Mental Health Australia calls for new National Agreement to prioritise children, families and community-based care
29 July 2026Support for children and families, better access to psychosocial supports and boosting Australia's mental health workforce must be central priorities in the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement (National Agreement), says Mental Health Australia.
The national peak body for Australia’s mental health sector has today released a suite of guidance papers to support Commonwealth, state and territory governments as they develop the next National Agreement. The new National Agreement will set the direction for national mental health reform, shape how people access mental health support across the country, and guide how governments work together.
Drawing on consultation with Mental Health Australia's 160-member network, the guidance outlines practical priorities and recommendations to strengthen Australia's mental health system and improve outcomes for people across the country.
Mental Health Australia Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Nikoloski said getting the next National Agreement right is crucial for the Australian community.
"Australia is facing growing mental health challenges, particularly among children and young people, and mental health and substance use conditions are now the leading cause of living with poor health in Australia," Ms Nikoloski said.
"The National Agreement provides the foundation for an effective, integrated national mental health system. But the Productivity Commission's review demonstrated that the current scope is falling short of delivering the reform and accountability that’s needed, and ultimately failing to deliver for the Australian community.”
"With the current National Agreement already extended and now due to expire in June 2026, we are working on borrowed time. The next few months represent a crucial window for governments to get the next phase of reform right.”
“This can’t just be a rollover of existing arrangements. We need a new National Agreement that truly reflects what people and communities across Australia need.”
"It's also crucial that the next Agreement is shaped by the voices of people with lived experience, alongside families, carers, kin and the broader mental health and suicide prevention sectors. Their insights are essential to setting the right priorities and delivering meaningful change."
Ahead of a meeting of Health and Mental Health Ministers later this year, Mental Health Australia has developed three sector-informed papers outlining key priorities for the next National Agreement:
• A Priorities Statement which sets out clear and practical actions governments can take to improve mental health outcomes through targeted investment in priority reform areas, addressing weaknesses in system foundations and strengthening existing commitments.
• A Principles for Psychosocial Supports Outside the NDIS paper, highlighting psychosocial support for people with severe mental health challenges who fall outside the NDIS as the critical missing piece of Australia's mental health system. Psychosocial supports help people maintain housing, participate in education and employment, build relationships, and live well in their communities.
• A Workforce Priorities paper, outlining the urgent need to address workforce shortages, recruitment and retention challenges, and long-term workforce planning.
Ms Nikoloski said the sector would be watching closely as negotiations progress.
"We will be looking closely at the outcomes of the upcoming Ministers' meeting in September and the priorities governments take forward in the next National Agreement.
"Mental Health Australia looks forward to working with governments to deliver meaningful, lasting reform and better mental health outcomes for people and communities across Australia."
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Media contact:
Caroline Illingworth, Mental Health Australia Senior Communications Manager – 0417037595.
Emma Greeney, Mental Health Australia Director of Policy and Advocacy – 0437891671.