The Minns Labor Government is boosting funding to the Lifeline service and providing long-term certainty to the mental health sector through a $112.3 million investment in this year's 2026-27 NSW Budget.
The investment into mental health will take the pressure off families, save time and money, and ensure mental health support is close by and accessible.
The package includes:
- $43.3 million over four years for Lifeline to deliver its 13 11 14 crisis telephone line, as well as text and webchat services.
- $64.8 million to extend services under the NSW-Commonwealth Government National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
- $4.3 million to support mental health peak bodies.
This commitment will strengthen Lifeline centres across New South Wales to meet growing demand for crisis support.
The service currently responds to more than 300,000 calls and more than 90,000 text and webchat contacts each year.
It builds on the Minns Labor Government's 2023 election commitment to expand text and webchat services.
Mental health peak bodies will also receive one of the largest funding increases in more than 25 years.
Organisations like BEING (Mental Health Consumers), the Mental Health Coordinating Council and Mental Health Carers NSW enhance the voice of carers, consumers and the mental health sector.
The funding will be used to build capacity among advocates, deliver and promote mental health initiatives and drive continuous quality improvement.
The NSW Government will also extend a range of services through $64.8 million in funding under the joint NSW-Commonwealth Government National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
This includes free, no appointment needed walk-up services in Medicare Mental Health Centres in 21 locations across NSW. More than 37,000 people and families have used these services. Service varies from centre to centre but can include psychological support, support from social workers, drug and alcohol workers. NSW Health estimates the average cost of living saving is $90-180 per session based on the equivalent cost of private mental health services.
The agreement boosts the continued access to free mental no referral mental health care across New South Wales ensuring people can get support quickly, without barriers, when they need it most.
Other key initiatives funded under the agreement include perinatal mental health screening, to support early identification and care for parents during pregnancy and the postnatal period, and clinical in-reach to headspace centres, supporting young people with more complex or severe mental health needs.
As more people seek support from mental health services, the Minns Labor Government is delivering a comprehensive plan to support individuals and families.
These investments ensure mental health support remains accessible and affordable, helping families find the support they need, in the time and place they need it.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"Now more than ever we need to ensure members of the community have no barriers to accessing free mental health support and wellbeing programs.
"Knowing that support is easily available, and where to get it from can be lifesaving.
"We are making these investments to ensure those in need of support including young people, families doing it tough and domestic violence victims know help is available at the end of the phone, in person or at one of the many drop in clinics across the state."
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"Individuals, families and households are accessing mental health services more than ever.
"This funding ensures they can connect with life-saving support, in a way that works best for them, when they need it most.
"When times are tough, we want to ensure there is more free, fast and flexible support."
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
"Lifeline plays a critical role in our mental health system, providing a vital safety net for people in crisis ensuring that at any hour of the day or night, support is there when it's needed most.
These investments are about making sure accessing mental health support in NSW isn't hard, expensive, or out of reach.
"We are backing services that people can walk into for free, without an appointment whether it's Medicare Mental Health Centres, Kids Hubs, or support through Lifeline.
"We are also delivering a long-overdue investment in our mental health peak bodies BEING, the Mental Health Coordinating Council, and Mental Health Carers NSW, recognising the critical role they play in advocating for consumers and carers.
"This one of the largest funding boosts they've received in more than 25 years, and it sends a clear message that lived experience will be at the heart of how we design and deliver mental health services."
