Election 2025: Anthony Albanese pledges $1bn for mental health care

A re-elected Labor government will provide an additional $1bn for new and improved mental health supports, the Prime Minister has announced.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged an additional $1bn spend on mental health services. Picture: Jason Edwards/NewsWire

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Anthony Albanese has pledged a re-elected Labor government would provide an additional $1bn in funding for mental health supports, amid urgent ­demand for assistance and a shortage of psychologists and psychiatrists.

The commitment, set to be announced by the Prime Minister in Sydney on Tuesday, includes $500m allocated for a new network of the 20 “youth specialist care centres” for young people with complex mental health needs.

Labor hopes to address a so-called “missing middle” service, such that young people with complex mental health needs, including personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis, will receive access to intensive care outside hospital.

A further $225m will be spent on upgrading 31 new and existing Medicare mental health centres under a re-elected Labor ­government, while an additional $200m has been allocated to ­establish or expand 58 Headspace locations, to improve support for young people and their families.

Approximately 1200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers will be funded via a $90m commitment. Despite the Coalition’s oft-repeated position that it would retain funding for Medicare, the Prime Minister has muddied the waters, again questioning the Coalition’s commitment to health funding.

“Whether you need short-term support or ongoing care, young or old, we will ensure that a free, mental health service backed by Medicare will be there for you and your family,” Mr ­Albanese said in a statement.

Labor hopes the billion-dollar spend will reduce demand for private mental health practitioners accessed via subsidised services.

The investment received the immediate backing of mental health organisations as well as prominent psychiatrist Patrick McGorry, now executive director of youth mental health ­organisation Orygen.

“All Australians, especially young people and their very ­worried parents, will deeply ­appreciate this ground-breaking commitment to build the next stage of our world-leading system of youth mental health care,” Professor McGorry said.

The Coalition has pledged a $500m spend to double the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions to 20 if it wins government, alongside a $400m commitment for youth mental health services.