The Hon Kristy McBain MP
Member for Eden-Monaro
10 April 2025
Residents of the Queanbeyan region will have more options for free, public mental health care backed by Medicare, thanks to a billion-dollar investment by a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.
A new Medicare Mental Health Centre will be opened in Queanbeyan, which will include a multidisciplinary care team – from social workers, nurses and peer support workers, who will provide wraparound support and care across extended hours.
It will provide free, walk-in mental health support and care for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs.
It will build on existing services available at Queanbeyan’s Mental Health Hub – opened by the Albanese Government early last year, along with Headspace Queanbeyan – funded by the Albanese Government.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Queanbeyan is part of a $225 million election commitment to roll out 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country.
To boost access to specialist care, the Albanese Labor Government has invested an additional $29.9 million to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists for every centre in the 2024-25 Budget.
Nationally, the Albanese Government’s $1 billion mental health commitment includes:
$225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres
More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services
$500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs
$90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
From 1 January 2026, a new national early intervention service will launch, which anyone can access for free mental health support.
Approximately 150,000 Australians are expected to use the service each year, getting free support early, without waiting for a referral or being worried about a gap fee.
Providing more free, public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help to relieve pressure on the subsidised services provided by private psychologists.
This is in stark contrast to the Opposition’s plan to increase demand for private psychologists’ services, which will drive up gap fees and make wait lists longer.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:
“The Queanbeyan community has long called for more mental health care options locally, which is why I was proud to secure federal funding to open a Mental Health Hub in Queanbeyan early last year.
“This service has been a real gamechanger in our community and we’ve seen a real uptick in demand, which is why we’re committed to expanding the free mental health support available to people in the Queanbeyan region.
“This new Medicare Mental Health Centre will offer multidisciplinary care across extended hours, ensuring that when you need to access support, it’s available to you – for free.
“We’ve delivered the Urgent Care Clinic and Mental Health Hub in Queanbeyan, along with more funding to Headspace Queanbeyan – and only Labor will improve access to free, quality health care across Eden-Monaro.”
