The Albanese Government has tasked the Productivity Commission with a review into the mental health and suicide prevention system to deliver better mental health care and support for Australians.
The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement is due to expire in 2026 and it's critical there is a review so all Australian governments are delivering mental health and suicide prevention services and support informed by this work.
Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has invested over $2.4 billion in mental health and suicide prevention.
We've made a lot of progress working closely with state and territory governments through the National Agreement, including:
- Expanding and opening 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres - providing free walk‑in access to mental health services and support
- Strengthening headspace - free mental health support for children and young people from 12 to 25 years with reduced wait times
- Setting up the Head to Health Kids Hub network - mental health and wellbeing centres for children up to 12 years
- Expanding aftercare services - immediate support for people who have recently attempted suicide
- Investing in Distress Brief Intervention Services - compassionate care and short‑term support for people in distress
- Bolstering Postvention support - helping people bereaved following the death by suicide of a family member or friend.
This review is about continuing to build a mental health system that's effective, affordable, and there for Australians when they need it.
The Productivity Commission will consult with government agencies, commissioning bodies, service providers, peak bodies, people with lived and living experience of mental ill‑health and suicide, First Nations communities and other priority groups.
Public hearings will be held as part of the consultation process.
An interim report will be delivered ahead of the final review due October 2025.
