Australians can now access a free early mental health support service through a new federal government initiative, with the first stage of the Medicare Mental Health Check In program offering no cost mental health therapy.
The program is designed to work like a GP check-up, giving people guided support through sessions delivered by phone or video call to help manage anxiety, low mood and everyday challenges, with the goal of preventing symptoms from escalating.
The need for more affordable options is clear. Polling commissioned by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists found 64 per cent of respondents consider mental health support unaffordable. Recent figures also show the scale of demand, with about 2.7 million Australians receiving 12.6 million Medicare mental health services between 2023 and 2024. Around 43 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 85 report experiencing mental illness at some point in their lives.
Health Minister Mark Butler said early intervention could ease pressure on the broader system. “By helping people with mild or temporary challenges, it will head off more serious challenges and free up capacity in the mental health system for those with deep-seated challenges,” he said.
A second phase of the initiative will provide free low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy delivered via telehealth, without the need for a GP referral. From April 1, anyone aged 16 or over living in Australia can access the service if it is deemed suitable following an initial phone assessment.
Funded by the Albanese government and delivered in partnership with St Vincent’s Health Australia, the free service is expected to support more than 150,000 people each year from 2029. St Vincent’s chief executive Chris Blake said, “Medicare Mental Health Check In is a breakthrough for mental health support in Australia – ensuring that everyone has access to free, quality, mental health support.”
