Reforms to Strengthen the National Mental Health Commission and National Suicide Prevention Office

Overview

The Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) is leading consultation on reforms to strengthen the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) and National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO).

As part of the 2024-25 Budget, the Government announced a process of reform to reset and strengthen the NMHC and NSPO. This reform process will respond to the findings of the 2023 Independent Investigation into the Commission (the Investigation), while positioning both the NMHC and NSPO for long-term success.

The reform process will take place in two phases:

Phase One – As an interim measure, the NMHC and NSPO will transfer to the Department from 30 September 2024. This will provide staff with full access to the Department’s corporate and wellbeing supports, while long-term arrangements are settled. While in the Department, the NMHC and NSPO will continue to report directly to the Minister on delivery of their current functions.

Phase Two – The NMHC and NSPO’s ongoing functions and governance arrangements will be reset to strengthen their impact, while responding to the findings of the Investigation.

The current consultation will support the second phase of reform – focusing on the future state of the NMHC and NSPO.

Why your views matter

Your input will help ensure that the NMHC and NSPO are well placed to support the ongoing performance of Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention systems.

A Discussion Paper has been prepared to help frame input. The Discussion Paper outlines key issues, reform options, and questions to prompt feedback. 

Discussion Paper - Reforms to Strenghthen the NMHC and NSPO

To share your views, please complete the online survey via the link below.

The survey runs through the Discussion Paper questions and also invites broader input, allowing stakeholders to put forward all ideas for reform.

In addition to the survey, the Department - working closely with the NMHC and NSPO - will employ a range of engagement methods to support broad participation, while targeting critical stakeholders from both the mental health and suicide prevention sectors. 

This includes activities designed to capture the views and experiences of people living with mental illness or suicidal distress, along with their families, carers, and kin.

What happens next

Thank you for sharing your views. 

Capturing a broad range of input will help ensure that both the NMHC and NSPO are best positioned to support the performance of the mental health and suicide prevention systems, to the benefit of all Australians.

All feedback will be given careful consideration and will help inform the reform options developed for Government decision.

Updates on the reform process, including a summary of consultation outcomes, will be published in due course.