With the Victorian State Election approaching, Neami National has released six priorities calling on all parties to build on the progress of mental health reform and address significant gaps that remain.
Since the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, Victoria has made important progress. New services and structures have been established, the lived and living experience workforce has grown, and 22 Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are now operating across the state.
But there is more to do.
Victoria does not need to start again. The next government needs to build on the reform already underway and ensure it translates into better access, stronger community-based support and better outcomes for Victorians.
Every day, our teams see the difference that good community-based support can make. They also see the challenges people continue to face when navigating mental health, disability, housing, homelessness and crisis services.
Our 2026 Victorian State Election priorities identify six areas where the next Victorian Government can make a practical difference:
- Reset and recommit to mental health reform, with a clear plan to complete the next phase of reform.
- Establish a permanent psychosocial support system outside the NDIS, so people can access support based on their needs.
- Make community-based crisis alternatives permanent and statewide, including a 24/7 community-managed urgent mental health care centre.
- Make housing a core part of mental health reform, recognising the fundamental connection between a safe home and recovery.
- Guarantee flexible youth outreach and recovery support, including permanent funding for the statewide Youth Outreach and Recovery Support service.
- Strengthen workforce and funding foundations, including longer-term, true-cost funding for community mental health services and a renewed workforce strategy.
Together, these priorities set out practical steps towards a mental health system that is easier to access, better connected and better able to respond to the whole person.
Neami National will work with political parties, candidates, government and sector partners in the lead-up to the election to advocate for practical commitments that strengthen community mental health and wellbeing.