In a move worth $300 million, mental health services will have their funding renewed for a further 12 months.
The announcement made today by Health Minister Sussan Ley follows a campaign by Mental Health Australia, after some mental health services began to shut down, unsure of future funding.
Ms Ley said the 12-month extension would allow services to continue to be delivered while work continued on the current Mental Health Review.
She said negotiations would commence immediately, with priority placed on frontline services.
“This review will allow Government to form long-term plans to ensure our high-quality mental health services continue to provide the right care, at the right time in the right setting,” she said.
“However, most people also recognise that to achieve this, improvements need to be made in the way mental health is organised and funded in Australia and it’s important this opportunity for positive reform isn’t rushed.”
Ms Ley added that extending existing funding for another 12 months would provide frontline mental health services with clarity and certainty.
Mental Health Australia chief executive Frank Quinlan said the funding extension was a great relief, both for mental health workers and the people they help.
“This announcement gives the sector some reassurance as we work through the findings of the review with the Federal Government,” Mr Quinlan said.
Ms Ley said the Government was committed to working with the mental health sector to deliver effective, efficient and high-quality services.
She said the Government was currently working through the findings of the review and it would be released soon.