Victorian Budget invests $512 million for mental health treatment and support

$492 million for additional acute mental health beds

The State Budget includes $492 million funding to deliver 144 new acute public mental health beds to address critical demand pressures, which have further increased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Mental health beds expansion project will include 120 hospital-based beds and 24 home-based beds, delivered across four Victorian health services.

The project will increase capacity, reduce pressure on emergency departments, and provide more support for people experiencing mental illness, who require immediate treatment in a contemporary, safe and high-quality environment.

The new hospital-based beds and services will be located at:

• Northern Hospital, Epping
• Sunshine Hospital, St Albans
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville
• McKellar Centre, North Geelong.

Once complete, the new hospital-based beds will provide more than 43,000 days of care for Victorians.

Learn more about the Mental health beds expansion project via our dedicated project page.
 

$20 million for community-based care for alcohol and other drugs services

An additional $20 million is being invested in the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facilities Renewal Fund to support the delivery of mental health and alcohol and other drug services across the state.

This funding will be used to develop modern approaches to recovery-based treatment and care for people requiring treatment and support.

Grants are available to eligible Victorian public mental health and alcohol and other drug services.

Learn more about the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facilities Renewal Fund via our dedicated project page.