Victoria’s mental health sector and the Victorian community. 

MHV is committed to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing for all Victorians. 

We welcome anyone working in a dedicated mental health service or an allied service stream. 

This includes clinical services (hospitals and health services), community and primary care (community health and NGOs), and private providers. 

As the peak body, we advocate for the mental health needs of Victorians, focusing on building a strong mental health and wellbeing system and sector. 

We support our Associates and the broader mental health sector by bridging the gap between government policy and service operations. This includes sharing policy insights when new policies are released, engaging with the sector to identify policy gaps, and seeking input on policies in development to provide informed feedback to the government. 

We also serve as a connection point for problem-solving, shared advocacy, and networking, fostering innovation and partnerships across Victoria. 

We regularly meet with the Minister for Mental Health, hold a seat on the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Mental Health, and advocate on behalf of the sector. We also represent the sector on: 

• Victorian Skills Authority – Early Educators, Health and Human Services, Sport and Recreation Industry Advisory Group 

• Northwest PHN – Mental Health Expert Advisory Group 

• VCOSS – Statewide Peaks Network 

• Victorian Human Services and Health Partnership Implementation Committee 

• Department of Health – Community Redesign Expert Advisory Group 

Additionally, we run small projects to support the sector, including: 

• Coordinating the Locals Early Career program 

• Leading workforce development initiatives for the community sector 

• Managing the Lived Experience Grants process 

• Supporting the delivery of the Certificate IV in Peer Work in partnership with Wodonga TAFE 

MHV prepare an annual budget submission with the assistance of our Associates who share their insights to shape priorities.  

For the 2026 State Budget the process started a little earlier than usual which shaped our submission. 

At the time the key priorities were: 

• Continued roll out of the Locals 

• Workforce growth and continuation of early career programs 

As an Associate you will inform MHV’s advocacy to government. Associates benefit from collective impact.  As an Associate you will be consulted on the development of submissions – decreasing the need for organisations to lead this work in isolation. 

MHV’s policy team monitor the policy landscape and provide ready insights for our Associates. MHV do the heavy lifting on policy digestion by holding briefings and coordinating questions to government on behalf of Associates.

Associates benefit from access to networking events to support collaboration.

Associates benefit from sector collaboration events that showcase innovation or bring together interested parties to work on a shared problem.

Associate achievements and news are shared across Victoria through MHV’s heavily subscribed eNews.

In response to sector need MHV coordinates workforce development events at a discounted rate for Associates. 

Associates enjoy discounted rates to attend MHV events like conferences, symposiums, and sector breakfasts. 

As the peak body for service provider, MHV is focused on advocating for the systems that effect organisations as a whole, not the individuals. 

If you would like to contribute to MHVs mission, you can do so by donating.

Because government has identified workforce as a rate limiting factor for reform investment, we are really focussed on commitments to workforce growth and diversification.   

At the moment our Associates have identified concerns including: 

• The proposed Mental Health EBA and the impact the offer would have on allied health staff (social work and OT receiving less than a nurse for the same role) 

• Maintaining investment in the workforce pipeline and expanding this through support of the community sector to increase the growth streams. 

• Diversifying the workforce profile to increase therapeutic options. 

• Worker safety and the impact of occupational violence. 

• Not losing a dedicated focus on mental health workers and going back to whole of workforce approaches. 

Government has released the Next Phase of Reform Plan. 

Our Associates are pleased to know the direction of work but are concerned by a lack of detail. 

The sector is expressing broad concern that there are significant issues that require attention that may not fit neatly into the RC Recommendations. 

Housing, crisis responses, and meeting the needs of the missing middle continue to be priorities for the sector. 

MHV coordinate a Psychosocial Supports Network that represents NDIS and psychosocial support providers. 

MHV have made a public submission on the commonwealth advocating for inclusion of psychosocial needs in the design of Foundational Supports as a priority. 

MHV have partnered with RANZCP and the clinical sector to identify priorities from the mental health sector’s perspective to inform consideration of the AOD strategy: 

• A need for acute clinical interventions to be represented in a systemic way 

• Distribution of services and consistency of approach regardless of geography is required for integrated care to be implementable. 

• Funding and policy levers need to be refreshed to ensure accountability for delivery of outcomes. 

MHV is advocating for improved planning around the role of community-based services and investments in their capability expansion to meet community need. 

MHV supports advocacy for less frequent recommissioning and longer contract terms. 

MHV is working with VCOSS and other sector peaks to highlight the risks to market viability in the NGO sector. 

Issues of business sustainability are increasing and include: 

• the potential for loss of revenue due to grant lapsing or discontinuation of programs from a range of portfolios (housing, families and children, mental health, AOD) 

• Implementation of new rules guiding NDIS accessibility and funding. 

MHV recognise that the RCVMHS Recommendations to implement Independent Regional Boards has to some extent been superseded by the establishment of LHSN’s. 

• MHV is advocating for a commitment to independent oversight and advocacy of regional mental health in line with the intent of the recommendation. 

• MHV is advocating for consideration of inclusion of AOD services to support integration. 

MHV offers a range of courses for people working in or around the mental health sector, and beyond. We offer introductory courses which are suitable to those first entering the mental health field, and skills-based courses which are suited to the mental health workforce.

Head to our training calendar for more information

Anyone may register for a course with MHV unless stated otherwise. Look at the individual course info to find out the recommended experience level for each course.

Course costs vary depending on the length of course and student status. We offer discounts to MHV associates and students who hold concession cards.

Our courses are presented either online or at our head office, 136 Exhibition St, Melbourne. The location of each course is listed on the training calendar.

Registering for a course is easy: Just visit the registration page and fill in your details.

Contact our friendly team at learning@mhvic.org.au with all your questions.