The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System will provide a much-needed examination to identify the system-wide issues in regional and metropolitan Victoria.
The aim of the commission is to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and promote more inclusive communities throughout Victoria by solving the systemic issues.
Read ANMF (Vic Branch) mental health royal commission news.
Update 2 March 2021
Final report released
Update 27 May 2020
The Andrews Government has announced an extension to complete the work of Victoria’s mental health royal commission. The final report and recommendations are now expected early February 2021 instead of 31 October.
The commission has continued to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus has affected its ability to engage with people and organisations, particularly in regional Victoria. These reforms are vital for our mental health system, and it is important to get it right.
In the meantime ANMF will keep negotiating new EBAs for mental health nurses in the public sector and Forensicare so the workforce is ready to implement the much needed reforms.
- Commissioners: Penny Armytage (chair), Dr Alex Cockram, Professor Allan Fels AO and Professor Bernadette McSherry.
- Expert advisory committee: Professor Patrick McGorry AO (chair), Professor James Ogloff AM, Ms Anne Doherty, Dr Gerry Naughtin, Ms Erandathie Jayakody, Mr Julian Gardner AM, Ms Honor Eastly and Mr Jim Williamson.
State Government media releases
Hearings
Timeline
- 24 October 2018: Andrews Government announces it will hold a Royal Commission into mental health if re-elected.
- 24 November 2018: Andrews Government re-elected
- November-December 2018: Andrews Government begins consulting with key stakeholders on the terms of reference
- 21 December 2018: Victorians invited to submit their feedback on what topics should be covered by the royal commission
- January 2019: ANMF attends one of 23 government stakeholder consultations to provide feedback on draft royal commission terms of reference
- 24 February 2019: Terms of reference released and announcement of the commission's panel and expert advisory committee.
- 26 March 2019: Royal commission officially begins
- 5 April-22 May 2019: Community consultations are held throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria
- 17 April 2019: Online portal opens for public submissions
- 2 July 2019: Public hearings start with evidence heard from witnesses with lived experience of mental health
- 5 July 2019: Deadline for submissions to the commission
- August-September 2019: Targeted engagement/round tables
- 30 November 2019: Interim report released
- 2 March 2021: Final report released after two delays due to COVID-19 pandemic (originally due 31 October 2020).
Commission updates
Submissions and reports
E-newsletters
ANMF newsflashes
Implementation
19 July 2023 Mental health and Wellbeing Act FAQs
August ANMF mental health and wellbeing Act implementation forum Department of Health update
6 September 2023 Mental health and Wellbeing Act Forum questions and answers
Links
For help or information contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or beyondblue on 1300 224 636