Doctors are calling on the Queensland government to reveal where money dedicated to mental health, alcohol and other drug services is going, amidst fear opportunities for change are being missed.

Queensland Health data released in June showed there were nearly 15,000 alcohol-related presentations to emergency departments in 2025, with another 7700 presentations related to drugs. 

AMA Queensland and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Queensland said the government’s review into the mental health levy showed it had already raised $1.2 billion dollars and is set to collect more than half a billion more than expected.

“The government’s own data shows nearly 23,000 Queenslanders could have avoided going to hospital last year if they’d had timely treatment from alcohol and drug services,” said AMA Queensland President Associate Professor Erica Gannon.

“We can’t tell if the levy is helping anyone yet because we don’t know where that money is being spent.” The 2026 Queensland budget committed $394.4 million to mental health services, a number confirmed by Health Minister Tim Nicholls in Budget Estimates hearings.

RANZCP Queensland Branch chair Professor Brett Emmerson AM said medical bodies and frontline services now wanted more detail.

“Treasury’s figures show the levy is raising enough to fund measures psychiatrists and other doctors have been crying out for,” he said.

“We desperately need 350 new acute psychiatry beds, 250 bed refurbishments and 2000 more mental health workers to keep up with growing demand.

“The mental health levy should be funding those initiatives but there is no transparency or accountability, despite repeated requests.”

AMA Queensland and RANZCP first raised these concerns in correspondence with Minister Nicholls in May 2025. Read more.

AMA QUEENSLAND MEDIA INQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview, call Natalie Bochenski on +61 419 735 641 or email media@amaq.com.au.

RANZCP MEDIA ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview, call Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.