You have heard from me quite a bit in recent weeks and with good reason. There is much happening across the College, particularly in our advocacy work.

Across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, the College continues to engage with governments, regulators and key stakeholders to ensure that the needs of people living with mental illness are reflected in policy, legislation and system reform. Much of this work takes place behind the scenes, but it has a direct impact on your practice, your patients and the future of our profession.

This update highlights the breadth of that work, alongside recent organisational developments and two important new College position statements that reinforce the central role of psychiatrists in delivering safe, evidence-informed mental health care.

On behalf of the Board, I thank Damian for his contribution to the College during a period of significant organisational change and wish him well for the future.

The Board remains focused on ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining momentum on the priorities set out in our Strategic Plan. I look forward to working closely with Jarka and the Executive Leadership Team as we continue to deliver for our members and the communities we serve.

NDIS reform

The College continues to advocate for a sustainable and well-targeted National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that protects people living with severe mental illness and psychosocial disability.

On 9 June, I appeared on behalf of the College before the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. I raised concerns that some of our community’s most vulnerable people risk falling through the cracks if reforms proceed without adequate planning and consultation.

I emphasised the importance of meaningful engagement with clinicians, patients and carers, and warned that poorly designed reforms could increase pressure on hospitals, emergency departments and homelessness services. The College will continue advocating to ensure that no person loses essential supports unless equivalent, accessible and adequately funded alternatives are already in place.

This remains one of our highest advocacy priorities given its implications for continuity of care and patient outcomes.

Pharmacy Board prescribing endorsement consultation

The College continues to advocate for safe, equitable and evidence-informed models of care in response to the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s proposal for autonomous pharmacist prescribing of Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medicines.

While supporting improved access to healthcare, we have emphasised that prescribing is a complex clinical activity requiring comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, longitudinal management and clear clinical accountability.

Our submission raises concerns regarding patient safety, continuity of care and clinical governance. We will continue advocating for reforms that improve access while maintaining high standards of quality and safety and supporting multidisciplinary care without fragmenting clinical responsibility.

Building on the College’s March 2026 submission, the evidence highlighted the need for better national data and coordinated, culturally safe and trauma-informed responses across health, social, housing and justice systems.

The College is also preparing a submission to the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. Members with relevant expertise are encouraged to provide feedback through the Consultation Hub before 6 July 2026.

Aotearoa New Zealand – Draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Tū Te Akaaka Roa has provided a thoughtful submission to the Ministry of Health on the Draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026–2036.

Our submission asks a simple but important question: what will it take to close the gap between the strategy’s aspirations and what tāngata whai ora and whānau actually experience when they seek care?

While we broadly support the strategy’s priorities of prevention, access, workforce and effectiveness, we have highlighted the need for stronger implementation planning. We also remain concerned that people with severe and enduring mental illness, intellectual disability, neurodiversity and those in forensic care receive insufficient attention within the current draft.

South Australian termination of pregnancy legislation

The College welcomed the South Australian Parliament’s decision to defeat the proposed amendment to termination of pregnancy legislation after 24 weeks and 6 days.

The College advocated strongly against the Bill because it did not reflect the clinical realities of serious mental illness or the importance of evidence-based care. We worked alongside other medical organisations to ensure that mental health remains recognised as an integral component of healthcare decision-making.

This outcome reinforces the importance of legislation informed by clinical evidence and of preserving clinicians’ ability to provide safe, compassionate and appropriate care.

New South Wales and Queensland state budgets

The New South Wales and Queensland budgets released this week also highlight the ongoing challenge of securing sustained investment in mental health services.

The ongoing neglect in NSW of community mental health services and underinvestment in health-led crisis responses continue to place pressure on hospitals, increase risks in the community, and leave many people without timely support.

While the Queensland budget promised new funding to strengthen mental health, alcohol and drug services, and improved transparency in how mental health levy funding is spent, sustained investment and a comprehensive mental health strategy are needed to address system-wide pressures.

The College will continue to engage with governments across all jurisdictions to advocate for investment that matches the scale of demand, particularly for people living with severe and complex mental illness. 

Enhancing psychiatry training in New South Wales

Ahead of the budget release, the NSW Ministry of Health has announced an additional 10.6 full-time equivalent positions for Directors of Training, Site Coordinators of Training, Directors of Advanced Training and Education Support Officers across the NSW Health Psychiatry Training Networks.

These roles are critical to strengthening training quality, expanding access to expert supervision and accelerating the development of Australia’s future specialist psychiatry workforce.

This welcome investment reflects the sustained advocacy of the RANZCP NSW Branch under the leadership of Chair Dr Ian Korbel, together with the contribution of previous NSW Branch leadership and the many members working across the training networks who continue to strengthen psychiatry training and the future workforce.

The College also acknowledges the NSW Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Branch, including Executive Director Dr Brendan Flynn, current and former Branch committees, and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, for their ongoing collaboration, advocacy and commitment to strengthening psychiatry training across NSW.

New College position statements

Suicide prevention – the role of psychiatry

The College has published its updated position statement on Suicide prevention – the role of psychiatry, reaffirming the central role psychiatrists play in providing clinical expertise, leadership and advocacy within multidisciplinary teams.

The statement recognises the disproportionate impact of suicide on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Māori and Pasifika peoples, veterans, young people, gender-diverse communities and people living in rural and remote areas. It reinforces the College’s commitment to compassionate, accessible and evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention.

Minimising and eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint

The College has also published its updated position statement on Minimising and eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health services.

The statement strengthens guidance around restrictive practices and reinforces that seclusion and restraint should be used only as measures of last resort. It promotes recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approaches that improve safety, dignity and outcomes for people receiving mental health care.

Medicare bulk billing and Assignment of Benefit changes

Finally, I would like to briefly update Australian members on recent changes to Medicare bulk billing and Assignment of Benefit (AoB) arrangements.

Following advocacy from the profession, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has introduced a 12-month transition period before the new AoB requirements are fully implemented. This means verbal Assignment of Benefit will continue to be permitted for all bulk billed services, including telehealth, until 30 June 2027, while the Department explores further regulatory changes to reduce administrative burden.

From 1 July 2026, an enduring Assignment of Benefit option will also become available for eligible patients, including MyMedicare-registered patients, aged care residents, and patients attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Aboriginal Medical Services.

The College will continue advocating to ensure implementation remains practical and minimises unnecessary administrative burden for clinicians while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

In conclusion

Taken individually, each of these initiatives is important. Together, they demonstrate the breadth of the College’s advocacy and the value of psychiatric expertise in shaping policy, strengthening systems and improving mental health care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

I also want to acknowledge the many members who generously contribute their expertise through our committees, branches, faculties, sections and advisory groups. The achievements outlined above are possible because of your commitment, and I thank you for the leadership you continue to provide to our profession and to the communities we serve.

Dr Astha Tomar
President