Families across Western Sydney, the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains are a step closer to accessing free specialist mental health support for their children, with a site now selected for the new Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub in Penrith.
The new service will provide free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged 0 to 12 years and their families, with no referral required, and will become the first Medicare Kids Hub in the region.
Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and NSW Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Youth Rose Jackson today visited the site, which will be located opposite Nepean Hospital and near a range of specialist health services, including the recently opened Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
Refurbishment works will now begin ahead of the Kids Hub opening in early 2027.
The Penrith Kids Hub is the final of four Kids Hubs being delivered across New South Wales as part of a $50.8 million joint investment by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, with each government contributing $25.4 million to strengthen support for children's mental health.
The announcement comes during Mental Health Month as the Albanese and Minns Governments continue expanding access to free mental health care through a growing network of Medicare Mental Health services.
Across New South Wales, 21 Medicare Mental Health Centres are now open and have delivered more than 280,000 free, walk in appointments.
The Penrith Medicare Mental Health Centre alone has delivered almost 40,000 free appointments and support sessions, demonstrating the strong demand for accessible, community-based mental health care in the region.
Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs in NSW have already delivered more than 17,000 appointments and support sessions since opening last year.
Together, these services are helping make sure mental health support is available closer to home, reducing barriers to care and saving families both time and money.
The Penrith Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub will provide free support for children experiencing mild to moderate developmental, emotional, relational or behavioural challenges.
A multidisciplinary team including mental health clinicians, allied health professionals and care navigators will work with children and families to provide tailored support and connect them with additional services where needed.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"Free, accessible healthcare is a cornerstone of a strong public health system, and every family deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their circumstances.
"We've heard the calls to strengthen mental health support for young people and we're acting on it, building Kids Hubs in key locations for local families.
"This is about making mental health care easy and accessible. No diagnosis or referral needed - when the doors are open, families can just walk in and get the support they need."
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention McBride:
"Every child deserves to thrive, and every family deserves access to free mental health support close to home. That's what we are delivering.
"We know that getting help early can make a lifetime of difference, which is why Labor is investing in free, community-based mental health care for children.
"Already across New South Wales Kids Hubs have delivered nearly 20,000 free, appointments to local families - and soon Western Sydney children and families will have that same support at their doorstep.
Quotes attributable to Karen McKeown, NSW Member for Penrith:
"It can be really challenging when your child is struggling and knowing where to seek to support is not always straightforward.
"The establishment of this free local hub in Penrith will improve access to quality mental health care, allowing local families to get the support they need in their local community."
Quotes attributable to Trish Doyle, NSW Member for the Blue Mountains:
"It's fantastic to see a site chosen for the new Penrith Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub, which will bring free care closer to home for families across the Blue Mountains.
"This service ensure children and parents can get the support they need, when they need it, without cost being a barrier.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman:
*"*This is a life-changing service for our region. As the mother of a child who would have used this service if it had been around decades ago, I know it offers hope where there has been little for both children and their families."
