Psychiatrists are calling on the incoming Albanese Government to act swiftly on its promise to grow Australia’s mental health workforce and make mental health a first-order priority in its new term. 

The College has congratulated the Albanese Government on securing another win and looks forward to working with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler to deliver on their mental health commitments and ensure Australians with mental health conditions can access timely specialist care. 

"Labor’s $90 million pledge to train 1,200 new mental health workers is a very welcome start to addressing the workforce crisis," said RANZCP President Dr Elizabeth Moore. "We hope the government builds on this momentum and works with the mental health sector to deliver lasting, system-wide reform.” 

Labor’s pre-election mental health commitment includes: 

• Extended funding for 30 psychiatry training places
• Supporting 200 GPs and other medical professionals to undertake the newly established Certificate of Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychiatry
• A pilot of 10 new places linked to Medicare Mental Health Centres.

“Australia is facing a dire shortage of mental health professionals, and people are missing out on care they desperately need because of it. 

“We’re hearing from Australians repeatedly that help is too far away, too long a wait, too expensive or simply unavailable for many. 

"Mental health services across the country are under immense pressure and cannot function without the workforce to deliver them. Despite carrying the second-highest burden of disease in Australia, mental health has long been held back by piecemeal investment and fragmented action. 

“We know that change is possible.  

“The mental health workforce shows up every day to support, care for and fight for the people who rely on them. We know their determination to make the system fairer and more accessible for Australians needing mental health care is shared by the decision-makers in Parliament. 

“Now is the time for the Federal Labor Government to make this shared vision a reality. 

“We hope delivering on their pre-election promise becomes a first-order priority for the government in its new term, because we can’t afford to let more people slip through the widening cracks in our mental health system. 

“This is a chance for the returned Federal Labor Government to be bold and ambitious - and take on the challenge of rebuilding a mental health system that truly works: efficiently, effectively, and equitably.” 

For all other expert mental health information visit Your Health in Mind, the RANZCP’s consumer health information website. 

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

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org. 

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au. 

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.