIS support for people with psychosocial disability, getting navigation reforms right for people with psychosocial disability, understanding the recent decline in NDIS access rates, shifting from encouraging dependence to supporting recovery, ensuring psychosocial expertise is informing NDIS reforms and fixing NDIS pricing. The brief also discusses implementation of General Foundational Supports for people with psychosocial disability and addressing the unmet need for psychosocial support outside the NDIS.Read the full Incoming Government Brief by clicking on the PDF link below. - 21 May 2025Read more
2025 Incoming Government Brief
Mental Health Australia's Incoming Government Brief for the mental health portfolio outlines the mental health sector’s priorities for the Albanese Government in the first 100 days and first year, as well as the ongoing reforms the sector is keen to see the government continue to deliver.
Latest media releases
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9 October 2025Read moreNational mental health peak calls on Australians to “connect with your community” this World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, and Australia’s national mental health peak body Mental Health Australia is calling for all people in Australia to take a moment to connect with their communities for good mental health. -
13 June 2025Read moreThe Australian community is left waiting for mental health reform
Peak mental health body Mental Health Australia acknowledges some progress made by Health and Mental Health Ministers at their joint meeting, but calls for greater collective action on key reform priorities.
Events
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29 October 2025Read moreMember Webinar Consultation: 2026-27 Budget priorities - 29 October - Online (Zoom)
Mental Health Australia invites members to an online consultation on Wednesday 29 October 2 – 3:30pm AEDT, to contribute to our advocacy priorities for the 2026-27 Federal Budget. This consultation will inform both a contribution to the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee and Mental Health Australia’s 2026-27 Pre-Budget submission. For more information or to share your organisation’s Budget priorities, please contact policy@mentalhealthaustralia.org.au -
12 November 2025Read moreMembers Policy Forum - 12 November 2025
Mental Health Australia warmly invites you to register to attend our second Members Policy Forum (Forum) for 2025. Our November Forum, to be held at Rydges Melbourne, will focus on collective advocacy, particularly in the context of the next National Agreement of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and broader reform environment. It will offer topical and timely presentations, panel discussions and workshops from a range of speakers across mental health and other sectors.We are delighted to confirm that the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon. Emma McBride MP, will be speaking at the Forum. Representatives from the Productivity Commission’s ‘Delivering quality care more efficiently’ inquiry are also confirmed and additional speakers will be announced shortly.We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne on Wednesday 12 November 2025.Event EssentialsDate: Wednesday 12 November 2025Time: 8:30am arrival for a 9am start – 4pm AEDTVenue: Level 1, Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Vic 3000Register: Click on "Get Tickets" to secure your placeThis is a free, member-only event. Spaces are strictly limited to two per member* organisation.The Forum will commence promptly at 9am. Registration opens at 8:30am, with tea and coffee available on arrival. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.Important InformationPlease note that the program is subject to change.Panel presentations will be available via Zoom (online registrations will open soon via the Mental Health Australia website).Interactive workshops are in-person only.In-person registrations close on Monday 27 October 2025.*Mental Health Australia Members (Full and Associate) are available here. For further information please email events@mentalhealthaustralia.org.au or phone 02 6285 3100.
Get involved
Become a member
Mental Health Australia prides itself on providing members with a range of benefits and value to advocate for lasting mental health reform.
Our membership brings together a diverse range of organisations from across Australia to be a strong voice on mental health reform and stigma reduction.
Make a donation
Make a difference by making a donation to Mental Health Australia.
Mental Health Australia is a registered charity and your tax deductible donations will enable us to continue to produce independent and innovative research.
Connect with us
Join us on social media - follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Including news, events and opportunities to get involved. As the national peak for mental health, Mental Health Australia is your go-to for trusted insights and insights and sector-wide advocacy.
Attend an event
Mental Health Australia holds a number of events for members and invited guests throughout the year.
Members are invited to these events via our membership database list, which is updated monthly.