Bilateral agreement marks investment in mental health care in NSW

A new bilateral agreement between the New South Wales and Commonwealth governments will provide $383 million worth of additional funding over the next five years.

This agreement will support a stronger partnership between the Commonwealth and NSW governments, which will improve the integration of data and referral pathways, and support regional partnerships and commissioning services.

The funding is spread across various services, including:

• 121.3 million for universal Aftercare services in NSW
• 106.1 million will be invested into headspace
• $84.5 million to establish 14 new adult Head to Health treatment centres
• $35.9 million to establish Head to Health Kids Hubs
• $15.7 million to improve perinatal mental health screening and data capture
• $14.7 million to ensure all people in NSW who are bereaved or impacted by suicide can access postvention support services
• $4.9 million to implement a Distress Intervention Trial Program to prevent and reduce suicidal behaviour.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, stated, “This landmark partnership between the Commonwealth and NSW governments will have a significant impact on the lives of many Australians across the state, including young Australians and children, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Commonwealth continues to negotiate similar bilateral arrangements with the other states and territories.