A NEW Medicare Mental Health Centre will be established in Torquay, offering free, walk-in mental health care to residents across the Surf Coast, Armstrong Creek and Geelong region.<\/p>\n
The centre is part of a $225 million national rollout of 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, funded through an Albanese Government election commitment.<\/p>\n
The service will offer support to people in distress, as well as ongoing care for those with more complex mental health needs.<\/p>\n
Staffed by a multidisciplinary team including social workers, nurses and peer support workers, the centre will operate extended hours and offer wraparound care.<\/p>\n
Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said the new clinic would deliver much-needed services to the region.<\/p>\n
“Labor want’s everyone, and especially young people, to be able to access the mental health care they need,” Coker said.<\/p>\n
“Locals and their families from across our region deserve more access to free mental health care and that’s what this clinic will help deliver \u2013 it would be a huge win for our communities.”<\/p>\n
“Whether you need short-term support or ongoing care, young or old, we will ensure that a free, mental health service that’s backed by Medicare will be there for you and your family.”<\/p>\n
In addition to the new centres, the Albanese Government has allocated $29.9 million in the 2024-25 Budget to ensure access to psychologists and psychiatrists at each site.<\/p>\n
The announcement forms part of a broader $1 billion mental health package, which also includes funding for headspace services, Youth Specialist Care Centres, and more than 1200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.<\/p>\n
A national early intervention service will also launch on January 1, 2026, providing free mental health support to Australians without the need for a referral or a gap fee.<\/p>\n
Election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW Medicare Mental Health Centre will be established in Torquay, offering free, walk-in mental health care to residents across the Surf Coast, Armstrong Creek and Geelong region. The centre is part of a $225 million national rollout of 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, funded through an Albanese Government election commitment. The […]<\/p>\n