Australians on the Central Coast 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.

The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah will be upgraded to a full service and the Headspace in Gosford will be upgraded to a Headspace Plus.

Locals will have access to free, walk-in mental health support and care with the upgrade of an existing mental health service to a full Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah.

Medicare Mental Health Centres provide free, walk-in mental health support and care for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs.

The centres are staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including social workers, nurses and peer support workers, who will provide wraparound support and care across extended hours.

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.

The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah is part of a $225 million election commitment to roll out 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres.

Further, Headspace provides a welcoming, youth-friendly space and highly trained staff who can provide help with mental health care, physical and sexual health care, alcohol and drug issues, and work and study.

Headspace centres assist the growing number of young people aged 12 to 25 years who experience or are at risk of mild to moderate mental ill-health.

Headspace Plus is a new model of headspace with additional staff and capability to support young people with more complex and serious mental health issues.

The headspace Plus in Gosford is part of more than $200 million election commitment by the Albanese Government to roll out 58 new or upgraded headspace services.

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 Peter Dutton’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 Assistant Minister, The Hon. Emma McBride MP:

“Our government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services in the hear of communities.

“In response to growing demand, we’ll expand the Tuggerah Medicare Mental Health Centre.

“We’re also boosting support for young people with 58 new and expanded Headspace services and 20 new Youth Specialist Care Centres”, Assistant Minister McBride said.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP:

“As an emergency department doctor, my priority is the health and wellbeing of our community.

“Labor wants everyone, and especially young people, to be able to access the mental health care they need.

“The Headspace Plus in Gosford will provide Australians on the Central Coast with the free mental health care they or their family need.

“Whether you need short-term support or ongoing care, young or old, we will ensure that a free, mental health service backed by Medicare will be there for you and your family.”

ENDS