Report card finds 70% face discrimination across work, care and housing
A 2026 national report card found 70% of Australians with mental health challenges had faced discrimination despite years of higher public awareness.
On 30 June 2026, The Hon Emma McBride MP launched the 2026 National Stigma and Discrimination Report Card at the Dining Rooms of Australian Parliament House.
The National Mental Health Commission developed the report with SANE Australia, and the University of Melbourne partnered on the project.
Researchers drew on a nationally representative survey of more than 6,000 people for what the commission called the most comprehensive picture to date.
Another 68% of respondents said dealing with stigma and discrimination was worse than dealing with their mental health condition.
SANE Australia CEO Rachel Green said, “Despite improved awareness of mental health, stigma and discrimination remain deeply embedded in our society.”
Increased awareness has not led to better community attitudes, which reinforces exclusion, inequity and poorer health outcomes.
Rachel Green on workplace stigma
Workplaces were a major source of discrimination. In the survey, 43% said employers did not understand the impact of their condition, 36% said they were denied opportunities, and 33% said their workplace was not supportive.
Green said, “This report card shows that while attitudes may be shifting, people’s real world experiences are not improving and, in many cases, they are getting worse.”
Personal relationships were another problem area, with respondents reporting judgement, poor understanding and social withdrawal from family, friends and partners.
Medical providers also featured in the findings, with many people reporting discrimination when they sought care for both mental and physical health.
Housing and welfare complaints were less common, but the fallout was severe. Among people affected in those areas, 78% reported serious housing and financial insecurity.
The report sets a baseline for future tracking, and the next National Stigma and Discrimination Report Card is planned for 2028.
It calls for sustained, coordinated action across governments, workplaces, services and communities rather than awareness campaigns alone.
Related: Veteran support
