Young people will have greater access to free mental health care and support, with a re-elected Albanese Government to upgrade the local headspace centre in Bendigo to a new headspace Plus.

headspace provides a welcoming, youth-friendly space and highly trained staff who can provide help with mental health care, physical and sexual health care, alcohol and drug issues, and work and study.

headspace centres assist the growing number of young people aged 12 to 25 years who experience or are at risk of mild to moderate mental ill-health.

headspace Plus is a new model of headspace with additional staff and capability to support young people with more complex and serious mental health issues.

The headspace Plus in Bendigo is part of more than $200 million election commitment by the Albanese Government to roll out 58 new or upgraded headspace services.

Nationally, the Albanese Government’s $1 billion mental health commitment includes:

• $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres
• More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services
• $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs
• $90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
  
  

From 1 January 2026, a new national early intervention service will launch, which anyone can access for free mental health support. Approximately 150,000 Australians are expected to use the service each year, getting free support early, without waiting for a referral or being worried about a gap fee.

Providing more free, public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help to relieve pressure on the subsidised services provided by private psychologists.

This is in stark contrast to Peter Dutton’s plan to increase demand for private psychologists’ services, which will drive up gap fees and make wait lists longer.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“Labor wants everybody, particularly young people, to have access to the mental health services they need.

“headspace Bendigo does such a fantastic job providing free mental health services for our local young people. The expansion to a headspace Plus will give them the resources to support young people with more complex mental health issues.

“Labor recognises the importance of free mental health services backed by Medicare and is committed to expanding these services here in Bendigo.”