Funding to Enhance Community-Based Support
Australians for Mental Health (AFMH) has welcomed the Federal Government’s new Disability Peer Support and Connections Program, a $517 million investment announced on 16th April. This initiative aims to build essential community-based mental health infrastructure across Australia.
The programme invites applications from organisations to provide peer support, capacity building, and community connection for Australians with disabilities under 65, regardless of their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) eligibility.
AFMH stated that clinical services alone are insufficient to address Australia's mental health challenges. According to Chris Gambian, Executive Director of AFMH, “For too long, Australians living with disability, particularly those with complex mental health challenges, have fallen through the cracks of a system that only responds to crisis.”
Building Foundational Supports
The announcement is part of wider efforts to reform the NDIS and develop alternative support systems. This reform aims to alleviate the burden on a scheme supporting over 760,000 Australians and costing approximately $50 billion annually.
AFMH noted that the funding will help establish foundational supports missing from the current mental health and disability systems. This is particularly important for those who do not qualify for intensive packages. “This is exactly the kind of support that was meant to sit alongside the NDIS but never fully materialised,” Gambian explained.
However, AFMH warns that short-term, competitive grant programmes cannot replace sustained investment. Gambian stated, “Right now, many of the organisations doing this work are forced to rely on fragmented, short-term funding.” He emphasised the need for long-term investment in these models.
The organisation is advocating for a comprehensive governmental approach to mental health. This includes the establishment of a national Wellbeing Act and a dedicated Commissioner to ensure cross-departmental collaboration in supporting individuals before they reach crisis points.
AFMH emphasised the importance of including mental health considerations in decision-making across all government departments, similar to environmental policies. Gambian concluded, “We must invest more in the communities and connections that keep people well in the first place.”
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that community support and peer networks play a crucial role in mental health care. As a result, AFMH believes that long-term strategies are essential to prevent mental health issues from escalating.
Last updated: 17 April 2026, 2:34 pm
