The Allan Labor Government continues to deliver on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System - establishing a coordinated approach to professional development for Victoria's mental health workforce.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced that from 1 July the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing will become responsible for the professional development and upskilling of Victoria's mental health workforce.
The Victorian Collaborative Centre was established following the Royal Commission and is the first of its kind in Australia, bringing together lived experience leadership, innovative service delivery and cutting-edge mental health research to drive system transformation.
Following the Royal Commission's recommendation for the Victorian Collaborative Centre to co-ordinate learning and professional development across the whole mental health and wellbeing sector, it was given the responsibility under law to deliver these activities.
Since 2018, the Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL) has made a significant contribution to the Victorian mental health and wellbeing workforce through practice improvement, workforce development and training programs.
Building on the significant contribution of the CMHL, it's programs will transition to the Victorian Collaborative Centre and create a single source for mental health learning and development resources across Victoria - giving certainty to the mental health workforce.
The Victorian Collaborative Centre will ensure there is no gap in training and development opportunities for the mental health workforce and will work closely with local mental health services to ensure their workforces are getting the opportunities they need.
The Labor Government has invested more than $600 million to grow, support and retain Victoria's dedicated mental health workforce - resulting in 25 per cent growth in the workforce or more than 2100 FTE since 2022.
No other jurisdiction in the country is doing as much to reform the mental health system as Victoria - and we're not wasting a minute building a system that works for every Victorian no matter where they live.
For more information on the Victorian Collaborative Centre's work, visit vccmhw.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"The workforce is the backbone of our mental health system and delivering this recommendation will support them to continue developing their skills and deliver the best care possible."
"The Victorian Collaborative Centre will play a significant role bringing together lived experience, research and innovation to help us grow and develop our world-class mental health workforce."
