Collaboration • Knowledge • Impact & Influence
Mental Health Victoria has today released its Submission to the 2025/26 Victorian Budget.
The Budget Submission calls on the Victorian Government to:
Since the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, Victoria has been a noble leader in mental health reform. Mental Health Victoria recognises the significant achievements and milestones in the implementation of the mental health reform worth celebrating, including nation-leading investment of over $6 billion since 2021, the prioritisation and growth of the lived and living experience workforce, and the establishment of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022.
However, the recent delays in implementing the recommendations are hindering progress towards the transformed, consumer-led, rights-based mental health and wellbeing system.
“Mental Health Victoria recognises there are fiscal challenges facing this upcoming budget; however, we urge the government to prevent the vital mental health and wellbeing system reform from continued stagnation. This Submission aims to strike the balance between idealism and pragmatism which we consider critical to maintaining momentum.
A crucial element of successful reform is collaboration between consumers, the sector and government. For service providers and policy makers to engage collectively and collaboratively, we need transparency about progress, timeframes, and outcomes. Our Submission makes several recommendations to support this, such as the need for a detailed implementation plan, release of an Outcomes Framework, and timely updates to the sector. We cannot stall progress and expect a better system to emerge. The time for action is now.”
MHV has undertaken extensive engagement with our Associates and our Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group, to develop this Budget Submission. As we push forward, we must continue to engage the sector in the transformation, to ensure that the outcomes we seek are embedded in practice. This requires timely information sharing, as well as access to data regarding the status and progress of the reform.
Receive all the latest MHV news plus key headlines, events and opportunities from across the sector.
Level 6, 136 Exhibition Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
mhvic@mhvic.org.au
ABN: 79 174 342 927
Mental Health Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional custodians of the land on which it operates. We pay respect to Elders past and present and value the rich history, unbroken culture and ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to country.
Mental Health Victoria acknowledges those people touched directly and indirectly by mental health vulnerabilities, trauma, suicide and neurodiversity, and their families, kin, friends and carers. We acknowledge the ongoing contribution of those people in the mental health sector.
Mental Health Victoria values diversity. We advocate for a safe and inclusive society for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity, and uphold these values in all we do.
©
All rights reserved.
Website by Snaffle.