Federal Budget signals risk of more of the same on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia has welcomed continued investment in critical crisis and frontline supports, including 13YARN, but warns the 2026–27 Federal Budget does not deliver the reform and accountability needed to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention outcomes.
The Budget maintains parts of the existing mental health and suicide prevention system, but does not provide dedicated implementation funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led roadmaps already before governments, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 and the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan 2025-2035. These roadmaps are the basis for a system-wide approach that embeds social and emotional wellbeing, cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across the whole mental health system.
Gayaa Dhuwi Chair, Professor Helen Milroy AM said crisis support remains vital, but rising deaths by suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people show governments must invest earlier.
“13YARN is a critical investment, but no crisis service should be expected to carry the weight of a system that is not reaching people early enough,” Professor Milroy AM said.
“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mental health and suicide prevention must be grounded in social and emotional wellbeing. That requires a system-wide approach that invests in the protective factors that keep people, families and communities strong before they reach crisis.”
The Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement found the current Agreement was not effective. It identified weak governance, unclear roles and responsibilities, insufficient monitoring and accountability, and a lack of clear links between commitments and measurable outcomes.
The Productivity Commission recommended a broader reform architecture for the next Agreement, including a National Mental Health Declaration to provide a long-term vision for reform, measurable outcomes, a dedicated schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, and an independent National Mental Health Commission responsible for monitoring, reporting and assessing progress.
In February 2026, at the Joint Health and Mental Health Ministers’ Meeting, Ministers acknowledged the recommendation for a National Mental Health Declaration but agreed to prioritise work on the next National Agreement instead.
The Budget has now also missed the opportunity to establish the National Mental Health Commission as an independent statutory body before that Agreement is progressed.
Gayaa Dhuwi CEO, Rachel Fishlock said the series of decisions presented point to a serious risk of more of the same.
“The Productivity Commission did not simply recommend another agreement. It recommended the architecture needed to make the next Agreement different from the last one,” Ms Fishlock said.
“Prioritising the next Agreement over the Mental Health Declaration narrows the long-term reform vision. Choosing not to establish the National Mental Health Commission as an independent statutory body now weakens the accountability foundations before the next Agreement has even progressed.
“This was a Commonwealth reform responsibility that did not need to wait for jurisdictional agreement. Without independent monitoring and public reporting from a statutory body, we risk repeating the same cycle: commitments are made, reports are delayed, accountability is blurred, and outcomes do not shift.”
Gayaa Dhuwi is calling on the Commonwealth to urgently fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led mental health and suicide prevention strategies, establish the National Mental Health Commission as an independent statutory body, and ensure the next Agreement includes a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing schedule with authority for the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership, funding, and accountability.
ENDS
Gayaa Dhuwi reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively.
24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:
13 YARN (139276) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support
For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au
About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental healthcare.
Media Contacts:
Ben Signor
0448 627 820
communications@gayaadhuwi.org.au
www.gayaadhuwi.org.au