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National Mental Health Standards Risk Undermining State-Based Reform Efforts: VMHPAA Chair Issues Warning

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 June 2025


National Mental Health Standards Risk Undermining State-Based Reform Efforts: VMHPAA Chair Issues Warning
National Mental Health Standards Risk Undermining State-Based Reform Efforts: VMHPAA Chair Issues Warning

Shane Warren, Chair of the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA), today issued a strong statement warning that if the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists are implemented in their current form, they will severely jeopardise the success of major mental health and wellbeing policies across all Australian states and territories.


“These standards, as currently drafted, risk destabilising the very systems they are meant to support. If adopted without amendment, they will strip essential vocational mental health practitioners from the frontlines of care—especially in regional, school, and community-based settings,” said Mr Warren.

In recent weeks, VMHPAA has lodged formal concerns with federal decision-makers, while also petitioning State Premiers, Health Ministers, and Senators to draw urgent attention to the following risks:


New South Wales


Policies at Risk:

  • NSW Strategic Framework for Mental Health 2018–2028

  • NSW Regional Health Plan 2023–2026

  • NSW Mental Health Commission – Living Well report

  • Wellbeing Framework for Schools


Risks: Undermines rural workforce capacity and school-based support programs, placing community access and student wellbeing roles in jeopardy.


Victoria


Policies at Risk:

  • Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – Final Report

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022

  • Government School Wellbeing Programs


Risks: Contradicts Victoria’s commitment to lived experience and localised care models, and disrupts tiered workforce structures crucial to reform implementation.


Queensland


Policies at Risk:

  • Queensland Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022–2027

  • Every Life Suicide Prevention Plan

  • Queensland Youth Strategy


Risks: Threatens regional service access and frontline responders embedded in communities and school environments, weakening suicide prevention and youth wellbeing capacity.


South Australia


Policies at Risk:

  • SA Mental Health Services Plan 2020–2025

  • Regional Mental Health Plan

  • Education Department’s Wellbeing & Resilience Strategy


Risks: Contradicts decentralised community mental health planning, and limits delivery of support services in both schools and aged care.


Western Australia


Policies at Risk:

  • Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015–2025

  • Think Mental Health Campaign

  • WA State Disability Strategy 2020–2030


Risks: Disrupts implementation of stepped care models and regional workforce development, particularly in psychosocial and disability support sectors.


Tasmania


Policies at Risk:

  • Rethink 2020 – Tasmania’s Mental Health Plan

  • Youth Mental Health Reform Package

  • Lifeline Tasmania Workforce Investment Strategy


Risks: Jeopardises local, vocational delivery in isolated communities and undermines integration of peer and lived experience professionals.


Northern Territory


Policies at Risk:

  • NT Mental Health Strategic Plan

  • Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Development Strategy


Risks: Risks marginalising culturally adapted care models and weakening First Nations-focused vocational practitioner roles that are critical in community settings.


Australian Capital Territory


Policies at Risk:

  • ACT Wellbeing Framework

  • Future of Education Strategy

  • Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategic Plan


Risks: Conflicts with ACT’s whole-of-community mental health approach and could dismantle effective early intervention and school-based counselling programs.


Mr Warren concluded:

“This isn’t just a technical debate about qualifications—it’s a decision that will ripple through classrooms, clinics, community centres, and crisis lines. These reforms must include vocationally trained practitioners, or we will face serious service gaps at every level of care delivery.”

VMHPAA continues to call on the Federal Government to delay implementation of the Draft Standards until a collaborative, evidence-informed revision process is undertaken. The association has also recommended a Ministerial Advisory Group be formed to ensure broad stakeholder representation in the co-design of inclusive standards.


Media Contact:

Shane Warren, Chair

VMHPAA



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