VMHPAA Submits Final Position to Productivity Commission on National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
- Shane Warren
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 July 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has today submitted its final response to the Productivity Commission’s Interim Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, calling for bold reform, structural inclusivity, and recognition of the full spectrum of mental health professionals already delivering care across the country.
The submission supports the Commission’s view that the current Agreement is “not fit for purpose” and urges the Federal Government to meaningfully integrate vocationally trained practitioners, including diploma-qualified counsellors, lived experience workers, and community-based support staff into future mental health system design.
“The current system has overlooked the value of people already embedded in communities and delivering care - often as the only accessible option in rural, regional, or culturally diverse areas,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “If we want reform to succeed, we need to stop narrowing the door to care and start recognising the breadth of who is already showing up for Australians every day.”
The submission calls for:
Inclusion of AQF Level 5+ trained practitioners in all workforce and commissioning strategies
Creation of dedicated psychosocial funding streams for vocational professionals
Transparent governance that values non-clinical pathways
A national credentialing model for vocational practitioners and peer-led care
The full submission is now available on the VMHPAA website: www.vmhpaa.org.au
“We are proud to represent a workforce that is already saving lives. It’s time the system caught up,” said Susan Sandy, Secretary of VMHPAA.“This submission is not just a policy response, it’s an invitation to collaborate for a mental health system that finally includes all of us.”
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
VMHPAA
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