Media Release by The Hon Paul Fletcher MP

Morrison Government continues funding to support people with mental illness to transition to the NDIS

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health

The Liberal National Government is ensuring there are no gaps in supports for clients of Commonwealth community mental health programs as we roll out the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Government is investing over $121.29 million in Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to provide an additional 12 months support for clients transitioning from the following Commonwealth community mental health programs:

  • Personal Helpers and Mentors
  • Partners in Recovery, and
  • Support for Day to Day Living in the Community.

This builds on the Government’s earlier commitments of $80 million for the National Psychosocial Support Measure and $109.8 million for Continuity of Support – bringing the total investment in psychosocial mental health to $311.09 million over five years to 30 June 2022.

Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the Government has committed these funds to ensure people currently accessing support will continue to do so during this period of change.

“Some Commonwealth programs include vulnerable people such as those with mental health conditions who require more intensive support to transition to the NDIS,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This funding ensures clients from these Commonwealth mental health programs are supported to transition to the NDIS in the smoothest way possible and will make sure that any existing clients are not left without support.”

This funding takes into account the stage of NDIS rollout and the additional funding needed for clients still to transition in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It is expected the NDIS will be fully rolled out in these two jurisdictions from 1 July 2020.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said PHNs will contract with existing community mental health providers to deliver services under this funding. This will support clients to maintain continuity of support while they are transitioning to the NDIS.

“PHNs are well placed to ensure integration and coordination of psychosocial services for individuals and local communities,” Minister Hunt said.

“PHNs will work with providers and coordinate services based on local needs, taking into account what services and supports are already available, in consultation with providers, consumers and carers,” said Mr Hunt.

Minister Fletcher said the NDIS is also providing specialised support through the new Complex Support Needs Pathway, and a new ‘psychosocial disability stream’ to give improved access and support for people with severe and persistent mental health issues.

More information about the programs is available at www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/transitioning-to-the-ndis.